Word Choices That Irk Me

[Chasing Embers]

Considering that English speaking members on this forum, not all being their first language, come from different dialects, pronunciations, and accents, it seems a bit presumptuous to take umbrage at how an individual speaks or types their responses.

 

[greeneyes]

Palette.

You win. There are others but this is the most irksome. It's very illiterate-turned-sommelier.

 

[greeneyes]

Considering that English speaking members on this forum, not all being their first language, come from different dialects, pronunciations, and accents, it seems a bit presumptuous to take umbrage at how an individual speaks or types their responses.

Somehow I had assumed he was talking about life in general, and not this forum in particular. ?‍

 

[Casual]

Considering that English speaking members on this forum, not all being their first language, come from different dialects, pronunciations, and accents, it seems a bit presumptuous to take umbrage at how an individual speaks or types their responses.

It’s ok to have standards. When I was learning French, I appreciated being told when I was using a word or phrase incorrectly. One can be annoyed at incorrect word usage without implying any moral wrongdoings on the part of those using the word incorrectly.

 

[jhe033]

Considering that English speaking members on this forum, not all being their first language, come from different dialects, pronunciations, and accents, it seems a bit presumptuous to take umbrage at how an individual speaks or types their responses.

Oh, I'm not referring to this forum at all. Whenever anyone can speak a foreign language, they have my respect. I also accept that people have varying backgrounds and regional differences apply.

I was thinking more about people of a common background and area, who say things that are jarring for the audience at hand. I'd term it more a pet peeve.

 

[verporchting]

Bigly.

That’s a grouping of syllables that should never have been spoken aloud. Or even thought.

Ook, Mongo bigly want Pterodactyl juice.

 

[verporchting]

Also “git er done” and “got er did”. That just makes the inside of my head itch.

 

[pappymac]

I agree with all of the examples previously posted.

I have often wondered about why "You are welcome" is the correct response to "Thank You." When used as a noun welcome is a greeting or reception usually upon arrival (example: Welcome to my home.). When used as a transitive verb (I welcome you to my party.) Neither of those usages seem to be a proper response to "Thank You."

I believe the "why" of using you're welcome as a response has been lost in history and may have just been adopted as a polite response to someone giving you thanks. It is probably just a shortened way of saying, "You are welcome for the thanks you have given me."

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I don't want to be the diction and grammar guy, but now and then I like to gripe a little about expressions or word choice that grate on me, and invite you to share a few of your own complaints.

One is the difference between "fewer" and "less." The word fewer should be used with any quantity that can be counted, that exists only in units. There are fewer people, not less. Gas can be pumped in any fractions of gallons, so you can say less gas.

If someone thanks you for something, unless you are a sullen teenager, don't say, "no problem." There was never any problem raised or intended. If "you are welcome" for some reason sounds too subservient, formal, or old fashioned, opt for something upbeat like, pleased to do it, or glad to be here.

What words irk you as misused or ill chosen?

No problem MSO! I shall make fewer mistakes of this type in the future?.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I am sure most are not taking umbrage at bad grammar, and find it just a bit irksome. And for me, at least, I give a pass to anyone not a native speaker of English.

It's those who either don't know better, or can't be arsed to proof read.

 

[BROBS]

I don’t have a problem with this. The implication is that there was no problem encountered and that it created no difficulty or obstacle to help me in a way that warranted my thanks.

I think it’s just a different way of acknowledging someone’s display of thanks and articulating the fact that whatever I did to warrant that gratitude created no imposition for me.

But analyze “you’re welcome.” You’re welcome to what? What does it even mean? You’re welcome to have some of my Cinnamon Toast Crunch? You’re welcome to drive my truck? You’re welcome to continue existing?

It’s effectively this interchange:

“Thank you...”
“Oh shit! Ummm, I’d have you as a guest in my home.”

I feel like the phrase, “no problem” is actually a more accurate retort. Spanish uses “de nada.” It means, “it’s nothing.” Same concept.

