# annoying everyday phrases **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 11, 2019, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916 "2019-03-11T00:10:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/61 "2019-03-12T16:58:26Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > **Sitnam** ’s gripe no doubt stems from all of the “life hack” and similar uses of the word. Tips & Tricks are not hacks. Favorable practices are not hacks. Adding jam to a ham sandwhich is not a “food hack”. I wouldn’t mind calling it a hack if it had to be seriously MacGyvered in order to work. Otherwise, yeah, just a tip or trick. > [@rsat3acr](#): > > I don’t like “no problem” in place of “you’re welcome”, they are not equivalent. And yet both of those signal that you are under no social obligation for whatever you just thanked me for. Not equivalent phrases, true, but the same release. Also the same level of being watered down to a set, required response. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/62 "2019-03-12T22:08:39Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > ^ I still say “nifty.” I like getting funny looks. :o I sometimes use “neato” for the same purpose. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2019, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/63 "2019-03-12T23:56:44Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > “Reaching out” makes me want to reach out and choke the shit out of the people using it. We don’t phone, contact, email or otherwise speak with people. We must ‘reach out’ to them, because we’re all just so fucking caring and made of fucking stardust. Came in to mention this one! Another business-related phrase that gets under my skin is “thought processes,” mostly because it’s next to impossible to ask about thought processes in a way that doesn’t sound like “what the hell were they/you thinking?” The phrase “pick your brain” is creepy. What’s so hard about asking “what do you know about [topic]?” As a user of the phrase “no problem,” I’m pretty sure it’s undergone a shift in meaning to take the place of the stodgy-sounding “you’re welcome.” This is especially true if I’ve done some small extra task in the course of my workday to help someone else, or come up with some easily-produced tidbit of data to assist a coworker – “you’re welcome” just feels clunky in those situations. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/64 "2019-03-13T02:58:35Z")
Every time a cashier tells me “You have a good one!” I really want to say “Thanks for noticing!” It seems to be subsiding, or maybe I’m inured, but I hate impact and impacted used to replace affect, effect, and affected. People have overused the term so much it has lost its influence. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/65 "2019-03-13T03:38:25Z")
“Sooner rather than later.” My neck breathing coworker (not even my boss) used to say it to me often. It’s been years since I worked with him and I still get a flash of the guy whenever someone says it. Must be mild PTSD. ---
**Author:** ![road\_lobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@road\_lobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/road_lobo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/66 "2019-03-13T05:21:35Z")
“this day and age” redundant and signals a dated mindset. “this, that, and the other” please strangle me posthaste. “iconic” in the 2000s: I am a hack writer, please strangle me posthaste. “iconic” in the 2010s: I grew up reading mass media in the 2000s, and/or I aspire to be a hack writer. Use your own discretion re: murder by asphyxiation. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/67 "2019-03-13T19:14:06Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I incessantly post this every time one of these threads comes up: > > “Can I ask you a question?” > > The usual dudes will be along soon to comment; Hey, guys! But why? If someone says that to you it’s pretty obvious they want to ask you a **personal** question. Do they really need to specify what type of question they’re asking you? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/68 "2019-03-13T20:17:20Z")
Completely unnecessary adverbs that people seem to think they need to say: She was brutally raped (as opposed to people who were _gently_ raped?) He’s fiercely independent (as opposed to people who are _halfheartedly_ independent?) They were tragically killed (as opposed to people who are _happily_ killed?) ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/69 "2019-03-13T20:17:41Z")
> [@Cindycat](#): > > I hate it when people say ‘my bad,’ or ‘bae’ or ‘boo’ instead of baby/babe. And when did saying ‘sick ‘ come to mean the same thing as ‘cool’? Also, people throw around OCD and bipolar too much with little knowledge about the actual disorders. I think the French-speaking people in my area use “malade” (literally “sick,” in the sense of being ill, but using it to mean “cool”) much more than the English-speakers use “sick” in the same sense. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/70 "2019-03-13T20:23:35Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Completely unnecessary adverbs that people seem to think they need to say: > > [INDENT]She was brutally raped (as opposed to people who were _gently_ raped?) Well…there \ ***could** \*be a difference - i.e., by analogy, murder is murder, for instance, but there’s still a difference between secretly injecting too much anesthetic into a patient vs. violent hacking someone to pieces with an ax. ---
