annoying sayings

skysidhe • Oct 18, 2008 10:04 am
When people say," Everything happens for a reason"

Something in me says, "no"

I have not seen bad things happen to people that brings about any good outcome that the person themselves didn't create. The saying seems to imply that by grand design this happened so that something better may transpire.

I think bad things happen just because they do. I think good things happen when the intergrity of the human spirit presses onward to create something better.

Whenever I hear that saying something just sticks in my craw. I know that it is said with the best intentions but it just annoys me.

What are the sayings that peeve you and why?
footfootfoot • Oct 18, 2008 10:22 am
"Skating on wet ice" is one that annoys me for a number of reasons, not least of which is that it isn't a saying at all.
Sundae • Oct 18, 2008 10:36 am
I'm so with you there Sky.

Along the same lines is "When God closes a door he opens a window" from people whose closest connection with religion is saying, "Jesus Christ!" when something goes wrong.

I also hate, "PC gone mad" because it's so lazy and is rarely used appropriately. In fact if someone says that, it's usually in response to a story that's been twisted in some way anyway.

"Thinking outside the box". I don't have a box, I have a brain, and it is a living organ. I can't think outside of it, sorry.

Oh and Cold Hands Warm Heart. Because I never have cold hands, and I hate it when people put theirs on me - it's creepy. And cold-hearted.
TheMercenary • Oct 18, 2008 10:37 am
"It is what it is." I've been hearing it a lot lately. Makes my skin crawl.
Undertoad • Oct 18, 2008 11:10 am
Well, what goes around comes around.
Trilby • Oct 18, 2008 11:18 am
when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

I'd like to slap the fukker that first said that. Then stuff a lemon in his mouth.
Treasenuak • Oct 18, 2008 11:32 am
"Everything will be okay" Okay, granted, I understand that under bad circumstances people don't always know what to say and they're trying to comfort you. But nine times out of ten, I KNOW everything's going to be okay, I DON'T need to be reminded, and I'm thinking about RIGHT NOW, when things are definitely NOT okay.
Trilby • Oct 18, 2008 11:34 am
Treasenuak;495020 wrote:
"Everything will be okay" Okay, granted, I understand that under bad circumstances people don't always know what to say and they're trying to comfort you. But nine times out of ten, I KNOW everything's going to be okay, I DON'T need to be reminded, and I'm thinking about RIGHT NOW, when things are definitely NOT okay.


This is when fast acting anxiolytics come in very handy. I recommend xanax. I also recommend alcohol, a smoke and a quickie. If none of these are available, try a mantra. I like, "I'm NOT living in 16th Century Germany...I'm NOT living in 16th Century Germany..."
Undertoad • Oct 18, 2008 11:35 am
My old boss used to say "Tomorrow is another day."

I'd come back at him with "Also, next Thursday is another day."
Treasenuak • Oct 18, 2008 11:36 am
Alcohol and a quickie- usually obtainable. A smoke... not if the kid's nearby. And I'm on anti-anxiety drugs :D
SteveDallas • Oct 18, 2008 11:39 am
Brianna;495009 wrote:
when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

I'd like to slap the fukker that first said that. Then stuff a lemon in his mouth.

There's a Dilbert strip... sorry I can't find it to post.

In the first panel some character says, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. The second panel: Dogbert responds, sure, but that's assuming life will also provide ice, a pitcher, some sugar and glasses.

In the third panel the two stop. The sidewalk they've been walking on has lemons, ice cubes, a pitcher, sugar, and glasses. Dogbert explodes with fury: "WHAT?? NO NAPKINS??"


I'm an introvert. The problem with that is, some people consider introversion to be a disease that needs to be "cured." So, my annoying sayings are anything that smacks of this mind-set. "You should get out and meet some more people.. you'd be happier." Etc.
Trilby • Oct 18, 2008 11:42 am
Who do you need to meet? You're already here!
skysidhe • Oct 18, 2008 12:30 pm
I agree with all the above!

Other sayings that annoy me are most of the beautides. Sorry god. I hope that dosn't make me a blasphemer.

There are alot of struggling old people that give to corrupt churches on these premises alone.

I used to go to church when I was a poor single mom with a small child. I gave tithe and had to borrow from the church to get milk.

One day I had an aphiphany or maybe it was god speaking to my heart. It was KEEP YOUR MONEY AND BUY YOUR OWN GODDAMN MILK.
penslinger • Oct 18, 2008 2:48 pm
I hate "What's More..."
and "Do the math..."
And my ex used to drive me nuts with "that's not going to happen due to the fact..."
Why can't she just say because??
Cicero • Oct 18, 2008 3:03 pm
Much like, "Everything happens for a reason".......

"It's all for the best."

You can combine both of them and be a real trifle twit.

Someone that was close to me died and that's what I was told. It isn't a good catch-all.

Once it was repeated over and over, I lost it, and began to describe why it wasn't "all for the best".


It's also All for the best if I beat you if you say that, one more time.

Yea. Knee jerk. Major.

That just pisses me off all over again. Carry on!
HungLikeJesus • Oct 18, 2008 3:58 pm
Here are two:
* Not to mention...
and
* Let me explain...

Why do people say, "not to mention," and then they mention what ever it is?
bluecuracao • Oct 18, 2008 4:05 pm
"You'll have plenty of time to sleep when you're dead."

Said to me by a temporary co-worker some time back, after I complained how tired I was, while working 14 hour days in the midst of the busy season.

Since he wasn't full-time, he was allowed to leave by 5PM. But I couldn't say anything smarmy back to him, because he had a debilitating illness that kept him from working more than six or seven hours a day anyway. So I had no other choice except to run off screaming into the night. :haha:
Cloud • Oct 18, 2008 4:16 pm
"Did you find everything all right?"

