Words or phrases that you hate ...

[ColinJ]

That USAnian militarism, take out as in "...we'll take out x" Where to, the pictures followed by fish and chips? Use of such an euphemism when they could use such direct language as kill, slaughter, destroy etc doesn't hide the nastiness of the job.

Even the Channel 4 news reports 'fire fights' now, rather than battles or skirmishes!

And I don't think 'friendly fire' is actually very friendly ...

 

[LarryDuff]

Cupcakes. They are buns!!!!!

 

[brand]

I find the creeping Americanisation of British English very annoying. Schools now appear to have proms not dances, and it seems compulsory to arrive at said event in the tackiest way possible, usually a stretch limousine. Why?!

GC

Why not? Why be so xenophobic? There are lots of foreign cultural we are importing. Why hate US culture imports? That's irony, I know the answer

 

[ColinJ]

Why not? Why be so xenophobic? There are lots of foreign culture we are importing. Why hate US culture imports? That's irony, I know the answer

Taste? Accuracy?

 

[brand]

That USAnian militarism, take out as in "...we'll take out x" Where to, the pictures followed by fish and chips? Use of such an euphemism when they could use such direct language as kill, slaughter, destroy etc doesn't hide the nastiness of the job.

Because people like you would not like it.... being honest does not normally pay off when dealing with the middle class political correct.

 

[Profpointy]

Any military parlance not being used by the military. Or any military parlance being used in a situation which is not related to a military situation.

Quite - I hate the mis-use of "strategic" and "tactical" to mean planned versus bodged,. If you're going to use jargon, at least use it correctly.

...oh and another one "begging the question" means "assuming what you're trying to prove," a logical mistake, it does not mean "that is is the question"

 

[brand]

"Contact "

 

[Venod]

Road Map, as in Road Map for peace.

Absolutely, instead of yes

 

[Brandane]

Why not? Why be so xenophobic? There are lots of foreign cultural we are importing. Why hate US culture imports? That's irony, I know the answer

Importing foreign culture is fine, as long as it runs alongside our existing culture rather than replacing it, as appears to be happening with some aspects of language. Jamaican music and Asian food are two examples of what I mean. They haven't killed off British music or food.

 

[Hover Fly]

Because people like you would not like it.... being honest does not normally pay off when dealing with the middle class political correct.

You picked the wrong one to argue with there. I remember back in Bosnia when take out was just coming in, someone being bollocked for using the said phrase.
Yours faithfully
Hover Fly (mentioned in despatches and not in the least bit middle class nowadays)

 

[brand]

Importing foreign culture is fine, as long as it runs alongside our existing culture rather than replacing it, as appears to be happening with some aspects of language. Jamaican music and Asian food are two examples of what I mean. They haven't killed off British music or food.

How has US culture killed of UK culture? Utter rubbish. You are xenophobic. Which is acceptable when talking about the US but not when talking about Asians of blacks. Do you know the definition of hypocrite? Look in a mirror!

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I heard a BBC reporter describe police activity as a "pre-planned operation".

No, it was planned.

GC

 

[Saluki]

"What do you got?" What on earth is that supposed to mean? 'What have you got' or 'what do you have' in English I suppose.
'I am good'. The reply you get when you ask someone how they are. I often reply "good at what?"
Innit
Ho. I am guessing it's because Americans cannot pronounce or spell the word 'whore'

People using the word 'Mutts' to mean dogs. When people ask how many mutts I have I tell them that I have 4 dogs. I wouldn't even contemplate asking someone how many brats they have.

 

[Brandane]

How has US culture killed of UK culture? Utter rubbish. You are xenophobic. Which is acceptable when talking about the US but not when talking about Asians of blacks. Do you know the definition of hypocrite? Look in a mirror!

Can I add xenophobe to my list of words I don't like when misused?
I suggest you look up the definition of xenophobe. I have no fear of things I perceive to be foreign or strange. Wishing to preserve the English language as is, does not make me a xenophobe!

 

[EltonFrog]

I heard a BBC reporter describe police activity as a "pre-planned operation".

No, it was planned.

GC

And "pre-order". What is wrong with just "order"?