POLL: Oxford's Top 10 Irritating Expressions

[77ncaachamps]

Researchers at Oxford University compiled and released a top 10 list of irritating expressions.

Which one do you find the MOST irritating?

Results to be displayed once poll closes.

[MUEng92]

"Back in the day" is the most irritating phrase in the English language.  How can that not be on the list?

[77ncaachamps]

"Back in the day" is the most irritating phrase in the English language.  How can that not be on the list?

That might have made it in the American English list...but not the British one.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I also don't like "could care less"...

It should be "Couldn't care less".

[muwarrior87]

"not gonna lie..." is awful!! I hate it. does that mean every time someone who says this doesn't say it, they are lying? Didn't really hear it until I got to college. Then I heard it all the time.

[Hards Alumni]

"not gonna lie..." is awful!! I hate it. does that mean every time someone who says this doesn't say it, they are lying? Didn't really hear it until I got to college. Then I heard it all the time.

I agree.

also, "To be perfectly honest with you" or "I'm going to be perfectly honest with you"  either varation.

everytime they don't preface what they say the phrase, are we to suppose they are not being perfectly honest?

[77ncaachamps]

I agree.

also, "To be perfectly honest with you" or "I'm going to be perfectly honest with you"  either varation.

everytime they don't preface what they say the phrase, are we to suppose they are not being perfectly honest?

Agreed. It's a shame when people say that because it presumes that the world is full of liars and honest people do not exist.

It eliminates positive presumptions and the kindness and goodness of people.

[Mayor McCheese]

...no pun intended...

shutup already, we know you tried to do it.

[Phi Iota Gamma 84]

Whatever

[coach85]

Having said that....

With that said......

That being said......

[IAmMarquette]

"...different than..."

idiots.

[Gwaki]

with all do respect...

[Daniel]

Farily Unique.  I hear this a lot.  Or Very unique.  The issue is: uniqueness does not admit of degrees.  Something either IS or is not unique.

[TallTitan34]

I don't really have a problem with anything on the list.

I'll agree with the "no pun intended" though.

[jaybilaswho?]

"not gonna lie..." is awful!! I hate it. does that mean every time someone who says this doesn't say it, they are lying? Didn't really hear it until I got to college. Then I heard it all the time.

100% agreed.

when people say this to me i think "i never thought you were going to lie to me, but now... i dont know."

nothing really on that list is irritating. I get irritated by:

quite frankly

My boss says this all the time. drives me nuts.

[radome]

I'm a Naval Officer.  "With all due respect" is almost always followed by something disrespectful.

[LON]

I want to gouge out the eyes of every person that says "irregardless"

Or when someone says "de-thaw" instead of defrost or thaw.

[IAmMarquette]

I want to gouge out the eyes of every person that says "irregardless"

Or when someone says "de-thaw" instead of defrost or thaw.

"Unthaw" is even worse.

[RawdogDX]

I agree.

also, "To be perfectly honest with you" or "I'm going to be perfectly honest with you"  either variation.

everytime they don't preface what they say the phrase, are we to suppose they are not being perfectly honest?

no that is used to soften a blow and let someone know that what they are about to hear isn't what they were hoping to hear.  So that when the news/response/opinion that follows comes out the person doesn't have an adverse reaction to the bluntness or are at least less likely to go on the defensive.  I wonder why it is that people who are easily annoyed by everything gravitate towards internet chat boards. 

[Hards Alumni]

the same reason people who like to criticize everything like to, I'd imagine.

and you just like to disagree with me and play devil's advocate, I understand.

[MUEng92]

This is getting slightly off topic, because it is grammatical error rather than an annoying saying, but what is it with otherwise intelligent people saying, "borrow me a...." rather than "lend me a....".

I can't tell you the number of times I have heard someone say it here (I don't remember hearing it before moving to Wisconsin though).  It still startles me when someone says it.  They just sound stupid.

[muwarrior87]

agree on the borrow and lend. i don't hear it that often but it's still like 'use the words correctly please'

[Pardner]

"Seamlessly"

The only thing that is "seamless" is a leisure suit.