No, you moron, that's why I'm standing here spending $250 at the fucking Target, because I didn't find everything!

and if you say "no," they ignore you anyway.
Cloud • Oct 18, 2008 4:23 pm
oh, and "[whatever] is go gay/ghey" used as an derogative. Pisses me off royally everytime. Me and Hillary Duff agree.
DanaC • Oct 18, 2008 7:46 pm
penslinger;495100 wrote:
I hate "What's More..."
and "Do the math..."
And my ex used to drive me nuts with "that's not going to happen due to the fact..."
Why can't she just say because??



Don't see what's wrong with "what's more..." ...."Do the math" pisses me off. I can't help myself, I hear it and my mind fills in the missing 's'.

Annoyingly, this insidious little phrase has wormed its way into my consciousness and I find myself saying it from time to time. Grrr.

Welcome to the Cellar by the way *smiles*

Oh hey, Cic, you might want to add "God doesn't give us more than we can cope with" to that list.

HLJ 'not to mention' is something that gets used a lot in the UK. I think it's a fairly British style if phrase. Like the phrase "not inconsiderable": on the one hand it means the same as 'considerabe', but it has a different emphasis and tone. Likewise 'not to mention' is a way of throwing a particular emphasis or focus onto the thing you are about to mention.
HungLikeJesus • Oct 18, 2008 8:10 pm
My goal is to start dropping these sayings into various posts around The Cellar.


Or do you think that that's too gay?
Juniper • Oct 18, 2008 8:19 pm
I'm sorry, then - I am one of those annoying people who do say things like "everything happens for a reason," or "something good will come of it," because pollyanna that I am, I believe it. I can think of a few situations that are just flat-out awful beyond redemption, but most everyday problems do indeed have "silver linings."

Like losing your job and discovering that wasn't the right career path to fulfill you anyhow. Or not getting the job your really wanted, but then getting a better one down the line. Or getting dumped by a guy you really loved, then meeting someone better.

Sometimes those things aren't as obvious. For example, when my father had a stroke and died a year later, I was (of course) devastated. I quit my job because my parents had been my kids' daycare and paying for a sitter for two of them would wipe out my paycheck. I'm so glad I had that opportunity to be a full time mom, even though we were really poor. And when he died, it really got me thinking about how short life was - I started doing what I should've been doing long ago, writing and submitting and getting published, because I thought if life's so damn short, I don't have the luxury of being timid about it! My mom died. Inheritance = college tuition + motivation to honor her memory by doing my best at it!

That doesn't change the fact that it was purely awful to have my parents die. But if life gives you lemons...really, trite or not, you can choose to wallow in self-pity, or you can choose to find what actually might be good about the situation, even if that's nothing more than a challenge for personal growth. Life may not also give you a pitcher of water, ice and sugar -- getting them is up to you, and if you sit around waiting for them to be delivered to your door, I guess you're right -- if it did happen for a reason, it was lost on you.

So there.

The sayings that tick me off the most are malapropisms and mixed metaphors. Like the ones I can't think of right now.

Oh, and let's see...."that's random," used by tweens and teens who don't seem to know what "random" means.
Treasenuak • Oct 18, 2008 8:51 pm
I think the main point, Juniper, in people's complaints about such phrases as "everything turns out all right in the end" or "It will be okay" isn't so much the phrases themselves, as the lack of thought/consideration of the person uttering them, the knee-jerk reaction that causes utterance of such phrases, and how trite those phrases have become.
Pico and ME • Oct 18, 2008 9:06 pm
Or that hearing those type of phrases just doesnt give any comfort at the time.
footfootfoot • Oct 18, 2008 9:17 pm
Cloud;495144 wrote:
oh, and "[whatever] is go gay/ghey" used as an derogative. Pisses me off royally everytime. Me and Hillary Duff agree.

What's your position on "festive?"
footfootfoot • Oct 18, 2008 9:25 pm
Juniper;495211 wrote:
The sayings that tick me off the most are malapropisms and mixed metaphors. Like the ones I can't think of right now.


Exactly, like the ones on the tip of your tongue but, never mind, drift.
That's part of the "skating on wet ice" problem for me. The physics of skating is that the extreme pressure under the blade of the skate causes the ice to melt locally so you are always skating on wet ice. Not to mention (hahahahahahneeneneerennnnernenenrnernerner neener) that the expression is SKATING ON THIN ICE which is inherently dangerous! helleaux??? and lastly, even if the ice were covered with a thin pool of water it wouldn't really be an issue if you were skating and not falling on your ass.

but whatever, it is what it is, life gives you lemons and you grab it by the horns, is what I always don't say.
regular.joe • Oct 18, 2008 10:06 pm
I am really glad that I read this thread. Next time some one is in the emotional ringer and looks to me for a little or a lot of support, instead of telling them that it will be o.k.....I'll tell them looks like your just fucked. In fact I know the answer for you, God hates you. Well that's a lie too, there is no God or underling spiritual meaning in the world and you obviously got yourself into the emotional ringer all on your lonesome, and you'll just have to get yourself out. So, your fucked. Have a fucked day. :)

Oh, and nothing is what it is, it's something else, and you can't really see what it is because of your faith, or belief, or lack of faith or lack of education or lack of common sense or lack of blah blah blah...so your fucked. Have a fucked day :)
Juniper • Oct 18, 2008 10:49 pm
...silly spellings like "hai" and "helleaux."

