Words, usages, and phrases that annoy the shit out of you...

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"Have a Cool Yule!" - I haven't actually heard this lately but because of the season I remembered this the other day and darkly mulled over its wankiness.

― Chriddof (Chriddof), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:26 (twenty-two years ago)

using "Cool Yule" seems like it should automatically warrant a knife in the face.

― El Santo Claus (Kingfish), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:36 (twenty-two years ago)

My father met Cheech Marin while drunk and got his autograph. My father is not the autograph type, but kept it because it is a small bar napkin that says "BE COOL FOOL, CHEECH." A man of few words, that Cheech.

― TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY (deangulberry), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I cant stand it when I hear someone say 'impactful' is that even a word? Impact is not a property, its created.

― bill stevens (bscrubbins), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:45 (twenty-two years ago)

It must say something about ILX that this is the most repeated topic of all time:

Four Words: Use Other Words Please
"Use other words please."
Commonly used phrases that inexplicably bug you
Most irritating cliche/phrase/expression
"Taking Things to a Whole `Nother Level!"
words that annoy
Words that should earn the author a slap
PROVERBIAL and other tip offs to poor writing

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm getting really pissed of with american interpretations of 'Liberal', 'Libertarian' and 'Conservative'

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I also get upset about "N-Word" as well. If you're using it in a critical context, people will understand that. If you're not, then you should have the conviction to let people hear it if you want to say it.

― TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY (deangulberry), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I hate "touch base" and "metrosexual"

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:55 (twenty-two years ago)

OH come on, let's touch bases.

― TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY (deangulberry), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, "metrosexual" is possible the lamest noun of the new millenia.

― andy, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Or is it an adjective? I don't know.

― andy, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:00 (twenty-two years ago)

If my dad wants to agree with something you've said, he says "This is true." It really, really gets me annoyed, for no other reason than overuse as far as I can think.

-- caitlin (wpsal...) (webmail), December 23rd, 2003. (caitlin)

Oh yes, yes yes. I second that one. And the people who say it, say it over and over.

― the music mole (colin s barrow), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:02 (twenty-two years ago)

But Ed, those words have different interpretations in almost every country in which they are used.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I blame the consolidation of global political power and the diminution of class mobility on people who write in the passive voice.

I also have a horror of people who write prolifically in all caps.

― felicity (felicity), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:07 (twenty-two years ago)

"It must say something about ILX that this is the most repeated topic of all time..."

This is true.

But, this is a topic that should be dealt with routinely and harshly... the only way we can correct the language and suppress it's organic growth is by exposing and banning every new usage as it occurs... Isn't that what the French do?

― andy, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Least favorite (mis)usage ever - "ON accident..." it's BY accident you fucking moron!!

Also: 'fridge,' girls who refer to each other as 'girl,' proactive...i'll be back when i think of more....

― roger adultery, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I know, oops, but still it pisses me off.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:54 (twenty-two years ago)

The recurrence of this topic is always accompanied by the recurrence of complaint about its recurrence.

― the music mole (colin s barrow), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 01:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Space. All this crap about needing space. Fuck off, then.

― Roderick the Visigoth. (Jake Proudlock), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 03:19 (twenty-two years ago)

All girls must now refer to one another as "guy"

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 03:30 (twenty-two years ago)

ok?

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 03:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Using "Sexy" in a business environment that has nothing to do with sex. As in "this is a very sexy proposal for our company". Well, I guess, if ripping people off is what turns you on.

― BrianB (BrianB), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 05:26 (twenty-two years ago)

'exact same'.

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 20:47 (twenty-two years ago)

"bird" instead of "girl" or "woman". AAAAAARGH.

― Melly E (Melly E), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 21:10 (twenty-two years ago)

When people call each other 'babe' and the completely inappropriate use of the word 'literally'. Also can I add at this point, even if it may not be entirely relevant, the unjustifiable grammatical error in Rachael Stevens' song 'Sweet Dreams My LA Ex' : "accuse me of things I never done." And I've listened hard for "I've never done" to try and give her the benefit of the doubt but she doesn't say it.

