When I moved to Mississippi more than six years ago, I found out tomatoes is supposed to be pronounced maters. As in, "Them is some tasty maters."
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
“There is no such word as “heighth”. The word is “height” and ends with a “t” sound, not a “th” sound!”
My old man used to pronouce the word “draught” with a “th” at the end, but I’ve heard others say that as well growing up - perhaps it was a regional thing?
opps- should be drought (dry weather). And their IS an alternate pronouciation for it (”th” or a “t” is at the end).
So why can we have a summer with a “drouth”, but we can’t have a “drouth” beer during a “drouth”?
What's the difference between a motor and an engine? Now, a car can have an engine or a motor, but does an hybrid automobile have an electric engine?
Speaking of that, does anyone still use "an" instead of "a" before words that begin with "h"?
yitbos
The crossword puzzle clue is "hesitation sound". The answer is often "er". Does anyone say "er" instead of "uh or um".
yitbos
I've never really thought about it, but you are right.
I entered a small hardware store early one Sunday morning and started reading the fine print on some cans of wood stain. I could not find the answer to my question.
I took a can to the counter where two employees were standing and asked my question. One immediatly started reading the text on the can.
I have not been back to that store.
I don’t know, Dick. I kinda (oops!) like sonuvabitches—gives it more punch. Everybody knows you’re joking—sorta (oops again!). As in: The Democrats are all a buncha sonuvabitches. To say it correctly is a bit like holding your little finger out when what you wanta do is lettemhavitt!
There's a time and place for 'most anything, but when I hear people using words in the wrong context I think a little less of them.
For example, if someone is speaking correct English on television, the radio, or in polite society and suddenly pauses and resorts to crudities such as "pee" or "butt", it's obvious that he (or she) doesn't know the words "urinate" or "buttocks", "anus", "rectum", etc., or is somehow uncomfortable using them.
How can a canning company possible sell stuff that is “Home Made”?
That’s one we all knew at one time, but after hearing them misused/confused so often, our confidence does sag.
Yeah, I got so annoyed I looked it up once. Turns out it’s a dance. A nineteenth-century dance that was the forerunner of swing dancing. I had thought it had something to do with the county fair and cake baking competitions.
Using “good” instead of “well” ... AARGH
e.g. “good-paying job”, “I did good on my grammar test”, “How are you? I’m good”
Several years ago, I was hospitalized for a problem, it included difficulty with my fluid output, I was going wayyyyyy too much and too often. It annoyed me no end to have the urologist come visit every morning and attempt to discuss the problem, he was always saying things such as, "We need to find out why you are peeing so much," rather than a more mature, medically-appropriate, "We need to find out why you are urinating so much," as though I, a 28-year-old adult, wouldn't know what that *long word* meant.
How about a restaurant? On my local news station, they play a commercial for a popular all-you-can-eat buffet place, it makes me crazy to hear the gal say, "If you're looking for good, home made food, come to ____."
When I moved to Mississippi more than six years ago, I found out tomatoes is supposed to be pronounced maters. As in, "Them is some tasty maters."
Mooch: "That's not the answer to anything!"
Earl: "Whatever!"
The nicest cakes(baked by the prettiest most available girls) were “walked for” first. But it was a secret whose cake was whose, till the walk was over(supposed to be, anyway). Then eventually, all that was left was the old ladies cakes. Those were walked for by anyone, women included.
Oh Ouch, on the MSG.
I am prepping for a dive trip on 6/9. Ear drops, mask cleaner, Benadryl and sunblock... I can't wait to swim with the barracudas who like shiney things. I had to hide my dive watch one year. (RME).
We saw this great big turtle last year that was sitting at about 45' down, regally ignoring the silly humans that wanted his picture. I'd never seen a turtle turn his nose up before but he had an attitude. lol It was funny.
Is Adolph's still available? I haven't heard of it but I like to have multiple remedies on hand should the no-seeims get fresh with me again.
Sounds like fun! I liked a night dive I did once off Belize during a full moon, where dozens of eagle rays would float way overhead, between us and the moon. It looked like they were flying through the sky as you looked up at them.
Here’s a page on Lawry’s (the seasonings people) website about Adolph’s, so you can see the packaging. They have one with spices in it now, so beware not to get that one! You want the red-topped one that’s “The Original.”
http://www.lawrys.com/index.cfm?lry_value=products&prodtype=meattenderizer
I am surprised to see it has salt in it - but you’d never know, it feels so good on jelly stings or if you’re like me, I break out just being in the water *near* a jellyfish or where one has been.
As to noseeums and other bites- the very best thing I ever found was called “After Bite.” It was just a little tube applicator, like ChapStick, sort of, with a liquid roll-on. I got it in Mexico and bought more before I left, so I’d always have it.
When I ran out, I could never find it anywhere - and mosquitoes were bad one summer - tho they don’t usually bother me - and I really needed some. Lo and behold, I just saw some at Walgreen’s in the past week, so it’s now readily available.
Here’s the Walgreen’s info page on it, with a pic:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100117&navAction=jump&navCount=1&id=prod869122
Happy diving!
Screw you guys...i’m going home..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.