Just kidding. I think they're cute and creative. A lot better than ur txt spk, sry!
footfootfoot • Oct 18, 2008 10:55 pm
Juni: and irony, don't forget irony.

Joe: Try "Dude, you are soooo fucked, I'm sure glad I'm not you."Don't forget to rub some salt in it!
Juniper • Oct 18, 2008 11:15 pm
I don't like irony very much. Must be why I'm getting wrinkled. I'm more of a wash & wear gal, myself.
Nirvana • Oct 18, 2008 11:19 pm
"Its All Good!"
Its never "all " good! LOL!
Juniper • Oct 18, 2008 11:25 pm
My SIL's favorite saying, for almost everyone: "s/he's got issues."

What are issues, exactly?
Cloud • Oct 18, 2008 11:34 pm
footfootfoot;495241 wrote:
Juni: and irony, don't forget irony.

Joe: Try "Dude, you are soooo fucked, I'm sure glad I'm not you."Don't forget to rub some salt in it!


I've tried that. It's often not well received.

can't imagine why . . .
Razzmatazz13 • Oct 18, 2008 11:50 pm
Along the lines of the comforting nonsense...

"Just remember, it could always be worse." especially if it's coupled with "at least you're not _________."

Yes, I realize that I'm not starving, or being murdered/beaten/taken advantage of/poor/dying/in poor health, but everyone has their own problems that feel like a big deal, even if they're not life-threatening!
Radar • Oct 19, 2008 12:03 am
It irks me when people say "same difference" or "I'm a Republican"
Juniper • Oct 19, 2008 1:40 am
Razzmatazz13;495260 wrote:
Along the lines of the comforting nonsense...

"Just remember, it could always be worse." especially if it's coupled with "at least you're not _________."

Yes, I realize that I'm not starving, or being murdered/beaten/taken advantage of/poor/dying/in poor health, but everyone has their own problems that feel like a big deal, even if they're not life-threatening!


Oh, I'll say that about myself sometimes. "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today," I'll say, "I'm in pretty good shape."
Sundae • Oct 19, 2008 7:13 am
When things are going down the shitter, it does not comfort me in the slightest to know that one day things might be better. And I think it's a smug get-out from people who are not suffering to brush off your pain with those phrases.

The most remarkable thing anyone said to me when my first serious boyfriend walked out (literally, we were living together) was, "I'm sorry. It really hurts doesn't it?" Bizarrely it was the most comforting, because she looked me in the eye and said it with sympathy, rather than feeling embarrassed when confronted by emotion and obvious failure.

From that day on I've always tried to consider the situation, the person and the emotion rather than trotting out trite phrases. Of course this does sometimes mean I mouth platitudes - some people seem to need them. The only things I won't say are to do with God and angels and heaven because that would be hypocritical.

Sympathy and understanding are wonderful. With humour, even better. But for me, the cliches are most often used by people as a shield rather than a blanket.

A really petty one here from me, people who say "see you later" instead of goodbye on a phone call. No you won't see me later, you're working on a Helpline in Scotland - I am unlikely to even speak to you again, let alone see you. Pick, pick.
DanaC • Oct 19, 2008 8:38 am
Radar;495263 wrote:
It irks me when people say "same difference" or "I'm a Republican"


lol.

That's a gem. Thanks Radar.
Treasenuak • Oct 20, 2008 12:56 pm
If things are going down the shitter, I honestly prefer someone to tell me, "Yep. You're pretty fucked," then give me a trite, thoughtless, "It's not that bad, things will be ok".
Cicero • Oct 20, 2008 2:55 pm
Juniper;495211 wrote:
I'm sorry, then - I am one of those annoying people who do say things like "everything happens for a reason," or "something good will come of it," because pollyanna that I am, I believe it. I can think of a few situations that are just flat-out awful beyond redemption, but most everyday problems do indeed have "silver linings."



When someone said something like that to me at the way wrong time, it was what she thought was the best outcome for her. Because she's a nutbag that was glad her ex was out of the way of her life finally, and she was now the person that gained the financial profit from the loss. The ex is dead and can't see the kid anymore and I can move on with my new boyfriend and all this cash!! Damn right she thought it was all for the best. Which is why I have the knee jerk.

The feeling of loss went:
Who are we to understand the mysterious works of god and question that now that it has worked out for the best for me? woo-hoo!! We are going to Disneyland! This works well because I lost my job as a child psychologist for trying to kill my own. Now I have been given all this money and don't have to worry about the ex visiting the kid so much.....It's "all for the best". You'll see. My boyfriend won't have to worry about the ex hanging around, and be uncomfortable anymore. No more daily visits! See ya sucker, thanks for the cash.:rolleyes: It's all for the best!
dar512 • Oct 20, 2008 3:05 pm
HungLikeJesus;495125 wrote:
Why do people say, "not to mention," and then they mention what ever it is?

"not to mention" translation: The previous argument is sufficient on its own. However, I now intend to give you additional reasons.

I don't have a problem with this one.
dar512 • Oct 20, 2008 3:09 pm
DanaC;495201 wrote:
Like the phrase "not inconsiderable": on the one hand it means the same as 'considerabe', but it has a different emphasis and tone.

I use "non-trivial" a lot. It's in the same boat.
Crimson Ghost • Oct 20, 2008 3:31 pm
Juniper;495249 wrote:
My SIL's favorite saying, for almost everyone: "s/he's got issues."

What are issues, exactly?


Regular releases of printed media.
--------------------------------

How about "Can I ask you a question?"
Hey, schmuck, you just did.

Or, its cousin - "Can I ask a stupid question?"
"Like no one else I know."
dar512 • Oct 20, 2008 3:44 pm
Crimson Ghost;495674 wrote:

Or, its cousin - "Can I ask a stupid question?"
"Like no one else I know."