Thanking someone is my way of showing that I acknowledge and appreciate that he or she has performed an act on my behalf. As such, having someone tell me that it created no problem or imposition, by saying “no problem,” in my opinion, is a more desirable, appropriate, and relevant response than having someone arbitrarily demonstrate his or her willingness to have me in their presence.

The same perspective could be used regarding your suggestion to use “pleased to do it” or “glad to be here.” At no point was my level of pleasure in committing the act called into question, nor was my level of satisfaction with being there, so why should I reference either in my response?

Absolutely. I use “no problem” much more often as a response to thank you and I think it’s a more well thought out response than “you’re welcome”.

 

[BROBS]

The word "guys" used when a woman (my wife) is present.

Waitress drops off the check and says "Thank you, have a nice day guys".

Neighbor walks away and says "See you guys later".

Last time I checked, my wife is not a guy.

I do this all the time. I consider it leveling the playing field and calling everyone the same. Should she have said “Have a nice night Sir and Ma’am. “. Or “Have a nice night guy and gal.” ?

I don’t live in the south so I don’t use the term y’all but isn’t that almost the same thing?

 

[mso489]

BarrelProof, good counter point on "no problem." I think the diction, word choice, of problem, just puts that at the center. It sure could have been a problem to me, but I'll dismiss that. Whereas the Spanish "it's nothing" has an offhanded generosity to it. Of course, people hear words differently, and it depends how you hear them, and under what circumstances you are introduced to idioms. In fact, I did first hear "no problem" from a sullen teenager, but I think it rings wrong anyway. Even if you like the ring of it, it may be useful to know that it has a different sound to some others.

 

[mso489]

Lots of good points raised throughout, food for thought for me and anyone who cares to cogitate. A few additional ideas. Most of my "no problem" responses in person have been from people raised in the U.S. with English as a first language. I agree, I'd tend not to react to popular idioms picked up by folks who are mastering English; I'm only sorry my talents don't allow me to respond to them in more of their various languages ... what a great aptitude to have! I think "you're welcome" means, you are welcome to the assistance I have given, the item I loaned you, etc. It too could be taken wrong or amiss, but it goes way back in usage. Why introduce "problem" into the equation, say I. But I do appreciate knowing how others hear this; it expands my listening skills. I know others think differently than me (that's a good thing!) but knowing how is of some use.

 

[briarbuck]

"literally"

 

[stokesdale]

"irregardless" really irks me...I'm half illiterate and even I know there's no such word! Also "plethora"...why not just say "a bunch"?

 

[trouttimes]

Language is in constant change. Just look back in history to see how terms have morphed into other meanings. Some people have a harder time with change than others. When I was young, my folks hated rock & roll. I hated rap music for years. Things change. No problem.

 

[mso489]

stokesdale, there's a restaurant in my city named Irregardless, but the owner is pulling his English teacher's chain, from all those years ago. Samuel Clemens and Ernest Hemingway tried to simplify and clarify English prose by not using words like plethora and wrote some pretty good books doing it.

trouttimes, so true. Perhaps "no problem" will eventually be instated as traditional and correct, and snooty. Language evolves in unexpected ways.

 

[scloyd]

I do this all the time. I consider it leveling the playing field and calling everyone the same. Should she have said “Have a nice night Sir and Ma’am. “. Or “Have a nice night guy and gal.” ?

I don’t live in the south so I don’t use the term y’all but isn’t that almost the same thing?

It's something that irks me, that's all. I'm not going to stiff her on the tip or correct her. What really bugs me is when a cashier or waitress calls me "dear" or "honey". I'll usually respond by calling her "sweetheart".

 

[scloyd]

Absolutely. I use “no problem” much more often as a response to thank you and I think it’s a more well thought out response than “you’re welcome”.

I use "no problem" and "anytime" instead of "you're welcome".