Phrases that like really bug us all, basically

The Telegraph ^ | 5/29/2007 | Johanna Leggatt

[Mopp4]

Here's a handy list of objectionable words...

Haha ! That's cool...thanks !

[RightWhale]

My Philosophy Prof would end every explanation with “Do you understand?” How should we know? That is what he will decide after reading our final tests.

[Petronski]

Ugh!

One of the most deeply ironic aspects of American English is that "the truth of the matter is" has NEVER been followed by a statement of truth.

If you hear "the truth of the matter is," prepare for a lie, usually one that is astonishingly brash and shameless.

[johniegrad]

I’ve got an idea, let’s “tee it up” and “drill down to the details”.

[macmedic892]

I don’t know the correct grammatical terms, but “you guys” has become the formal plural usage of you."

It’s derived from the New jersese “Youse Guys”

A little further south, the plural of you is "y'all", as in "you all" or "all of you".

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

...the correct phrase is Eat your cake and have it too...

I've never heard it that way. ??

[mikrofon]

My faith instructs that “giving something back” is something that should be a part of the daily walk, not having to be reminded about it...

There is a local Public Service spot on the media here (Western NY) about the importance of organ donation and making your wishes known — the theme of the ad is “You’ve been Given the Gift of Life”, and then at the end is the rather brusque phrase, “Give It Back”.

It sounds so ridiculous and whiney, I have to shake my head whenever I hear it. It also tends to denigrate those who, for whatever reason, decide that organ donation is not for them.

[macmedic892]

"Hunker down."

This one drives my wife and me nuts when its time to prepare for a hurricane. Isn't there another way to say this?

"This page intentionally left blank."

So, let me get this straight-- The way you intended to leave it blank was not to actually leave it blank but to put words all over it. Is that correct?

[Petronski]

Americans are losing the distinction between “take” (applicable from the starting point) and “bring” (to be used in transit or at the destination).

One should not say he is going to “bring it back to where he got it,” but rather one will “take it back to where he got it,” and once in transit can say he has undertaken to “bring it back to where he got it.”

[GretchenM]

Were you allowed to say, "(Word to be defined) is where," or "(Word to be defined) is when"?

No.

Not being able to use any form of a word to define it often forced us to get very creative. That rule makes sense, and it really helped me to understand what words mean.

[Red Boots]

.A little further south, the plural of you is "y'all", as in "you all" or "all of you".My mother-in-law used to say "you people". She was from Oklahoma.

It's intersting that English doesn't have a formal, plural, present tense form of you, other than just "you".

We have they or them for describing groups of people in a general sense; but no way to address groups of people personally. Hence all the forms of "you guys; you all, you people, and youse".

This is real language development, as opposed to a lot of slang terms, which people like to claim are language development, but are really just popular usages which will soon fade.

[Betis70]

“Don’t be a hater.”

Unnnggh.

[Petronski]

Well, for me, personally, I hate redundancies.*

*This message approved by the Department of Redundancy Department, which approved this message.

[Ditter]

Yes, I think I have pointed out (jokingly of course) that I was not a guy. It’s just become of those linguistic habits that people pick up from each other. At least I don’t hear anyone say “exactly” after every comment, like a few years ago. There is one woman that when we saw her coming we would say “here comes exactly”.

[Petronski]

Gross income is all revenue.

Net income is gross income less expenses.

Net-net is Net income less taxes, or sometimes “net income less everything else.”

Net-net is the true bottom line.

[Petronski]

“My ask of you...”
“Have visibility into...”

How do you avoid bursting into laughter?

[Rightfootforward]

“Also, if you ever catch me “dialoguing,” just shoot me dead.”

LOL. Okay, but only if you promise to do the same if I ever use the words “network or networking.”

[bruinbirdman]

"> When I say, “Thank you, and told, “That’s okay.” That is a pet peeve."

"No problem"

yitbos

[bruinbirdman]

""the transsexual [or some other statistical category] community""

"Give back to your COMMUNEity."

yitbos

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

Hence all the forms of "you guys; you all, you people, and youse".

In Alabama the plural of "y'all" is "all y'all."