[bodhigirlsmiles]

A top 10 of irritating expressions has been compiled by researchers at Oxford University. Heading the list was the expression 'at the end of the day', which was followed in second place by the phrase 'fairly unique'.
The tautological statement "I personally" made third place – an expression that BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphreys has described as "the linguistic equivalent of having chips with rice."

Also making the top 10 is the grammatically incorrect "shouldn't of", instead of "shouldn't have".

The phrases appear in a book called Damp Squid, named after the mistake of confusing a squid with a squib, a type of firework.

The researchers who compiled the list monitor the use of phrases in a database called the Oxford University Corpus, which comprises books, papers, magazines, broadcast, the internet and other sources.

The database alerts them to new words and phrases and can tell them which expressions are disappearing. It also shows how words are being misused.

As well as the above expressions, the book's author Jeremy Butterfield says that many annoyingly over-used expressions actually began as office lingo, such as 24/7 and "synergy".

Other phrases to irritate people are "literally" and "ironically", when they are used out of context.

Mr Butterfield said: "We grow tired of anything that is repeated too often – an anecdote, a joke, a mannerism – and the same seems to happen with some language."

The top ten most irritating phrases:

1 - At the end of the day

2 - Fairly unique

3 - I personally

4 - At this moment in time

5 - With all due respect

6 - Absolutely

7 - It's a nightmare

8 - Shouldn't of

9 - 24/7

10 - It's not rocket science

Information from: Telegraph.co.uk, http://www.telegraph.co.uk

so....are any of you guilty??

[kmoney]

At the end of the day, I personally say some of them. Absolutely. However, with all due respect, they shouldn't of been so judgmental. I don't think I'm fairly unique in using them. They might not use them 24/7, but at least sometimes. I could probably even come up with a different list. It's not rocket science. Oh well, it's a nightmare.....

[TomO]

#10 is my downfall.


Said by TomO too often:

"This is not Rocket Science people!"


...but then; if they'd get it right I wouldn't have to say it!

[bodhigirlsmiles]

Originally Posted by kmoney

At the end of the day, I personally say some of them. Absolutely. However, with all due respect, they shouldn't of been so judgmental. I don't think I'm fairly unique in using them. They might not use them 24/7, but at least sometimes. I could probably even come up with a different list. It's not rocket science. Oh well, it's a nightmare.....

that was wonderful! thank you....

i was surprised at a few of them myself. seems a little too harsh to me!

[ebenz47037]

They're wrong. The most annoying phrase I've ever heard (too often by teenagers today) is, "My bad!"

[Granite]

I detest, loathe, and despise a whole nother. As in, "Well that's a whole nother situation."

[assuranceagent]

"Oh Snap" Makes me want to jam an ice pick in my ear.

[bodhigirlsmiles]

Originally Posted by Granite

I detest, loathe, and despise a whole nother. As in, "Well that's a whole nother situation."

my personal favorite...."and what not"

[koban]

Squids are happiest when kept damp.

[Granite]

Originally Posted by bodhigirlsmiles

my personal favorite...."and what not"

How about: "Presently, right now."

[koban]

I still use "Oh snap", "you poned me" and "you go girlfriend" to mock annoying kids.

[bodhigirlsmiles]

Originally Posted by Granite

How about: "Presently, right now."

that's a good one. what about incorrect usage of contractions....

"where's the crayons?" for example.

[koban]

A popular phrase around here in certain circles is "for what its worth".

Usually that which follows is not worth much.

[bodhigirlsmiles]

Originally Posted by koban

I still use "Oh snap", "you poned me" and "you go girlfriend" to mock annoying kids.

"you poned me"?? that's a new one for me.

[bodhigirlsmiles]

Originally Posted by koban

A popular phrase around here in certain circles is "for what its worth".

Usually that which follows is not worth much.

for what it's worth, koban has a gentle humor about him.