― barbara wintergreen, Monday, 29 December 2003 18:24 (twenty-two years ago)

"Begging the question" and "chomping at the bit." The first is almost always used incorrectly, and the second should be "champing," Goddamn it.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Monday, 29 December 2003 20:18 (twenty-two years ago)

or "bits"

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 29 December 2003 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

'any way shape or form'. Most heard in full-media-glare denials of misdeeds. Used by dodgy sportsmen who have been 'coached' by their minders for the occasion. It immediately strips the first dozen layers of credibility from whatever statement is being made.

'poetic justice'. Used by the lazy to describe all 'justice' the speaker approves of, instead of a particular type. The adjective is rendered meaningless.

Agree re 'bird' for woman/girl, and lament its threatened return. Stinks of 'I'm being un-PC, where's my medal?'. Also the C-person uses it, which kinda ends the argument.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Monday, 29 December 2003 23:59 (twenty-two years ago)

optics

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:00 (twenty-two years ago)

also photonic inplace of optic

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:10 (twenty-two years ago)

"the....(insert superlative)...in pop."

― barbara wintergreen, Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:19 (twenty-two years ago)

To return to the top of the thread, I still after 20 odd years gag on 'outreach' as a VERB....

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:46 (twenty-two years ago)

the mightily empty "i could care less" variant on being unable to do the same

― ermes marana, Tuesday, 30 December 2003 01:47 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...

People who pronounce the word "presentation" as "PRE-sentation".

― J-rock (Julien Sandiford), Thursday, 18 August 2005 07:29 (twenty years ago)

since i was reading some VICIOUS anti- rachael ray sentiment last night and i'm still feelin' the love: "E.V.O.O. EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL"

― s/c (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 18 August 2005 07:32 (twenty years ago)

"YUM-O"

― s/c (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 18 August 2005 07:33 (twenty years ago)

cf.

― gear (gear), Thursday, 18 August 2005 07:34 (twenty years ago)

Also: 'fridge,'

Wait, huh? Fridge is the thing you put food in, whats wrong with it?

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 18 August 2005 08:01 (twenty years ago)

Saying "it impacted on me" instead of "it had an impact on me"... well that's annoying enough but, just recently, I've heard people say "it impacted me" - which surely would only make sense if the speaker was a molar?

― Diddyismus (Dada), Thursday, 18 August 2005 09:10 (twenty years ago)

'fridge,'

I'm picturing him saying things such as "Would you like me to remove another beverage from the refrigerator for you, whilst we watch some association football?"

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

bougie, instead of bourgeois. heard it four times last week.

― naus (Robert T), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

"Chav"

― Diddyismus (Dada), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:39 (twenty years ago)

bourgie?

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:42 (twenty years ago)

"Yes, sir, I am bougie, I am bougie... etc."

― Win A Lie-Down, Mrs. Davies (kate), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:44 (twenty years ago)

"what the...?"

― jimmy glass (electricsound), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:46 (twenty years ago)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bougie

― naus (Robert T), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:53 (twenty years ago)

"He's on fire"

As used to describe a footballer running into a streak of good form

― Diddyismus (Dada), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:57 (twenty years ago)

chav, prole, "get one...", but most of all commercials selling relatively expensive goods such as electrcal gubbins, fitted kitchens and the like where people say only "one-nine-nine-nine" instead of "nominally under two thousand quid". do you think not actually saying the proper number is fooling me?!!?!!

― stelf)xxx, Thursday, 18 August 2005 11:01 (twenty years ago)

"Raft"

When used in phrases like "a raft of policies" or "a raft of new measures" - why?!?!??!!?

― Diddyismus (Dada), Thursday, 18 August 2005 11:03 (twenty years ago)

which surely would only make sense if the speaker was a molar?

Or a colon.

COINKY-DINK, "guestimate," and any time someone ends an interrogative sentence with "at," as in "Where's my keys at?" or "Where's your head at?"

― pullapartgirl (pullapartgirl), Thursday, 18 August 2005 11:22 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 12292 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Yes plus the laundry detergent they will need after playing.

― kim jong illin' (Ye Mad Puffin), Wednesday, 29 April 2026 21:55 (one month ago)

I believe you are supposed to imagine a sea of crimson-jerseyed players rolling down the field like a great tide

― whimsical skeedaddler (Moodles), Wednesday, 29 April 2026 22:19 (one month ago)

you're really not gonna like the Ole Miss one

― fluffy tufts university (f. hazel), Wednesday, 29 April 2026 23:30 (one month ago)

"Completionist" instead of "completist."

