What English expression do you hate the most?

[matticus]

Not an expression as such, but I dislike the way some people talk as if they are constantly asking a question. In the way one might talk to a 2 year old, trying to confirm they have understood. Difficult to explain in print? But I'm sure you know what I mean? Arghhhh! Yet another Americanism that has crept in to our language.

Indeedy.
People can defend this with "everyone has their own way of speaking" or "get to bed Grandad", but it's unquestionably the case that such a speaker will sound much less confident, assured, and generally competent than someone who speaks ... conventionally.
Listen to any great speaker, even in modern times - Obama is a good one - and they do not do this.

(I would hazard a guess that most Australians of any gravitas don't do it either!)

 

[Dogtrousers]

It's a what 3 words location

They still going? Or have the gone down:the: pan ?

 

[Psamathe]

I don't understand what you are getting at here??

It is perfectly possible for multiple things to all be important, and indeed in many contexts it is the norm.

It's when all three are identical eg:
"When buying paint 3 most important things are cost, cost and cost"

Example I heard recently
"When designing a spacecraft 3 most impotnats things are power, power and power".

Ian

 

[Dogtrousers]

It's when all three are identical eg:
"When buying paint 3 most important things are cost, cost and cost"

Example I heard recently
"When designing a spacecraft 3 most impotnats things are power, power and power".

Ian

I've not come across expressions like this, but if I did I'd lay the blame on three people: Tony Blair, Tony Blair and Tony Blair.

 

[matticus]

I've not come across expressions like this, but if I did I'd lay the blame on three people: Tony Blair, Tony Blair and Tony Blair.

I blame education, education, and education.

Suitable exam question: what is the Nth rule of Fight Club?

 

[DaveReading]

I've not come across expressions like this

Clearly, you've not been in the right location, location, location.

 

[Alex321]

It's when all three are identical eg:
"When buying paint 3 most important things are cost, cost and cost"

Example I heard recently
"When designing a spacecraft 3 most impotnats things are power, power and power".

Ian

I understand that irritation, but it wasn't what I understood from the post.

Going back and re-reading I can see it was what you meant, but it wasn't obvious to me on first reading.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

One that annoys my wife immensely is when I tell her to wind her neck in.

 

[Gwylan]

One that annoys my wife immensely is when I tell her to wind her neck in.

Not a thing I can imagine I would do twice

 

[Jameshow]

One that annoys my wife immensely is when I tell her to wind her neck in.

Finished with the gentlest affectionate Love!! 😘

 

[Chislenko]

Sorry if it has previously been mentioned but haven't read 52 pages.

The saying that I can't get my head around is

"How are you feeling within yourself"

Just makes no sense to me.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Working with nutcases

That's basically my official job title.

 

[laurentian]

English expressions that irrationally grind my gears mainly concern food (typically on a pub menu). Examples include:
"Roasties" when meaning roast potatoes
"Veggies" rather than vegetables
"Yorkies" not Yorkshire Puddings

In a similar vein:
"Scrummy"
"Yummy"
And that irritating slurping/smacking of the lips that people do when they mention or hear something mentioned that they like to eat.

Also
"Hubby"

 

[Red17]

Holibobs instead of holidays really makes me cringe. It's not even as if you are saving letters or syllables, so just don't

 

[Gunk]

Not a thing I can imagine I would do twice

"Calm down love" doesn't seem to go down well!