Posted on 10/07/2009 2:46:25 PM PDT by JoeProBono
IF you want to be a great conversationalist, whatever you do don't use the word "whatever." It topped a US survey as the most annoying word.
The Marist telephone poll of 938 adults revealed it was more grating to many people than "anyway" and less tolerable than phrases such as "it is what it is" and "you know".
"The impetus of this poll was a casual conversation where we started discussing those words that get on your nerves," Marist media director Mary Azzoli said.
"You hear them over and over again."
Nearly 50 per cent of people questioned said "whatever" was the word that bothered them the most.
It was the most irritating word in all regions of the country, and among both sexes, all age groups, educational levels and income brackets.
"Also, when you think of the meaning behind it, it is often a way to dismiss someone," Ms Azzoli said.
"It is irritating in that regard. It is much more off-putting compared to any of the other statement we asked."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
‘annoying’
Word.
It happened to Baby Jane? Whatever!
Here’s another contemporary waiter tic:
“Is everything tasting OK?”
As if they don’t want to hear it if there’s any other kind of problem!
There are times when I feel as though I went to sleep and woke up in an orphanage; only the lights are dimmed like it was still night and all about me are people huddled, staring at an open door while outside the leaves are slowly falling...
I'll ask them what they had for lunch and they'll say, "We had soup and stuff."
MMmmm MMmmmm MMmmm .... whatever...
I think we have fully addressed the issue - which has, on the learning curve, been a good learning experience.
Take it to the bank!
Trust me, you don’t want to know!
Actually, actually has basically replaced basically as the most annoying, but whatever.
Don’t you two start that up again. AM will ask you both to leave the thread.
“It is what it is” is the phrase I find to be especially annoying.
But ya know, whatever...
Yeah, well I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe you should see a doctor.
“HOPE” and “CHANGE” are beginning to get under MY collar.
If people could text without the light, their actions may not be as annoying. No wait, they’d still be annoying. (click click clickty click click click click clickity click).
wazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzup
I remember a Readers’ Digest anecdote submitted by a woman who experienced first hand the famous taciturnity of the New Englander. She and a companion were driving in Vermont when they got a flat tire. They were standing by the car looking at it when a local resident came by, stopped, put on the the spare tire, got back in his car and drove off without ever saying a word.
i’ve come to just do the three fingers up (W) three fingers sideways (E)... W-E... what-ever...
Actually, I do write “actually” a bit too much. I didn’t realize that it was annoying. I’ll try to remember that (I don’t think I use it in conversation though). (Hey, is “though” another annoying word?)
I did pick up the annoying “my bad” to a small degree but now check myself. I do say “unlucky” when one of the kids on my soccer team makes a good try but fails.
SUPPOSABLY some of the parents don’t like it, but IRREGARDLESS - I’ll keep saying it. ;)
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