― jaymc, Friday, 1 May 2026 13:50 (four weeks ago)

does this thread also cover punctuation?

the smart quotes in the American politics thread title.

― koogs, Saturday, 2 May 2026 01:54 (three weeks ago)

smart quotes are good, but so fickle

― mookieproof, Saturday, 2 May 2026 02:33 (three weeks ago)

it's more the way ilx doesn't know how to render them the first time it sees them so the bookmark replaces them with ?s

― koogs, Saturday, 2 May 2026 04:32 (three weeks ago)

true

― mookieproof, Saturday, 2 May 2026 04:35 (three weeks ago)

the second close quote is actually straight. but both apostrophes are also 'smart' so there's a lot going on there. roll on June.

― koogs, Saturday, 2 May 2026 08:19 (three weeks ago)

extremely important for everyone to read the same Donald Trump quote several times a day for a month

― Sgt. Biscuits, Saturday, 2 May 2026 10:29 (three weeks ago)

two weeks pass...

early doors

picky bits/picky tea

― salsa shark, Friday, 22 May 2026 16:04 (one week ago)

school night

Picky bits sounds like something I need to see a GP about.

― einstürzende louboutin (suzy), Friday, 22 May 2026 16:12 (one week ago)

did "early doors" become popular recently? I'd only noticed it a couple months ago

― symsymsym, Friday, 22 May 2026 16:26 (one week ago)

Early doors has been used on ILX about pub timings since the beginning. It’s not new!

― einstürzende louboutin (suzy), Friday, 22 May 2026 16:31 (one week ago)

Not a fan of advertisers trying to make "deo" a thing but that's probably just cos I hate advertising

― Wildfowler (Noodle Vague), Friday, 22 May 2026 16:44 (one week ago)

"early doors" is one of those UK specific slangs that I'm sure is going to creep into the US soon the way "jab" did which will make me hate it even more

― I? not I! He! He! HIM! (akm), Friday, 22 May 2026 16:52 (one week ago)

Not a fan of advertisers trying to make "deo" a thing but that's probably just cos I hate advertising

― Wildfowler (Noodle Vague)

How would you feel if we started referring to it as Ronnie James?

"Fuck man, you stink, get some Ronnie James out."

― emil.y, Friday, 22 May 2026 17:11 (one week ago)

"early doors" is one of those UK specific slangs that I'm sure is going to creep into the US soon

we already consider the s/t and Strange Days to be the band's strongest work here in America

― fluffy tufts university (f. hazel), Friday, 22 May 2026 17:12 (one week ago)

LA Woman would like a word

― Cow_Art, Friday, 22 May 2026 18:29 (one week ago)

Uhh *Morrison Hotel* would like a word with LA Woman

― Andy the Grasshopper, Friday, 22 May 2026 18:31 (one week ago)

Tracer Hand mentioned it nine years ago, but "good good" annoys me. It might be a "nine years ago" thing. It has been a long time since I heard it. I remember wondering at the time, all those years ago, way back when, if it was something to do with the Second World War, or the Keep Calm and Carry on Posters, or Joanna Lumley. It feels like an imitation of something that a sensible person might have said circa 1941.

"I am Francesca!" That was from the intro to the old NES game The Krion Conquest. In Japan it was called Magical Kids Doropie. The main character was a cute witch called Doropie, which was apparently a transliteration of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. That wouldn't cut it internationally so the US importers renamed her Francesca. This paragraph is completely off-topic but I couldn't find anywhere else for it to go.

Nine years ago wasn't 1941! It was 2015. No, it was 2017. I added when I should have subtracted. I mean, I added backwards. I went backwards, and then went backwards one more year. I should have gone backwards ten years and then moved forward one year. Not backwards. Nobody says "bad bad", right?

