What English expression do you hate the most?

[Alex321]

This is why it's pretty futile getting wound up by neologisms. Today's horror phrase (inbox me) is tomorrow's commonplace (text me, message me).

It doesn't really bother me, I just don't understand that one.

With things like texting, there isn't really another single word that could be used, you would have to say something like "send me a text" rather than just "text me".

But with inbox, the word email is just as good, and has been in regular use for years. I just don't understand *why* people started using "inbox" instead.

 

[Dogtrousers]

It doesn't really bother me, I just don't understand that one.

With things like texting, there isn't really another single word that could be used, you would have to say something like "send me a text" rather than just "text me".

But with inbox, the word email is just as good, and has been in regular use for years. I just don't understand *why* people started using "inbox" instead.

I was today years old when I found out that inbox was a verb.

Have we had "today years old" yet? I'm sure that must annoy some people.

 

[mistyoptic]

I was today years old when I found out that inbox was a verb.

Have we had "today years old" yet? I'm sure that must annoy some people.

🤯😤

 

[matticus]

Have we had "today years old" yet? I'm sure that must annoy some people.

It's certainly a deserving entry! I may well have posted it, maybe check 35 pages back?
(It only annoys me - a little - because it's not clear what it means, to me anyway; does "today" represent a quantity here? Or not??? I'm old, explain it to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! )

 

[matticus]

It doesn't really bother me, I just don't understand that one.

With things like texting, there isn't really another single word that could be used, you would have to say something like "send me a text" rather than just "text me".

But with inbox, the word email is just as good, and has been in regular use for years. I just don't understand *why* people started using "inbox" instead.

I'm half agreeing with you ... but if you look back a few years, google gives us this:

The first email system of this kind was the one used at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1965. The system was known as MAILBOX. Another similar program that was used at the time to send messages was referred to as SNDMSG

I would bet my house that before man went to the moon, someone used MAILBOX as a verb.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'm half agreeing with you ... but if you look back a few years, google gives us this:


I would bet my house that before man went to the moon, someone used MAILBOX as a verb.

When the earth was young I worked for a company that had its own email system (all internal only, no external connection). Let's say it was called "fredmail". People used "fredmail" as a verb I'm pretty sure.

 

[Dadam]

But with inbox, the word email is just as good, and has been in regular use for years. I just don't understand *why* people started using "inbox" instead.

Probably because it's being applied not just to email but private messaging on social media platforms.

"Inbox me" doesn't annoy me quite as much as "he slid into that person's DMs". I mean why?! It makes no sense, and sounds inappropriate on any level!

 

[mistyoptic]

When the earth was young I worked for a company that had its own email system (all internal only, no external connection). Let's say it was called "fredmail". People used "fredmail" as a verb I'm pretty sure.

Yeah but

BITD you’d write to someone, not letterbox them.

I get PM for private messaging but “inbox me” sounds like some kind of curse

 

[Dadam]

While I'm on the subject of neologisms: "cringe" as an adjective! "That's so cringe"

No, cringe is a verb. That thing is cringeworthy, it makes you cringe. I cringe, I am cringing, I cringed, I did cringe.

 

[Gwylan]

When the earth was young I worked for a company that had its own email system (all internal only, no external connection). Let's say it was called "fredmail". People used "fredmail" as a verb I'm pretty sure.

In the late 80's we had one of those. Had a catchy name, I've forgotten.

About 5 people used it. Maybe 1 of them understood it.

You could create an email and send it to a fax machine.

We also had a phone system you could dial into almost anywhere and call colleagues within the company.
Some wag discovered that you could call your desk phone, enable call forward and phone outside the company.

 

[Ian H]

Isn't it wonderful how people are so creative with language.

 

[matticus]

Isn't it wonderful how people are so creative with language.

That whole statement is a cringe.*


*I don't mean that - I'm just roleplaying as a young creative type.

 

[matticus]

When the earth was young I worked for a company that had its own email system (all internal only, no external connection). Let's say it was called "fredmail". People used "fredmail" as a verb I'm pretty sure.

I'll bet you my other house that fredmail exists.

 

[figbat]

And on top of all that it simply playground level juvenile name-calling..

Like using derogatory names for F1 drivers and team principals?

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'll bet you my other house that fredmail exists.

You are correct. And no, I did not work for the State University of New York
SUNY Fredonia's Google Gmail service for emails is called FREDmail.
https://www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/information-technology-services/email