Perfect response. I'll have to remember that one.
Cloud • Oct 20, 2008 10:00 pm
"just out of curiosity . . . "

just ask the damn question. curiosity is self-evident.

"Wherefore, premises considered . . . " and other legal babbling bullshit.
Clodfobble • Oct 20, 2008 10:54 pm
Cloud wrote:
"Wherefore, premises considered . . . " and other legal babbling bullshit.


You ever think maybe you're in the wrong line of work? ;)
Aliantha • Oct 21, 2008 6:21 pm
"You can't have your cake and eat it too"

Well what the fuck am I going to do with this piece of cake then?
Sundae • Oct 21, 2008 7:54 pm
... except the original meaning of "have" in that sentence was "keep"
So it did make sense then

Like, "On pain of death" - where pain originally meant punishment
SteveDallas • Oct 21, 2008 8:13 pm
"No offense, but . . . "
DanaC • Oct 21, 2008 8:55 pm
*grins* I suspect my frenemies aren't overly keen on my "with respect..." used in meetings to render an attack civil.

My favorite though is "to be fair to X, ..."

I never thought much about that line, until J pointed out to me that it does sometimes (?) precede a velvet gloved, sideways attack :P


[eta] I have no problem with 'just out of curiosity...' it can fulfil one of two functions: firstly, it communicates that the reason for asking is mere curiosity, as questions aren't always just for that; secondly, it can denote the exact opposite, if said with the right stress.

For me, it usually means I am wavering on the edge of an idea, or thought train and am fishing for further info.

This is the thing about these little sayings, and the reason that one person's annoying phrase is another person's favourite standby: we employ and understand language at a multiplicity of levels. Set alongside that is the rather imperfect machinery that we are running the programme on. We trip over our words and we build in little strategies to make language more comfortable to use, or to fill in the gaps, create comfortable verbal links etc. Like saying "right" or "okay" at the end of a sentence, or filling the gaps with "so", or "umm". Often these stock phrases fulfil a similar function.
monster • Oct 21, 2008 9:23 pm
That "God doesn't send us anything we can't handle" really pisses me off too. especially as it's always uttered by Zombie moms with too many kids whose god has clearly sent them some nice narcotics to help them handle the other shit he sent.... ;)

for the brits....
"At the end of the day"
"it's a game of two halves"

and the yanks....
"I could care less".....
monster • Oct 21, 2008 9:24 pm
and I get annoyed by people who confuse

bought and brought
accept and except
pacific and specific
DanaC • Oct 21, 2008 10:06 pm
*Cringes* I had a boyfriend when I was in my teens who used to say pacific. Used to wind me up.

"at the end of he day" I do find myself saying lol

A party member, who used to be a fellow councillor, is from Kashmir and he always says either "at end of day" or just "end of day, right". His conversation is littered with that mangled phrase heheh
Razzmatazz13 • Oct 22, 2008 12:11 am
Friend of mine in high school's entire family used "whenever" in place of "when", which I found mildly annoying most of the time, and rather amusing the rest of the time.

"Remember whenever we went to the movies that one time, and that guy sat behind us and ate popcorn really loud?"
Treasenuak • Oct 22, 2008 11:58 am
The "valley girl" overusage of the word "like". You know... "He was, like, so totally like GORGEOUS"

Please. Stop.
Sundae • Oct 22, 2008 12:04 pm
Does Pie ever get annoyed when people say, "As easy as Pie?"
It's quite hurtful after all...
SteveDallas • Oct 22, 2008 12:51 pm
Well, as long as they have an accurate assessment of exactly how "easy" Pie is, and the thing they're discussing does indeed have that degree of easiness, I'd think that would be OK.
Shawnee123 • Oct 22, 2008 1:04 pm
I remember back in the day (just did that to see who I could piss off) I heard people say "Have a nice day" to which some would retort "Don't tell me what kind of day to have."

I find that incredibly rude. They are just saying something nice, at least something not hateful...it's not really different than "goodbye" or "see you."

Many times people just don't know what to say. I have told people things will get better because what they are going through really sucks. And eventually things will get better for most of us. I guess it's better than a kick in the cunt, an "it sucks to be you" or "yeah, you've had bad shit karma coming for a long time, asshat."

I think it's sad when people are judged for just trying to say something nice, even it you don't feel it's appropriate to your situation. Remember, not everyone is uber-intelligent (who'd that piss off) like Dwellars, and if we lose those polite though trite sayings we might as well just all grumble, snort, and walk away when someone tells us something is going wrong for them and we can't possibly understand that situation.

Just my two cents, for whatever it's worth, because it is what it is and at, like, the end of the day there's always a rainbow...:rolleyes:

oh, and @ Razz...I hate it when someone uses "whenever" for "when." It sounds like they're talking about some event that occurs multiple times. That is grammatically incorrect, not a harp on people just trying to be nice.
Shawnee123 • Oct 22, 2008 1:08 pm
monster;496095 wrote:
and I get annoyed by people who confuse

bought and brought
accept and except
pacific and specific


Bring and take, as in "Will you bring me home?" That question works if you're currently at your home, and are asking if they will get you home from the movies, but when you are both at the movies you would need to take them home.
Pie • Oct 22, 2008 1:21 pm
Sundae Girl;496246 wrote:
Does Pie ever get annoyed when people say, "As easy as Pie?"
It's quite hurtful after all...

