Posted on 05/29/2007 2:17:17 AM PDT by bruinbirdman
Readers have responded in their thousands to The Daily Telegraph's call to select the worst phrases in the English language.
Since our invitation was issued in February, more than 3,000 of you have submitted personal inventories of the damned, containing the phrases, aphorisms and clichés that irritate the most.
High on the list of grievances was the increasing use of slang, poor grammar and the incorporation of Americanisms into everyday speech.
Many of you shared frustrations over the misuse of "forensic" and "literally", while management jargon such as "downsizing", "brainstorming" and "thinking outside the box" also received plenty of nominations.
The Daily Telegraph has responded with its own compilation of annoying phrases, and She Literally Exploded: The Daily Telegraph Infuriating Phrasebook is now available on Amazon.
Here is a selection of your comments so far:
"It's not rocket science". Rocketry is engineering, not a science. - Tony
The phrase "up close and personal" was irritating to start with and has become hackneyed and meaningless e.g. I went on a river trip and was thrilled to get up close and personal with a crocodile - Margot Lang
I can't stand "to die for". Nothing's that good and even if it was, you'd be dead and wouldn't be able to enjoy whatever it was. - Vivsy
"Pushing the envelope" always conjures up for me some ridiculous scene in a mailing room or post office. - Nigel Brown
Why, when someone famous dies, do tributes always "pour" in? Also, when a plane crashes in the sea, the media is quick to remind us that the waters are always "shark-infested". - S.Winrad
Only £1,999.99. - P.H.Heilbron
"This door is alarmed". Is it really frightened? - Alan Lawrence
The infuriating rising inflections at the end of sentences that make everything sound like a question? - Steve Grant
I hate being addressed as "hallo there". My name is not "there". And why have all the cookery books and frying pans disappeared? What is a "cook" book and a "fry" pan? - Susan Byers
When the waitress plonks the plate in front of you and says, "there you go". Where do I go? Where's there? - Ken Clarke
"It will be in the last place you look". Well of course I'm not going to continue to look for it when I have found it. - Tom Batt
You know” inserted liberally in conversation
Used by “ her highness” in just about every topic she discusses.
Ending sentences with prepositions, and misusing “then” in place of “than” in a sentence.
This is so simple; it’s not ‘Rocketry Engineering!’ ;)
(And I HATE it when my kids call me “Ma.” Sounds like calves bawling for their mother.)
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Maybe you should seek couchselling. :>)
Yeah, what’s the difference between “active” and “proactive”, anyway? If someone feels there is one, then describe the antonym of “proactive” for me, that is not one for “active”, as well.
Knew that when I posted it.
It was topical.
“i”
LOL.
Also:
"Enjoy."
A "suspect" broke into the house, raped the women, killed the men, tore the place up and burned it down. Victims say they can identify the "gentleman" who did it all.
What really sets my teeth on edge is: "When we come back, you'll hear what she told Robin and I"...or "what she gave to him and I"...or, more recently "what she wanted from she and I" (at least that one's consistent).
Any of the dumbed down past tense versions such as:
dived instead of dove.
Uh, actually, it's both.
My son took a Spanish class last Spring. On the syllabus, the teacher had written, " First we will take a placement test, so I can find out where each student is at."
This from a MA in education !
Frankly, I could care less.
Or is it, I couldn’t care less?
Could I?
Frankly, I could care less.
Or is it, I couldn’t care less?
Could I?
” Blown away “
To where?
They also overuse "The fact of the matter is...", which is immediately followed by the biggest whoppers you've ever heard.
Ya beat me.
Guess I was care less.
Yes. Leftists intentionally create newspeak constantly in order to manipulate the masses. They've been successful at it.
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