"AT THE END OF THE DAY" named most irritating cliche

Associated Press ^ | 3/24/2004

[sinkspur]

LONDON - At the end of the day, it's the most irritating cliche in the English language.

So says the Plain English Campaign which said the abused and overused phrase was first in a poll of most annoying cliches.

Second place went to "at this moment in time," and third to the constant use of "like," as if it were a form of punctuation. "With all due respect" came fourth.

"When readers or listeners come across these tired expressions, they start tuning out and completely miss the message -- assuming there is one," said Plain English Campaign spokesman John Lister.

"Using these terms in daily business is about as professional as wearing a novelty tie or having a wacky ring-tone on your phone."

Lister said people should follow the 1946 advice of writer George Orwell: "Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print."

The Plain English Campaign, which offers annual awards for good use of the language, surveyed its 5,000 supporters in more than 70 countries for the poll.

Other terms that received multiple nominations included: 24/7; absolutely; address the issue; around (in place of about); awesome; ballpark figure; basically; basis ("on a weekly basis" in place of "weekly" and so on); bear with me; between a rock and a hard place; bottom line; crack troops; glass half full (or half empty); I hear what you're saying; in terms of; it's not rocket science; literally; move the goal-posts; ongoing; prioritize; pushing the envelope; singing from the same hymn sheet; the fact of the matter is; thinking outside the box; to be honest/to be honest with you/to be perfectly honest and touch base.

Formed in 1979, the Plain English Campaign is an independent group that campaigns against cliches, jargon and obfuscation, particularly in official and public documents.

[THUNDER ROAD]

Hey Eggs , here's one you'll appreciate..
when someone is explaining something , and then
the other person repeats it back in their Own words
the first person jumps up and says " EXACTLY " ,
with undue exuberance !!
That one is getting Old Real Quick !

.....THUNDER.....

[onyx]

Inside joke:
"well deacon"
LOL :)

[Yaelle]

"At the end of the day" seems to be an East Coast (NY area) phenomenon. When I first heard my New Yorker boss use that phrase, I actually thought he was speaking about the end of that business day. I had never heard it before out west.

[Fresh Wind]

If I hear Hannity say "let not your heart be troubled" one more time, I will scream.

[BSunday]

How about this one - "irregardless". What the %$#@ is that ? It's not even a word !

[Steve0113]

Most incorrectly used (including on FR): "That begs the question..."

Major pet peeve there. It's used instead of, "That raises the question..."

Even on FR, it's rarely used correctly.

[BSunday]

The real most irritating phrase - "Hi. I'm John Kerry"

[BluH2o]

I've heard Hannity use "at the end of the day" over and over again in the same story.

Agree ... especially in light of the fact it was the Clintonistas who used the term so frequently, back in the days when they were constantly spinning the latest Clinton debacle on TV.

[BluH2o]

I've heard Hannity use "at the end of the day" over and over again in the same story.

Agree ... especially in light of the fact it was the Clintonistas who used the term so frequently, back in the days when they were constantly spinning the latest Clinton debacle on TV.

[Varmint Al]

"I want to make a difference"

This is pure liberal speak. No matter what a person does, it makes a difference. It is absolutely meaningless statement. It makes liberals feel good. I like the conservative saying: "Words mean things." but I must add; only sometimes.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[BSunday]

Tips For Writing Good WELL

Doh!

[ValerieUSA]

Thank you for taking my call.

[Redcloak]

When all's said and done, it is a pretty annoying cliché

[BSunday]

Well said!

[sinkspur]

Or try "I want to work with people."

I'd rather work with animals, myself.

[rightwingcrazy]

You are a cranky bunch. What you consider "cliche" is just a personal judgment of overuse or abuse. I look forward to a "good morning" every day from each of my friends and colleagues. If you consider that cliche, I consider you a sourpuss.

[Mr. Lucky]

Annoying cliches just aren't my cup of tea.

[ru4liberty]

The only thing more irritating than the phrase "at the end of the day" is the phrase "at the end of the day" coming out of McAwful's pie hole. It'll make you wanna slap your grandma!

[N. Theknow]

Even more errant is the phrase, "I could care less."

If they could then why say so?

It should be, "I could NOT care less."

[ValerieUSA]

I wonder about some of the cliches in personal ads.
There are people living in Kansas who claim "long walks on the beach" as a favorite activity.