Hey! :rolleyes:

No, it doesn't annoy me, because I know how hard it is to make a piecrust that is both tender and flaky. And I'm both. Along with a luscious, juicy sweet filling. :cool:
dar512 • Oct 22, 2008 1:22 pm
Pie;496292 wrote:
Hey! :rolleyes:

No, it doesn't annoy me, because I know how hard it is to make a piecrust that is both tender and flaky. And I'm both. Along with a luscious, juicy sweet filling. :cool:

Now you're just teasing us. ;)
Juniper • Oct 22, 2008 2:14 pm
Oooh, I just thought of one.

"It's a slippery slope."
Undertoad • Oct 22, 2008 2:25 pm
A friend of mine says "you know" as a weird verbal tic.

I found that if I wasn't very talkative with him, he would start putting more and more "you knows" into his speech -- until, you know, just about every, you know, noun, you know, would give a, you know, opportunity, you know, to work two of them in, you know? I'm not kidding, that is literally how he talks sometimes.

But if I'm really engaged in the conversation, he doesn't do this; in fact he settles down and only uses it very occasionally.

Weird. And it makes conversation tiresome, because I have to stay talkative more than I generally like, or fall into this nasty pit of UNOs.
wolf • Oct 22, 2008 2:46 pm
Crimson Ghost;495674 wrote:
Regular releases of printed media.
--------------------------------

How about "Can I ask you a question?"
Hey, schmuck, you just did.


I have a frequent caller (calls multiple times per day).

Now, I don't have to talk to her ... she's in another county, but there are two staff members who DO speak to her and ruin it for the rest of us. Most of the time she recognizes my voice and just hangs up when I answer the phone.

Every now and again, she tries testing the waters, just in case something has changed.

She doesn't even say "hello." Just leads right off with "Can I ask you a question?"

"No."

Pretty simple really.

One of the guys who does speak to her occasionally starts off by torturing her with the can vs. may discussion, but she's borderline retarded and doesn't get it anyway.
jinx • Oct 22, 2008 2:52 pm
There was a teacher at my kids' school who used "or whatever" almost as frequently as UT's friend with the "you know"... drove me nuts and made her sound stupid to me. The day she told the kids Hawaii wasn't a state and then couldn't find it on the globe confirmed my suspicions...
wolf • Oct 22, 2008 2:57 pm
You are homeschooling now, right?
jinx • Oct 22, 2008 2:59 pm
Yes, exactly.
HungLikeJesus • Oct 23, 2008 9:35 am
something ... or lack thereof.

That one bugs me and I can't say why.
Shawnee123 • Oct 23, 2008 10:45 am
HungLikeJesus;496611 wrote:
something ... or lack thereof.

That one bugs me and I can't say why.

:worried: Why, what will happen? Will trench-coated men carrying machine guns appear and start shootin'?
monster • Oct 23, 2008 10:48 pm
"The beer box is empty"
Juniper • Oct 24, 2008 12:22 am
How about this one:

"Mom, do you have any money? Can I have some?"

Or

"Will you help me with my homework?" (Context: it's 9:30 p.m. and what she really means is "do half of it for me because I'm tired and want to get it over with.")
Treasenuak • Oct 24, 2008 10:16 am
-grins- Have you got to the "Can I borrow the car?" phase yet, Juniper??
glatt • Oct 24, 2008 12:38 pm
One of the most annoying sayings for me is when I hear anyone telling another person with whom they have conflict to "chill out," "relax," "lighten up," or any variation thereof.

It's most annoying when I can tell the person actually thinks they are giving helpful advice. They are attempting to dictate to another person how to behave, which is always the wrong approach. Nobody wants to be told what to do. Ordering a person to relax will agitate them instead. Also, they are minimizing the feelings of the other person by not acknowledging that what they are feeling might possibly be appropriate. And finally that type of comment usually shows a lack of understanding of the severity of the issue.

If two parties are in conflict, and one party is attempting to calm the other, then acknowledging the feelings of the agitated party is the fastest way to diffuse the situation. Don't have to agree with them to say "I can see that you're mad."

Of course, sometimes people know exactly what they are doing and say "relax" when they hope to wind the other person up even further.
Juniper • Oct 24, 2008 12:54 pm
No, she's not old enough to borrow the car - 4 more years. (sigh)

But here's one thing she says that is like fingernails on the blackboard to me: "Rawr." You know, the cat snarl thing, said when someone gets annoyed.

As in:

"I TOLD you, turn off the TV and do your homework!"

"Okay, mom, gosh! RAWR!"
Pico and ME • Oct 24, 2008 1:09 pm
OMG yes, when teenagers learn the art of the dismissive comeback, life as a parent gets dicey. I have to use a lot of restraint to stay cool.
Juniper • Oct 24, 2008 1:14 pm
Who says I gotta stay cool? Life is not a deodorant commercial.
Pico and ME • Oct 24, 2008 1:17 pm
LOL.

I'm rarely successful at it. Staying cool is not half as satisfying as getting to fully express my displeasure.
SteveDallas • Oct 24, 2008 1:18 pm
Pico and ME;497158 wrote:
I have to use a lot of restraint to stay cool.

What do you find works best? Duct tape? Rope?
Pie • Oct 24, 2008 1:31 pm
Rubber tubing. Doesn't leave a mark.:whip:
Pico and ME • Oct 24, 2008 1:36 pm
SteveDallas;497165 wrote:
What do you find works best? Duct tape? Rope?


lol...:bonk:

Actually, duct tape would be the optimal solution...ESPECIALLY over the mouth.
Perry Winkle • Oct 24, 2008 6:23 pm
Any utterance containing "perfect storm." It's worse when it comes from my mouth.
lumberjim • Oct 25, 2008 12:43 pm
Undertoad;496327 wrote:
A friend of mine says "you know" as a weird verbal tic.

