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Oxford compiles list of top ten irritating phrases
telegraph UK ^
| 10/7/2008
| Charlotte Bailey
Posted on 11/07/2008 12:52:42 PM PST by redrunner
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.
....
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
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: words
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To: SolidWood
#3 Yes we can You need to say it louder.
#3 Yes we can
101
posted on
11/07/2008 3:30:34 PM PST
by
Arrowhead1952
(The USA is now under Marxist siege.)
To: Dysart
LOLOL! No, I guess I’ve never quite been to Utar. Are there seriously people who pronounce it like that? Too funny!
102
posted on
11/07/2008 3:39:49 PM PST
by
Hegemony Cricket
(Who are you going to believe, the trusted MSM polls or your lying eyes? ~ Mr. Lucky)
To: Dysart
ohhhh Wise guy, eh?
Having never been a 3 Stooges fan (flame suit on) I'm hoping the correct response is "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!" :)
103
posted on
11/07/2008 3:48:58 PM PST
by
astyanax
(If you need to wear a mask while speaking your mind, it is probably best you remain silent...)
To: redrunner
“The fact of the matter is...”
104
posted on
11/07/2008 3:55:00 PM PST
by
Petronski
(Things fall apart, it's scientific.)
To: redrunner
My number 1 most irritating phrase: Reaching across the aisle.
105
posted on
11/07/2008 4:09:17 PM PST
by
barker
(Does Sarah still rock? You betcha.)
To: redrunner
Did someone say ORIENTATED?
106
posted on
11/07/2008 5:45:38 PM PST
by
JoeProBono
(Do dying fish in Lincoln Park pond feel pain?)
To: barker
How about saying someone is “Challenged”
To: redrunner
108
posted on
11/07/2008 6:25:20 PM PST
by
ADemocratNoMore
(Jeepers, Freepers, where'd 'ya get those sleepers?. Pj people, exposing old media's lies.)
To: redrunner
A word I see increasing in use....'brilliant!.'
Used as a descriptive adjective. Its rarely appropriate and usually ridiculous in this application unless one is referring to a newly waxed vehicle.
109
posted on
11/07/2008 7:59:53 PM PST
by
Tainan
(Talk is cheap. Silence is golden. All I got is brass...lotsa brass.)
To: LS
“frankly.” Whenever anyone says that, I know he/she is lying. Be careful...I use it all the time, and I always mean what I'm about to say when I say it.
110
posted on
11/09/2008 8:17:05 PM PST
by
Mr. Silverback
(It's time to turn about, like Sheridan at Cedar Creek. Let's punch them out of their boots!)
To: redrunner
"In the rest of the world, soccer is called football."
"Comfort food."
"Alpha male."
111
posted on
11/09/2008 8:18:41 PM PST
by
Clemenza
(Red is the Color of Virility, Blue is the Color of Impotence)
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