# Words/expressions I want to be eliminated from usage RIGHT NOW TODAY ENOUGH ALREADY! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 5, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609 "2014-09-05T20:02:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/181 "2014-09-08T17:54:32Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > It’s a bloody buggery POUND SIGN! > > (And there you see the problem; people old enough to remember it being called a pound sign.) Well, maybe to you. Over here is was most commonly known as a hash long before Twitter. Pounds (weight) are represented with “lb” and a “pound sign” means this: £ It’s of course still also a number sign, even if you aren’t ancient. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/182 "2014-09-08T18:09:59Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > It’s a bloody buggery POUND SIGN! > > (And there you see the problem; people old enough to remember it being called a pound sign.) We will all be dead in 20 years or so, and the problem will be gone. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/183 "2014-09-08T18:11:23Z")
“No problem” means, “it didn’t put me out.” It’s similar to saying, “it was nothing” (or “de nada” in Spanish). I think it’s appropriate when someone thanks you for some sort of help or favor, and sort of odd when someone thanks you for a compliment or a gift. Part of the idea of giving a gift is that you _did_ put yourself out in some way. As for a compliment, what would you think of this exchange: Person 1: That’s a lovely outfit you’re wearing. Person 2: Thank you! Person 1: Oh, it was nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/184 "2014-09-08T18:16:56Z")
The hash symbol (AKA “octothorpe”) is sometimes used on grocery signs to indicate pounds. This used to be more common. I remember seeing it mostly in small family-run grocery stores and produce markets. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/185 "2014-09-08T18:38:04Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > “No problem” means, “it didn’t put me out.” It’s similar to saying, “it was nothing” (or “de nada” in Spanish). I think it’s appropriate when someone thanks you for some sort of help or favor, and sort of odd when someone thanks you for a compliment or a gift. Part of the idea of giving a gift is that you _did_ put yourself out in some way. As for a compliment, what would you think of this exchange: > > Person 1: That’s a lovely outfit you’re wearing. > > Person 2: Thank you! > > Person 1: Oh, it was nothing. This old thing? I only wear it when I don’t care what I look like. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/186 "2014-09-08T20:07:11Z")
Wow, some unusual responses on the “no problem” issue. Maybe before anything else, it should be pointed out that more often than not, NO response is necessary following a “Thank You.” Someone gave the example of asking a stranger for the time. I would never expect a “You’re Welcome” after thanking such a person, nor would I give one if I were the askee instead of the asker. I invariably say “thank you” after the cashier at the grocery store has bagged my order and given me my change. There’s certainly no need for him/her to respond to this. And yet I’ve actually had cashiers respond “no problem” to this. And I’ve had this happen in a big box store when I’ve asked an employee where to find something. No, I never imagined that you telling me which aisle to go to would constitute a “problem”…you’re doing the job you’re paid to do, that’s all. I think what bugs me is that “No problem” has become such an all-purpose, automatic response to “thank you” in ANY situation, no matter how tenuous its connection to it, that it has become devoid of all meaning. I hear about as much sincerity in “no problem” as I do in the automatic “Have a nice day.” While “You’re welcome” may be just as automatic and devoid of meaning, at least it has a pretty long (centuries?) track record as an established idiom. I’m just not seeing any connect between “Thank You” and “No problem” except in a pretty limited set of circumstances. As someone pointed out, it would be too weak in a situation where someone’s help obviously did cause a considerable problem in the giving, and it’s too strong for most everyday situations. ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/187 "2014-09-08T22:05:16Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > all relationship portmanteaus based on the names of the participants, eg, Sheldon + Amy = Shamy. AAAIIEEEE KILL IT WITH FIRE > [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > eclectic\_wench: I don’t mind just “bump”. Or ignore the reason and say “I can’t fit in the booth/I can’t reach the stove controls.” If we can tell you’re pregnant, we’ll know what’s in the way. (And if you just have an ice cream bump, come sit by me!) That makes sense. ‘Baby bump’ sounds cutesy to me too. > [@Nava](#): > > If you don’t fit in a booth it’s a belly, not a bump. No, they’re two different things. ‘She couldn’t get into the booth because her belly/stomach wouldn’t fit in behind the table’ means she’s fat. ‘She couldn’t get into the booth because her bump wouldn’t fit in behind the table’ means she’s pregnant. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/188 "2014-09-08T22:25:54Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > And I’ve had this happen in a big box store when I’ve asked an employee where to find something. No, I never imagined that you telling me which aisle to go to would constitute a “problem”…you’re doing the job you’re paid to do, that’s all. But you don’t mind the insinuation that your presence in the store might have been unwelcome? ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/189 "2014-09-08T22:31:20Z")
‘‘Spoiler Alert’’ ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/190 "2014-09-08T22:43:25Z")
> [@Pai325](#): > > We will all be dead in 20 years or so, and the problem will be gone. Not me, mate. Based on family longevity, I’m not even halfway through my life. _practices yelling “GET OFF MY LAWN” at kids_ ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/191 "2014-09-08T23:53:08Z")
> [@vontsira](#): > > Our baby-talk / diminutive word for a sandwich, is “sarnie” – which Americans might well find sickening. > . Less sickening and more bewildering. No american could guess “sandwich” from “sarnie”. “Sanny” perhaps would make a bit of sense, although that sounds more like it’s a diminutized word for something ladies have to wear. Now _that_ would be a might sickening. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/192 "2014-09-08T23:56:57Z")
“Sinful” and “decadent” when used to describe desserts. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/193 "2014-09-09T00:27:01Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > “Sinful” and “decadent” when used to describe desserts. More specifically: When used to describe desserts of “only 100 calories”! When you get to the store, it looks about this\>.\< big. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/194 "2014-09-09T01:18:35Z")
Cops and the word “advised” in their reports. I approached the suspect, and he advised me that he had attempted to talk to his girlfriend and was advised that she didn’t want him there that night. The suspect then advised that he began arguing with his girlfriend who advised him to leave. The suspect then advised me that as he tried to leave his girlfriend advised she was calling the police, which she did. The suspect advised at that time he left the residence and advised that he would go to his mother’s house. His girlfriend advised that she didn’t want him to go to his mothers because last week his mother had called her names. The suspect then advised that he was hit in the face with an open hand by said girlfriend who advised that he should call his friend and stay with him. The friend advised… Do they teach you that crap at the academy? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/195 "2014-09-09T01:39:28Z")
ginormous sammie for sandwich. copacetic za ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/196 "2014-09-09T01:47:35Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > za This one puts me in a bad mood when I hear it. I mean, is “piz-za”, _two_ whole syllables, really too much to say?? When I hear someone say this I think to myself how much I’d enjoy telling that person how much they suck. Which, in case it’s not clear, is _a lot_. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/197 "2014-09-09T01:51:54Z")
Mani-pedi: it’s just too cutesi. ---
**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:** [September 9, 2014, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/198 "2014-09-09T03:05:59Z")
“Female” and “male” instead of “man” and “woman” or “girl” and “boy”—very dehumanizing. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/199 "2014-09-09T03:52:26Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > ginormous This, so much. I thought I was all alone. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609/200 "2014-09-09T05:17:01Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > But you don’t mind the insinuation that your presence in the store might have been unwelcome? No, because as I said earlier, I take “You’re welcome” to mean “You’re welcome to the help I’ve given you,” not “Your presence in this store is welcome.” I can’t imagine why I would think otherwise. Without my presence in the store (and by extension, many others’), the employee wouldn’t have a job. So it seems like kind of a given. Again, “problem” introduces an element into the exchange that isn’t there, and has no reason to be there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-expressions-i-want-to-be-eliminated-from-usage-right-now-today-enough-already/697609.md?page=11)