I found that if I wasn't very talkative with him, he would start putting more and more "you knows" into his speech -- until, you know, just about every, you know, noun, you know, would give a, you know, opportunity, you know, to work two of them in, you know? I'm not kidding, that is literally how he talks sometimes.

But if I'm really engaged in the conversation, he doesn't do this; in fact he settles down and only uses it very occasionally.

Weird. And it makes conversation tiresome, because I have to stay talkative more than I generally like, or fall into this nasty pit of UNOs.

my boss does this with 'knowwuddamean' ...the same way. we used to count the instances but it got tiresome, knowwhudamean?
skysidhe • Oct 25, 2008 1:12 pm
I have to wait 4 days to get something...really really nice... I was thinking to myself,"It's for the best" which is one of those annoying sayings you don't want anyone else to say.

I knew why it was 'for the best' for me which have to do with paydates etc..so I guess it's ok to use annoying phrases with oneself?:o
Sundae • Oct 25, 2008 1:15 pm
Oh yes!
I say all sorts of things to myself I wouldn't dream of saying to other people!
One step at a time.
This won't last forever.
It's okay, it's okay, don't cry, it's not that bad.

:)
skysidhe • Oct 25, 2008 1:21 pm
Sundae Girl;497491 wrote:
Oh yes!
I say all sorts of things to myself I wouldn't dream of saying to other people!
One step at a time.
This won't last forever.
It's okay, it's okay, don't cry, it's not that bad.

:)

I like the first two

aww but..the last one is sad. :sniff:

please never cry

I never cry. The only time I cry is when I watch the Muppets Christmas Carol which is a bit odd for someone who hates to cry.

It's the finale song When love is found.It's a quasi-universal love thing.
Sundae • Oct 25, 2008 1:28 pm
I hate to cry about myself. I cry all the time at books, songs, films, poems - sometimes even adverts! But if I'm upset I'll hold in tears as long as I can - like being sick.

I cried at work when I was going throught the whole HM/ moving out thing. I was so ashamed. But the great thing about working with artists is no-one except me was embarrassed - they were all of the "let it all out!" school. Nice - but not me.

The other thing I do is use endearments to get myself moving.
Come on sweetheart, time to get up.
That's it beauty, keep going.
Never mind babba, you'll get there in the end.

I am a one-woman support network :)
Actually I think that comes from talking to my cats too much!
skysidhe • Oct 25, 2008 1:39 pm
Yeah, cat's are great! and so are you!
lumberjim • Oct 25, 2008 1:48 pm
http://e-closure.blogspot.com/2005/08/case-1-steve-cindy.html
Juniper • Oct 25, 2008 4:18 pm
Sundae Girl;497495 wrote:
I hate to cry about myself. I cry all the time at books, songs, films, poems - sometimes even adverts! But if I'm upset I'll hold in tears as long as I can - like being sick.


Stella oft sees the very face of woe
Painted in my beclouded stormy face,
But cannot skill to pity my disgrace,
Not though thereof the cause herself she know;
Yet hearing late a fable, which did show
Of lovers never known a grievous case,
Pity thereof gat in her breast such place
That, from the sea derived, tears' spring did flow.
Alas, if fancy, drawn by imaged things
Though false, yet with free scope, more grace doth breed
Than servant's wrack, where new doubts honor brings;
Then think, my dear, that you in me do read
Of lovers' ruin some sad tragedy.
I am not I; pity the tale of me.
--Sir Philip Sidney, Astrophel and Stella

I dunno why...it just popped into my head when I read this from SG. Carry on. :sniff:
monster • Oct 25, 2008 5:39 pm
"it's a real learning curve"


...as opposed to an imaginary one?

In factany phrase with "learning curve" in it is damned irritating.
Juniper • Oct 25, 2008 5:40 pm
I'm starting to get the impression one can't say much of anything without annoying a cellarite. :p
SteveDallas • Oct 25, 2008 6:29 pm
Honestly, I could care less what impression you're getting.

[surely "I could care less" is on somebody's annoyance list, right?]
DanaC • Oct 25, 2008 6:56 pm
"bet your bottom dollar"

Not that there's anything wrong with it, just that when I was about 9 years old my most hated teacher used to say it all the time.
Pico and ME • Oct 25, 2008 9:39 pm
Ha, my least favorite teacher said 'close, but no cigar'.
HungLikeJesus • Oct 25, 2008 9:51 pm
Bill Clinton?
morethanpretty • Oct 26, 2008 1:04 am
glatt;497139 wrote:
One of the most annoying sayings for me is when I hear anyone telling another person with whom they have conflict to "chill out," "relax," "lighten up," or any variation thereof.

It's most annoying when I can tell the person actually thinks they are giving helpful advice. They are attempting to dictate to another person how to behave, which is always the wrong approach. Nobody wants to be told what to do. Ordering a person to relax will agitate them instead. Also, they are minimizing the feelings of the other person by not acknowledging that what they are feeling might possibly be appropriate. And finally that type of comment usually shows a lack of understanding of the severity of the issue.

If two parties are in conflict, and one party is attempting to calm the other, then acknowledging the feelings of the agitated party is the fastest way to diffuse the situation. Don't have to agree with them to say "I can see that you're mad."

Of course, sometimes people know exactly what they are doing and say "relax" when they hope to wind the other person up even further.


I'm completely with you Glatt. I hate it when ppl do that to me, and it makes me feel like they're dismissing me/the problem.

