Oxford's Top Ten Most Irritating Phrases - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 11-13-2008, 12:30 AM

got this in an email from my journalism teacher, thought it'd be interesting to share

_____

Oxford compiles list of top ten irritating phrases
A top 10 of irritating expressions has been compiled by researchers at Oxford University.

By Charlotte Bailey
Last Updated: 3:18PM GMT 08 Nov 2008

Heading the list was the expression 'at the end of the day', which was followed in second place by the phrase 'fairly unique'.

The tautological statement "I personally" made third place – an expression that BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphreys has described as "the linguistic equivalent of having chips with rice."

Also making the top 10 is the grammatically incorrect "shouldn't of", instead of "shouldn't have".

The phrases appear in a book called Damp Squid, named after the mistake of confusing a squid with a squib, a type of firework.

The researchers who compiled the list monitor the use of phrases in a database called the Oxford University Corpus, which comprises books, papers, magazines, broadcast, the internet and other sources.

The database alerts them to new words and phrases and can tell them which expressions are disappearing. It also shows how words are being misused.

As well as the above expressions, the book's author Jeremy Butterfield says that many annoyingly over-used expressions actually began as office lingo, such as 24/7 and "synergy".

Other phrases to irritate people are "literally" and "ironically", when they are used out of context.

Mr Butterfield said: "We grow tired of anything that is repeated too often – an anecdote, a joke, a mannerism – and the same seems to happen with some language."

The top ten most irritating phrases:

1 - At the end of the day

2 - Fairly unique

3 - I personally

4 - At this moment in time

5 - With all due respect

6 - Absolutely

7 - It's a nightmare

8 - Shouldn't of

9 - 24/7

10 - It's not rocket science

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...g-phrases.html

dawsongirl · 11-13-2008, 12:34 AM

I don't think I use many of those. 24/7 maybe, but not a lot.

InspectorExstead · 11-13-2008, 12:39 AM

two others that are irritating to me...

1. your mom!
2. that's what she said...

those phrases are getting outdated & overused, fast.

Chelsea · 11-13-2008, 12:48 AM

It's not rocket science! At the end of the day, It's a nightmare - 24/7!. With all due respect, I personally, At this moment in time absolutely shouldn't of posted this fairly unique statement

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 11-13-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

It's not rocket science! At the end of the day, It's a nightmare - 24/7!. With all due respect, I personally, At this moment in time absolutely shouldn't of posted this fairly unique statement

HuntingtonM15 · 11-13-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InspectorExstead

two others that are irritating to me...

1. your mom!
2. that's what she said...

those phrases are getting outdated & overused, fast.

Another one that's already beyond outdated and old is "I'm not gonna lie..." That phrase drives me insane.

Chelsea · 11-13-2008, 12:59 AM

Your mom, I'm not gonna lie, that's what she said.

Ooh, this is fun.

HuntingtonM15 · 11-13-2008, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

Your mom, I'm not gonna lie, that's what she said.

Ooh, this is fun.

Hollow · 11-13-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InspectorExstead

two others that are irritating to me...

1. your mom!
2. that's what she said...

those phrases are getting outdated & overused, fast.

god, those were unfunny from the beginning. they just continue to rot as people keep using them.

TripperFan · 11-13-2008, 03:40 AM

I can't stand "It is what it is"

WTF IS that?!

I picture Popeye when I hear it.

catlover79 · 11-13-2008, 12:14 PM

I'm surprised "don't go there" didn't make the cut, or "my bad". Now THOSE are annoying phrases.

ekkostar · 11-13-2008, 03:15 PM

1. Haters (GIVE IT BACK TO THE STREETS, STUPID HIPSTERS!)
2. Snark (It was never funny or witty.)
3. Fen (Can't you just say "fans"?)
4. Fannish (UGH! It's cutesy and stupid like "snark".)
5. someguy/somegirl, someguy/someguy or name fusions Ex: gugirl (Shipping needs to be done away with altogether, IMHO. It just creates flamewars.)

11-13-2008, 12:30 AM	#1
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Oxford's Top Ten Most Irritating Phrases got this in an email from my journalism teacher, thought it'd be interesting to share _____ Oxford compiles list of top ten irritating phrases A top 10 of irritating expressions has been compiled by researchers at Oxford University. By Charlotte Bailey Last Updated: 3:18PM GMT 08 Nov 2008 Heading the list was the expression 'at the end of the day', which was followed in second place by the phrase 'fairly unique'. The tautological statement "I personally" made third place – an expression that BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphreys has described as "the linguistic equivalent of having chips with rice." Also making the top 10 is the grammatically incorrect "shouldn't of", instead of "shouldn't have". The phrases appear in a book called Damp Squid, named after the mistake of confusing a squid with a squib, a type of firework. The researchers who compiled the list monitor the use of phrases in a database called the Oxford University Corpus, which comprises books, papers, magazines, broadcast, the internet and other sources. The database alerts them to new words and phrases and can tell them which expressions are disappearing. It also shows how words are being misused. As well as the above expressions, the book's author Jeremy Butterfield says that many annoyingly over-used expressions actually began as office lingo, such as 24/7 and "synergy". Other phrases to irritate people are "literally" and "ironically", when they are used out of context. Mr Butterfield said: "We grow tired of anything that is repeated too often – an anecdote, a joke, a mannerism – and the same seems to happen with some language." The top ten most irritating phrases: 1 - At the end of the day 2 - Fairly unique 3 - I personally 4 - At this moment in time 5 - With all due respect 6 - Absolutely 7 - It's a nightmare 8 - Shouldn't of 9 - 24/7 10 - It's not rocket science http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...g-phrases.html
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11-13-2008, 12:39 AM	#3
InspectorExstead Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,902	two others that are irritating to me... 1. your mom! 2. that's what she said... those phrases are getting outdated & overused, fast.
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11-13-2008, 12:48 AM	#4
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	It's not rocket science! At the end of the day, It's a nightmare - 24/7!. With all due respect, I personally, At this moment in time absolutely shouldn't of posted this fairly unique statement
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

11-13-2008, 03:40 AM	#10
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I can't stand "It is what it is" WTF IS that?! I picture Popeye when I hear it.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

11-13-2008, 12:14 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I'm surprised "don't go there" didn't make the cut, or "my bad". Now THOSE are annoying phrases.
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11-13-2008, 12:34 AM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I don't think I use many of those. 24/7 maybe, but not a lot.

11-13-2008, 12:59 AM	#7
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Your mom, I'm not gonna lie, that's what she said. Ooh, this is fun.

11-13-2008, 03:15 PM	#12
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	1. Haters (GIVE IT BACK TO THE STREETS, STUPID HIPSTERS!) 2. Snark (It was never funny or witty.) 3. Fen (Can't you just say "fans"?) 4. Fannish (UGH! It's cutesy and stupid like "snark".) 5. someguy/somegirl, someguy/someguy or name fusions Ex: gugirl (Shipping needs to be done away with altogether, IMHO. It just creates flamewars.)
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...