Oxford compiles list of top ten irritating phrases

Telegraph UK ^ | 11-7-08 | Charlotte Bailey

[AnnGora]

something or other is a “no-brainer.”

[frogjerk]

How about the word “DIVA” with regards to anything from singing, dancing, acting, to cleaning toilets

[Hawthorn]

Most irritating:

Sincere, uh, thanks, y’know, from, uh, Michelle and uh, the girls. y’know, and I.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

“It depends.”

[FrankR]

I am particularly incensed by the growing inability of Americans to use "contractions".

It's no longer "Didn't...it's now "Did-DENT".

Likewise, it's "Should-DENT" and "Would-DENT"

I say, if they are going to murder those contractions, instead of "can't", why not "CantNOT"? Or instead of "won't", it should be "Wo-NOT". By the same token, "Sudden" has become "Sudd-den", "garden" has become "Gardd-DEN".

Maybe it is the influence of immigrants having a hard time with the conception of contractions and "silent" letters in English...I don't know, oops, I mean I "Doan-NOT" know.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

“Whilst”

[Tax-chick]

What does “sea change” MEAN, anyway?

[Paine in the Neck]

“sooner rather than later”

As a rhetorical flourish in a speech it was ok; as part of everyday language, it is ridiculous — seven syllables to say the equivalent of one — “soon”.

[RedRightReturn]

“IRREGARDLESS”

[Revolting cat!]

As an old Stalinist (very apropos these days) Jean Paul Sartre once sagely observed:

"Hell is other people!"

[Mad Dawg]

As in starting every answer when asked a question with the word So

Oh, I like So TOTally agree! Everybody knows the correct usage is, "So, like: ...."

[xc1427]

Back in the day.
What up?
Text me.
Diversity, respect, dignity, or any other “you understood” word.
I didn’t do nuthin’.
Whatever....
Bite me.
Using hate as a direct object.
Using bad instead of good.
Using a number to spell a word.
Dissin’
Hyphenated-American
Ebonics
I ain’t got no....

[fullchroma]

Great list but my least favorite isn’t on it:

Me: May I have another order of mashed potatoes?
Waiter: No problem!

Me: Can you please check my account for X, Y or Z?
Accounting dept person: No problem!

Me: Thank you for mowing my lawn. (Said while handing over $40)
Neighbor kid: No problem!

Me: This clock doesn’t work. I’d like my money back, please.
Clerk: No problem!
(Me, sometimes: Oh there is a problem. I had to take valuable time out of my busy day because this product is defective. The correct response is, I’m sorry for your inconvenience and I will refund your money.)

[Shire]

Worst ever:

“It’s for the children”

This one makes my husband insane. I go insane when somebody wants to “share with me”. It’s never anything good so why not just keep it to yourself!

[Gummi Bear]

“could be a game changer”

[fullchroma]

3. Actually.

Good one, actually!

[Frank Sheed]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whole_nine_yards

Fascinating, actually!

[Hawthorn]

>> “To be honest,...” is my favorite. <<

Very good, but even better IMO:

"To be perfectly honest with you, ...."

(As opposed to my being "imperfectly honest" with you!)

[Mad Dawg]

Rush says, “Lookit.” My wife thinks it’s cute.