what's the best word to 'fill in the blank' in this sentence?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Paraphrasing an unrelated exchange here, but let’s say that you’re in this conversation - somehow it just ‘feels like’ there’s a better word to fill in this sentence than the word ‘disparage’ (or perhaps there’s not - you tell me).

Her: hey, a tennis match is on, wanna watch this?
Me: yeah, ok, whatever, I don’t care
Her: what, you don’t like tennis?
Me: it’s not really my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t __________ anyone who considers it theirs

So, suppose you’re respectful of others’ opinions (i.e. ‘to each their own’, ‘different strokes for different folks’, etc) - is there a good word to fill in the blank with? The ones I’ve come up with are:

tennis? it’s not really my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t disparage anyone who considers it theirs (sounds like I’m trying to “use big words”)

tennis? it’s not really my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t dog-out anyone who considers it theirs (sounds like something a 12-yr-old gangster would say)

tennis? it’s not really my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t criticize anyone who considers it theirs (I don’t really feel like this is what I’m shooting for)

any better ideas? Thanks

2

It’s really not my cup of tea.

No need to say more. No one will assume that you’re judging people who like tennis.

3

Look down on

4

It wouldn’t even occur to me to say anything negative about someone who plays a sport I’m not interested in. If someone said to me, “you don’t like tennis?” I just say no, not really. I would never think to make a judgment about people who do. I’d never say something like “but I wouldn’t disparage (or whatever) people who do like it.”

5

“Begrudge”.

6

In case you can vary the wording a little but need it to mean what exactly what you’re trying to say, then :

It’s not really my cup of tea, but to each his own

7

holy shit… I think ‘begrudge’ is the word I’ve been looking for - thank you Ambivalid!

and thank you as well for the other inputs - “look down on” (courtesy of Hampshire) is definitely the ‘spirit’ of what I was trying to get to

8

I believe this word requires a bit more. You can begrudge someone their success, or the enjoyment they get from tennis - but I don’t think you can simply begrudge them.

9

In this instance, she would (or wouldn’t) be begrudging them their preferences. But yeah, it may have to be re-worded just a bit.

10

Perhaps:

Her: hey, a tennis match is on, wanna watch this?
Me: yeah, ok, whatever, I don’t care
Her: what, you don’t like tennis?
Me: it’s not really my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t *mind fucking Caroline Wozniacki in front of * anyone who considers it theirs.

11

don’t ask, perfect post/user name contribution to the thread!!!

12

I’d use disparage if I had to fill in the blank, but in reality, I’d probably say “Eh, not really my cup of tea, but, I mean, if someone likes it, whatever.” Truly I am a poet of the highest caliber.

ETA: For some reason I have a habit of mixing uncommon or “big” words with the most bizarrely casual/faux-street manner of speech possible, so “disparage” sounds pretty natural to me.

13

drown

14

Just say… Hey that’s you doing you… not my thing. Establish this early. .

15

knock?

Somewhat informal, but…

16

I’d go with:

“Tennis? –It’s really not my racket.”

or

“Tennis? –I just don’t see the advantage in it.”

or

“Tennis? –If you want to; I don’t see any faults with it.”
O.K. that’s all I got.

17

I don’t like some of those jokes, I love all.

18

…but I wouldn’t mind if someone else appreciates it.

19

“knock” if the second sentence must be used. But it isn’t necessary.

20

Yep, that’s what I’d say. But agree not in a formal writing context. More formally I might say begrudge or judge, depending on my feelings.