Spoiler alert: This story contains words and phrases that some people want to ban from the English language. “Spoiler alert” is among them. So are “kick the can down the road,” ‘’trending” and “bucket list.”
A dirty dozen have landed on the 38th annual List of Words to be Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. The nonbinding, tongue-in-cheek decree released Monday by northern Michigan’s Lake Superior State University is based on nominations submitted from the United States, Canada and beyond.
“Fiscal cliff” was at the top of the list.
I’ll tell you what phrase I hate hearing: “Not a problem.”
I especially hate it when I buy something at a store, thank the clerk (who really should be thanking me) and he replies, “Not a problem.” Well good, I’m glad it wasn’t a problem for you to sell me something so that you still have a job.
If someone says, “Thanks” then the proper reply ought to be a simple, “You’re welcome” or maybe, “My pleasure.”
Okay, enough crumudgeonism from me for one day.
I’m spending the day reading and should have some reviews up later or tomorrow. I don’t want to dwell on depressing news (such as the big push for a new “AWB”) as the New Year rolls in.
Have a happy and safe one, folks.
8 Responses to “Tired Phrases”
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on 31 Dec 2012 at 10:39 am # tkdkerry
Brother, am I ever with you on “Not a problem.” On my more curmudgeonly days I’m likely to correct the clerk ( or whomever ).
on 31 Dec 2012 at 11:14 am # Rich
I don’t even bother because they are not listening in the least. If the person says your welcome I wish them a happy day because they my actually hear it.
on 31 Dec 2012 at 1:12 pm # Keith (one of many)
Not to be too curmudgeonly myself, but shouldn’t it be “you’re welcome” instead of “your welcome”?
on 31 Dec 2012 at 2:19 pm # Jeff
Yes. I’ll correct it now. My bad from writing at 5:30 in the morning.
on 31 Dec 2012 at 4:48 pm # comatus
“Curmudgeon” was probably the first word to make this list, back when Dr Johnson was in charge. Interesting etymology, curmudgeon. It’s right up there with “pastern.”
My bona fides (banned word) as a curmudgeon: I’m annually outraged (used to be “obnoxed” until that made the list) at BenWah College’s arrogation of What Freshmen Can’t Be Expected to Know. A little behind them comes my mild pique (is that on the list yet?) at how Lake Superior State got to be the arbiter of English usage. I have been to the U.P. (in the winter, too!), and though it’s lovely in many ways, I was not blown away by the erudition there.
on 01 Jan 2013 at 1:07 pm # RigelDog
Oh yeah, I really do hate the “no problem” reply. It’s almost always used in a completely inappropriate way. The connotation is that the speaker has graciously just done YOU a big favor, but I’ve even had people respond this way to me when I’ve just kinda done THEM a favor.
on 01 Jan 2013 at 3:58 pm # TNRix
As long as venting is still appropriate, let me add “Sorry ’bout that” to the list. Why don’t they just look you in the eye and say: “I really could not care less about the situation. I’m too busy being wrapped up in myself.” Whatever happened to a sincere “I’m sorry”?
on 02 Jan 2013 at 10:02 am # dustydog
‘De nada’ has a tradition of use as ‘you’re welcome’. Without being a linguistics expert, I wonder if ‘not a problem’ is bleed-over from a foreign language.