**Author:** ![Stuntman\_Mike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stuntman_mike/32/334_2.png) [@Stuntman\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuntman_Mike)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/71 "2019-03-13T20:43:13Z")
The word “fuck” sends me up a wall. And, yes, I hear it every damn day. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/72 "2019-03-13T21:17:25Z")
I have ranted previously on the topic of “apples and oranges”. I am seriously peeved by people who say that I can’t compare apples and oranges. They are both fruit, dammit. They both grow on trees. They have comparable contents (i.e. vitamins, carbohydrates, fiber, and so on) and grow to comparable sizes. So puh-leez don’t tell me that apples and oranges can’t be compared. They are prime candidates for comparison. In fact, rigorous scientific comparison [has been done.](https://www.improbable.com/airchives/paperair/volume1/v1i3/air-1-3-apples.php) Confusing apples with oranges would be a mistake, and you would be justified in correcting anyone who did that. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/73 "2019-03-13T21:35:51Z")
I was going to try to think of something to contribute but honestly, I could care less. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/74 "2019-03-13T21:49:57Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I was going to try to think of something to contribute but honestly, I could care less. Heh. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/75 "2019-03-13T22:24:38Z")
> [@Mr.Duality](#): > > I have ranted previously on the topic of “apples and oranges”. > I am seriously peeved by people who say that I can’t compare apples and oranges. They are both fruit, dammit. They both grow on trees. They have comparable contents (i.e. vitamins, carbohydrates, fiber, and so on) and grow to comparable sizes. So puh-leez don’t tell me that apples and oranges can’t be compared. They are prime candidates for comparison. In fact, rigorous scientific comparison [has been done.](https://www.improbable.com/airchives/paperair/volume1/v1i3/air-1-3-apples.php) > > Confusing apples with oranges would be a mistake, and you would be justified in correcting anyone who did that. I read somewhere that it has been seriously proposed that apples and oranges be replaced by “apples and roller coasters” as an expression precisely because of the similarity of apples and oranges. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/76 "2019-03-13T22:47:00Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > But why? If someone says that to you it’s pretty obvious they want to ask you a **personal** question. Do they really need to specify what type of question they’re asking you? First off, “Can I ask you a question?” is a lazy screenwriter “tool” that’s been infesting TV and movies for the last 10 years or so. The correct answer (which several other Dopers would attest to) is “You just did.” I don’t think anyone has ever asked me that question that way. Usually, it comes out as an order: “Lemme ask you a question.” To which you say: Sure, No, or I don’t answer questions, officer. Every time I hear CIAYAQ? in the movies/TV it’s usually used wrong, i.e., an inappropriate time or situation. And it always sounds awkward. And, damn right, one should specify what kind of question one is asking in a particular situation. The intent isn’t wrong, it’s the inept phrasing off CIAYAQ? which I still say is a stupid writer’s “shortcut.” ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/77 "2019-03-13T22:59:15Z")
Forcing computer terms into everyday workplace language. My boss is the worst offender. “Let’s take this offline.” “I don’t grok that.” “Let’s drill down on this.” “Let me revert.” Of course he usually uses them wrong, so he gets his just desserts. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/78 "2019-03-13T23:05:21Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > First off, “Can I ask you a question?” is a lazy screenwriter “tool” that’s been infesting TV and movies for the last 10 years or so. The correct answer (which several other Dopers would attest to) is “You just did.” I don’t think anyone has ever asked me that question that way. Usually, it comes out as an order: “Lemme ask you a question.” To which you say: Sure, No, or I don’t answer questions, officer. When my daughter says “Can I ask you a question?” I usually say. “Just one. And that was it.” ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/79 "2019-03-13T23:11:02Z")
^ You’re my new best friend. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916/80 "2019-03-14T17:18:15Z")
Worse than “can I ask you a question?” is “can I ask you a QUICK question?” No, please ask it at a glacial pace. You know how much I enjoy that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-everyday-phrases/830916.md?page=5)