# Phrases/terms that aggravate the hell out of you **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 26, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894 "2020-10-26T02:04:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2020, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/381 "2020-12-04T17:27:51Z")
We’ve had threads and threads on “it is what it is.” Shame we can’t put a bounty on people who use it. I could retire a wealthy (and happier) man. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/382 "2020-12-04T22:07:51Z")
We could get all fancy about it. 'tis what 'tis. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/383 "2020-12-04T22:12:41Z")
“What exists, persists.” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/384 "2020-12-05T00:03:53Z")
nitch ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/385 "2020-12-05T00:06:03Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Maybe it’s been said… > > But the phrase “Anyway, to make a long story short”. Sort of drives me nuts. I’ll leave that as is. To make a long story short. That’s one of my peeves, too. I have a relative who loves to tell tedious, interminable stories about various petty annoyances in her life, and multiple times in every one of these tales, she’ll say, “Anyway, long story short…” and continue without any discernible attempt to shorten the story. I’m convinced that she doesn’t understand what the phrase means, and is using it as a sort of chapter marker. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/386 "2020-12-05T00:17:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > We’ve had threads and threads on “it is what it is.” Shame we can’t put a bounty on people who use it. I could retire a wealthy (and happier) man. In fact, in this very thread. See posts 85, 87, and 95. But how can one be expected to remember such pre-election matters? That was a long time ago… ---
**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:** [December 5, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/387 "2020-12-05T00:21:49Z")
As long as we’re including improper use of – or even non-existing – words: we’re approaching the time of year in the South when the DOT will feel compelled to mix their supply of road salt with water and spray it on the roads prior to an impending winter event. I’ve heard many people refer to this substance as “brime,” and the act of applying it as “briming.” 😑 (I’ve never had the nerve to ask any of these people what they would call the liquid used for pickling vegetables.) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/388 "2020-12-05T01:14:17Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > she’ll say, “Anyway, long story short…” and continue without any discernible attempt to shorten the story. I’m convinced that she doesn’t understand what the phrase means, and is using it as a sort of chapter marker. Oh, she may be self-aware enough to know that if she had her preference, her stories would be TEN times longer, with side meanderings into each character’s back story… By the way, I’ve never been in a group, at work or at the bar, where someone uttered the phrase "So, to make a long story short…” and no one’s rolled their eyes and said “Too late…” ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/389 "2020-12-05T01:21:42Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Oh, she may be self-aware enough to know that if she had her preference, her stories would be TEN times longer, with side meanderings into each character’s back story… You could be right about that. She may think she’s doing everyone a huge favor by keeping the story on track. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > “Step foot.” The phrase is “ _set_ foot.” Or just “step.” I hadn’t seen this before reading your post, and now I’m seeing it everywhere. I just saw a YouTube commenter declare that “Joe Biden will NEVER step foot in the White House!” 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/390 "2020-12-05T01:25:17Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > now way too many people who are unable to utter a sentence that does not begin with the word “so”. > > My Mother-in-law starts _and_ ends every sentence (almost) with “so…” The ‘end with so…’ thing can be associated with “one-upping” others, as with Kristen Wiig’s SNL character “Penelope”: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9gGvvdGWMKA/maxresdefault.jpg "Penelope: Man and Wife - SNL") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gGvvdGWMKA) She drops her volume at the end of her sentences but you can hear the “so…” even so. (!) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/391 "2020-12-05T13:07:24Z")
I had not seen the Penelope character before. Wow! She’s designed to be over-the-top annoying, but she was _so_ good at it (heh) that I couldn’t last past about 1:15 into the vid. Jeebus but that’s infuriating. And not watching much in the way of sitcoms for a couple decades now I have to say the fast swell & fade of the laugh track is pretty horrific too. Gaah! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/392 "2020-12-05T18:23:35Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > In that context it’s nothing but cultural appropriation in an attempt to be “cool” In that case, much American slang, including the word “cool” would be cultural appropriation. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2020, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/393 "2020-12-05T19:11:09Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > > “Step foot.” The phrase is “ _set_ foot.” Or just “step.” > > I hadn’t seen this before reading your post, and now I’m seeing it everywhere. I just saw a YouTube commenter declare that “Joe Biden will NEVER step foot in the White House!” 🙄 Do they mean “other than the 2922 (give or take) times he’s already done so?” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/394 "2020-12-06T05:42:57Z")
Has “game changer” been mentioned? That’s grating. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/395 "2020-12-06T15:15:49Z")
George Carlin had a bit where he was aggravated about phrases people get wrong. When someone says, “that’s my forte”, Carlin claimed it should be pronounced _fort_, not _for-tay_. He also insisted that the correct expression is “my old stamping (not _stomping_) grounds”. I’ve often wondered if he was correct. My casual efforts to verify have been unsuccessful. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/396 "2020-12-06T16:03:59Z")
“Forte” can be pronounced either way. > **[Definition of FORTE](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forte)** > > one's strong point; the part of a sword or foil blade that is between the middle and the hilt and that is the strongest part of the blade… See the full definition ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/397 "2020-12-06T16:20:26Z")
The phrase “‘tis what ‘tis” reminds me of Quebecois French. In high school, we learned to say phrases like “je fais ce que je peux”. When I went to college in Quebec, I couldn’t initially understand the spoken French, which quickly mutates from “j’fais skuh j’peux” to “chfeh skujpuh”. Or “je suis ce que je suis” somehow becoming “shooskuhshoo”… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/398 "2020-12-06T17:13:20Z")
Or in English, the every popular > Djeet jet? Nōd joo? Huh? ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Mona\_Lott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lott)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/399 "2020-12-06T18:39:02Z")
Did you eat, yet? No, did you? ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894/400 "2020-12-06T18:41:34Z")
K, less queet. Ok, let’s go eat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-terms-that-aggravate-the-hell-out-of-you/923894.md?page=21)