― Ashley Pomeroy, Friday, 22 May 2026 18:38 (one week ago)

dismal stuff thanks again

― unclear apocalypse (wins), Friday, 22 May 2026 21:39 (one week ago)

chippy tea
havin a brew

― mahb, Saturday, 23 May 2026 22:24 (six days ago)

i guess 'pre-owned' is now largely accepted for things that were once called 'used'? which is of course absurd in in its own right, but

now there are ads for (the) Vintage (app) using the term 'pre-loved'

― mookieproof, Sunday, 24 May 2026 03:13 (five days ago)

"pre-loved" has been a thing here (UK) for many years. Books, clothes, etc.

― kinder, Sunday, 24 May 2026 06:57 (five days ago)

the letter e

― Wichita Referee's Assistant (darraghmac), Sunday, 24 May 2026 08:46 (five days ago)

"Slug"--as in, "the Jays need more slug in their lineup." Hearing that a lot the last few months...not "power," not even "slugging," but "slug." Wish I were still doing parent-teacher interviews: "Your child works hard, but he needs more think."

― clemenza, Sunday, 24 May 2026 15:09 (five days ago)

cf. “compute” as noun. I’ve also heard “slew” used like that. Not a fan.

― ed.b, Sunday, 24 May 2026 15:12 (five days ago)

did you also notice this first in the Jodi Dean piece from the AI thread? because i did, and i legit had to read the sentence a few times. i didn’t understand it.

― a tv star not a dirty computer man (the table is the table), Sunday, 24 May 2026 19:17 (five days ago)

still don’t, think it’s lazy

― a tv star not a dirty computer man (the table is the table), Sunday, 24 May 2026 19:17 (five days ago)

"Wrong answers only" was once a mostly harmless whimsy thing. Now it has become transparent engagement bait. Sad.

― Buffalo buffalo Springfield buffalo (Ye Mad Puffin), Monday, 25 May 2026 03:19 (four days ago)

‘YouTuber’. Wince when I read it, as in https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/25/cheese-rolling-german-youtuber-tom-kopke-beats-all-time-champion-chris-anderson

― Dan Worsley, Monday, 25 May 2026 15:15 (four days ago)

dunno i really fucking hate “influencer” youtuber seems practically benign next to influencer

― put a peptide in your step (Hunt3r), Monday, 25 May 2026 17:05 (four days ago)

Hate them both, but "influencer" is even worse for me too. The idea that these influencers are actually influencing anybody is too depressing to contemplate.

― clemenza, Monday, 25 May 2026 21:00 (four days ago)

"Influencer" is the new "famous for being famous."

― cryptosicko, Monday, 25 May 2026 21:01 (four days ago)

just read some annoying realtor-speak... describing a vacant lot as a 'product'

“I think it’s a very fair price, considering where it is,” Emanuel said. “We just started our marketing of the product."

― Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 27 May 2026 23:03 (two days ago)

Deliverables. Just call a task, a task.

― einstürzende louboutin (suzy), Thursday, 28 May 2026 07:15 (yesterday)

Americans ordering food: "Let me do a..."
British people calling food/drink "cheeky" ("I had a cheeky pint on the way home")

― Sam Weller, Thursday, 28 May 2026 11:48 (yesterday)

"several" is an annoying imprecise word imo. it's more than a few, so 5 or more? no more than a dozen, so 5-11? heaps.

― brimstead, Friday, 29 May 2026 00:53 (thirteen hours ago)

Someone on the street whatsapp got chided for taking someone else's wheelie bin. "I think the blue job needs changing to a pink one", his wife said. "I need to check the numbers in future but I probably still won't. Think it is a blue brain thing" he said. Barf, even if it was meant in jest. Of course I then went back to my DIY task of putting up a garden trellis and said to my wife "lucky you have someone to do these blue jobs, eh?"

― stick your cheffing job (ledge), Friday, 29 May 2026 07:41 (seven hours ago)

message them privately and ask them if they realize blue and pink jobs are teenage slang for sex acts

― fluffy tufts university (f. hazel), Friday, 29 May 2026 14:32 (thirteen minutes ago)

There are blue jobs and pink jobs around the house now? BARF.

― einstürzende louboutin (suzy), Friday, 29 May 2026 14:42 (three minutes ago)

yeah not good

― The Immortal Bird of Avon (Boring, Maryland), Friday, 29 May 2026 14:45 (forty-seven seconds ago)

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