My mom says "Don't let it rent space in your head" and "blank will happen if you let it" She said that last things to me when I said,"I'll forget." "You'll forget if you let yourself." WTF is that even? She forgets shit all the time!
"God has a plan" pisses me off. Why are you telling me that? Obviously you don't know I don't believe in your God, which is rude to assume I do.
"God loves us unconditionally" Fuck no, he has a condition, we have to love him. FUCK THAT. OK OK i'm done for now.
DanaC • Oct 26, 2008 8:48 am
morethanpretty;497590 wrote:

"God loves us unconditionally" Fuck no, he has a condition, we have to love him. FUCK THAT. OK OK i'm done for now.


Ah, not quite. God loves us regardless of whether we love him or no (apparently), it's just that this doesn't mean he won't let us go to Hell and exist in eternal torment. He loved his son, look what happened to him...
Sundae • Oct 26, 2008 10:08 am
And lets face it, God fucked with the Jews for years, laying down all sorts of laws about stoning your children, and burning animals - lots of animals - then turns round after a couple of centuries and says, "Nah, don't bother with all that, too messy, too noisy. I've decided it's all about love now, okay? Love me, love my Son (and his ghost), love your neighbour, all you need is love. Just not man on man love, I still don't like that."

And yet people still think I'm going to pleased to hear that he has a plan for me? No thanks.
dar512 • Oct 26, 2008 1:29 pm
DanaC;497550 wrote:
"bet your bottom dollar"

Not that there's anything wrong with it, just that when I was about 9 years old my most hated teacher used to say it all the time.

Was he American? Otherwise, I'd think it would be "bet your bottom pound".
DanaC • Oct 26, 2008 2:25 pm
No, she was English. That expression is used over here as well. Presumably because it was popularised in a song some years ago.
Trilby • Oct 26, 2008 4:17 pm
god this is a long thread about nothing. it could be seinfeld. maybe it is. we could write an episode. quick---someone start.
Juniper • Oct 26, 2008 5:19 pm
The sun will come out tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
There'll be sun
Just thinkin' about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow
Till there's none
When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely
I just stick up my chin and grin and say
................

Thanks, now I've got Annie songs stuck in my head. Again.
Sundae • Oct 26, 2008 6:17 pm
Brianna;497702 wrote:
god this is a long thread about nothing.

But, but, but... it's in Nothingland!
Cicero • Oct 26, 2008 6:58 pm
Lighten up? Me? Screw that. You're boring me so much I want to put my finger in my eye.
Trilby • Oct 26, 2008 7:12 pm
I'm boring you, Cicero?
Trilby • Oct 26, 2008 7:14 pm
how annoying
monster • Oct 26, 2008 8:03 pm
monster;496092 wrote:


and the yanks....
"I could care less".....


SteveDallas;497547 wrote:
[surely "I could care less" is on somebody's annoyance list, right?]


yup
Cicero • Oct 26, 2008 8:25 pm
Brianna;497736 wrote:
how annoying



No I was imitating my response when people tell me to, lighten up.
TheMercenary • Oct 27, 2008 9:21 am
monster;497754 wrote:
yup


Yea but what about "couldn't care less"?:)
Shawnee123 • Oct 27, 2008 1:56 pm
I couldn't care less means you don't care at all and there is no room for caring less. That phrase is correct, if you are trying to show that you don't give a flying monkey butt. But let's examine flying monkey butt: how would one give a monkey butt, let alone make it fly? Just wonderin'
TheMercenary • Oct 27, 2008 2:01 pm
Shawnee123;498036 wrote:
I couldn't care less means you don't care at all and there is no room for caring less. That phrase is correct, if you are trying to show that you don't give a flying monkey butt. But let's examine flying monkey butt: how would one give a monkey butt, let alone make it fly? Just wonderin'
Don't put it past them I have seen flying monkey butt on tv:

Image
Shawnee123 • Oct 27, 2008 2:02 pm
Blue monkeys, no less.

Duh duh duh duh duh duhhh
duh duh duh duh duh (does that sound like the Wicked Witch theme in anyone's head but mine?)

:)
dar512 • Nov 4, 2008 11:38 am
Sundae Girl;494988 wrote:

Along the same lines is "When God closes a door he opens a window" from people whose closest connection with religion is saying, "Jesus Christ!" when something goes wrong.

I want to know when God is going to pay the heating bill for all those open windows.
Urbane Guerrilla • Nov 5, 2008 12:47 pm
monster;497540 wrote:
In fact any phrase with "learning curve" in it is damned irritating.


Especially in learning curves about poison ivy and sumac.
glatt • Nov 5, 2008 1:03 pm
"Anything is possible."

Actually, no. Anything is not possible. I could sit here all day coming up with examples of things that are not possible. But let's start with one. I can't jump from here to the moon. Sorry. Can't do it. Not possible.
Pie • Nov 5, 2008 1:05 pm
"Evolution is just a theory. It's as good as any other."

Usually used by ID proponents.
skysidhe • Nov 6, 2008 11:29 am
The sun will come up tomorrow.

Broadway. Is there a better place to make annoying sayings oh so cute!

[COLOR=deepskyblue]I really do love that movie. lol[/COLOR]
lumberjim • Nov 6, 2008 11:36 am
glatt;501507 wrote:
"Anything is possible."

Actually, no. Anything is not possible. I could sit here all day coming up with examples of things that are not possible. But let's start with one. I can't jump from here to the moon. Sorry. Can't do it. Not possible.


You could do it if you had antigravity boots on. or it you had a teleporter thingie in both places that you could jump on.
Shawnee123 • Nov 6, 2008 12:44 pm
mindset
DanaC • Nov 6, 2008 7:06 pm
glatt;501507 wrote:
"Anything is possible."

Actually, no. Anything is not possible. I could sit here all day coming up with examples of things that are not possible. But let's start with one. I can't jump from here to the moon. Sorry. Can't do it. Not possible.


I liked Colbert in the election special:

Anything's possible...meat could grow on trees..
Sundae • Nov 6, 2008 7:47 pm
I've said it before, but it bears repeating (no, that's not the phrase)
"you couldn't make it up" and "not in your wildest dreams"

Yes, I could make it up, and lots more besides. And I have pretty wild dreams, trust me.
binky • Nov 6, 2008 7:47 pm
Brianna;495009 wrote:
when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

I'd like to slap the fukker that first said that. Then stuff a lemon in his mouth.


I want that on a tshirt.
deathlysilence • Nov 7, 2008 10:51 am
" I know you are but what am i?"
A favorite if children...and siblings...Grrr!
lumberjim • Nov 7, 2008 11:55 am
chief in staff
Shawnee123 • Nov 7, 2008 11:57 am
Yep, that's it on a nutshell.
Laurie Henderson • Nov 7, 2008 12:28 pm
what about "I'm not gonna lie to you" - clearly, they are!!!
glatt • Nov 7, 2008 12:38 pm
Actually, I don't find that annoying at all. I appreciate it. They are telling me "OK, pay attention to this because what I'm about to say is a blatant lie." I like the warning.
lumberjim • Nov 7, 2008 12:49 pm
I used to work with a salesman that would preface things with, "bein' honest..."

it was just a device, but it said...'i've been lying to you up until this point'
Shawnee123 • Nov 7, 2008 12:50 pm
Two thoughts:

When someone says "long story short" it's usually too late.

That song "You are so beautiful to me" always makes me think the next line should be "I don't care how butt ugly everyone else thinks you are."
dar512 • Nov 7, 2008 1:03 pm
Shawnee123;502209 wrote:
Two thoughts:

When someone says "long story short" it's usually too late.

I don't hear too many people saying that anymore. Probably too many people, like me, interrupting.

Other: "To make a long story short..."
Me: "Too late!"
Shawnee123 • Nov 7, 2008 1:05 pm
Homeless Guy says it all the time. It's rarely a short story, but I keep my mouth shut. I don't think he realizes he's saying it...it's like me saying "like" too much. Just a speech habit I guess.

I heard a friend say it the other night.

Hmmm, they both say it when drinking mass portions of beer. Connection? Probably.
Pie • Nov 7, 2008 1:25 pm
"I know it's none of my business, but..."
SteveDallas • Nov 7, 2008 1:32 pm
Shawnee123;502209 wrote:
When someone says "long story short" it's usually too late.

Y'all might enjoy "Managementspeak", a regular feature of Bob Lweis' online newsletter on IT management.
HungLikeJesus • Nov 7, 2008 1:52 pm
lumberjim;502208 wrote:
I used to work with a salesman that would preface things with, "bein' honest..."

it was just a device, but it said...'i've been lying to you up until this point'


That makes me think of the opening scenes of [SIZE=2]Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane[/SIZE].

"When your lemon lot hits the skids you glom the gig no matter what the smell."
dar512 • Nov 7, 2008 2:25 pm
Heinlein quote on "none of my business":

The correct way to punctuate a sentence that starts: "Of course it is none of my business but--" is to place a period after the word "but." Don't use excessive force in supplying such moron with a period. Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about.

Robert Heinlein
Perry Winkle • Nov 7, 2008 2:35 pm
DanaC;502034 wrote:
I liked Colbert in the election special:

Anything's possible...meat could grow on trees..


All of this hinges on definition. The part of a fruit that you eat is often called the meat. In that case meat very truly grows on trees. Also, birds grow on trees and are made of, among other things, meat.

Two cases where meat grows on trees.
Pie • Nov 7, 2008 3:13 pm
Nutmeats?
Undertoad • Nov 7, 2008 3:15 pm
On cellar mk 2 we had a guy who, when nobody considered his point, posted "You missed the meat of my argument! How could you miss my meat?"
Pie • Nov 7, 2008 3:19 pm
"How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?"
lumberjim • Nov 7, 2008 3:25 pm
you wanna see annoying?Image
Pie • Nov 7, 2008 3:42 pm
Nope. Already seen it. :p
glatt • Nov 7, 2008 3:56 pm
670px × 29803px
Sundae • Nov 7, 2008 3:57 pm
Creepy.
Creepy, creepy, creepy.

For that you'll have to read my about dream tomorrow.
Shawnee123 • Nov 7, 2008 3:58 pm
Pie;502245 wrote:
"How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?"


Is it scary that my niece started saying this when she was 4? Of course, my brothers and I were kind of responsible, but when we have sunday dinner at mom's she'll tell her little sis "you can't have any pudding if you don't eat your meat."
ZenGum • Nov 7, 2008 7:40 pm
Surely it is "pudden" tha ye canna have if ye don' eat ye meat, isnae it?

P.S. LJ, ... what the hell was that?
Juniper • Nov 13, 2008 12:20 am
"Without further ado."

I was at my daughter's DARE graduation last night and "Officer Don" said that -- "without further ado" a total of NINE times. I counted.

Much ado about nothing.
||TA-RRYN|| • Nov 16, 2008 8:41 am
Hmm i think this thread should be renamed the "Annoying Phrases" thread because most people aren't posting sayings. But oh well.

I hate the saying "If brains were dynamite they wouldn't blow his bloody hat of." simply because that was my Grandfathers way of saying someone was a mindless idiot. He'd say it over and over again, till the point where i could almost tell when he was going to say it.

Xx