Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[jean]

(Some amusement to be found among the 1500+ comments underneath the article though... )

But this is probably the only one you need to read:

'She almost certainly brought suit because her health insurance refused to pay unless she brought suit. This never gets talked about in these stories, but if someone else is, at all arguably, at fault, insurance can refuse to cover you unless you help them pursue that person for damages.

It doesn't make as interesting a story as the one about the woman who sued an 8-year old, apparently.'

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

“We have rules for children,” the lawyer continued. “He was not careful. He was unsafe.”

Sure do:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_juvenile_offenders_executed_in_the_United_States_since_1976

[Nick Armstrong]

But this is probably the only one you need to read:

'She almost certainly brought suit because her health insurance refused to pay unless she brought suit. This never gets talked about in these stories, but if someone else is, at all arguably, at fault, insurance can refuse to cover you unless you help them pursue that person for damages.

It doesn't make as interesting a story as the one about the woman who sued an 8-year old, apparently.'

May well be right! Still daft and teeth-grating though!

[ahinton]

I daresay it's already been done earlier in this thread (and I'm afraid I can't be bothered to check first!), but "lessons will be / have been learnt..."; the frequency with which this one's trotted out suggests an immense additional strain on the education budget that must be the cause of considerable worry for Gideon...

[Nick Armstrong]

But this is probably the only one you need to read:

'She almost certainly brought suit because her health insurance refused to pay unless she brought suit. This never gets talked about in these stories, but if someone else is, at all arguably, at fault, insurance can refuse to cover you unless you help them pursue that person for damages.

It doesn't make as interesting a story as the one about the woman who sued an 8-year old, apparently.'

Interesting follow-up, jean, with aunt and nephew speaking side-by-side in the video accompanying this report. That comment you quote indeed seems to hit the nail on the head.

Connecticut insurance law would appear to be a ass!!

[teamsaint]

drill down.

When talking about spreadsheets and other weekday stuff.

[ahinton]

drill down.

When talking about spreadsheets and other weekday stuff.

Indeed; the last time someone uesed that one in my hearing I replied "nah; better and more environmentally friendly to use solar panels than do all that oil exploration!"...

[Beef Oven!]

drill down.

Agreed - I frackin' hate it.

[P. G. Tipps]

I do wish managers and politicians would stop using the adjective 'robust' when referring to some aspect of company policy or inquiry. The word is used so often in these circles it has now lost any meaningful 'robustness' it may once have held.

Furthermore, despite its current managerial/political ubiquity, the word now sounds horridly passé, a bit like the old Sixties 'fab' or the slightly more recent phrase 'sound as a pound'.

Any misguided wretch using the word 'robust', presumably in an attempt to impress the listener, is certainly not to be trusted, imv.

[Pabmusic]

I do wish managers and politicians would stop using the adjective 'robust' when referring to some aspect of company policy or inquiry. The word is used so often in these circles it has now lost any meaningful 'robustness' it may once have held.

Furthermore, despite its current managerial/political ubiquity, the word now sounds horridly passé, a bit like the old Sixties 'fab' or the slightly more recent phrase 'sound as a pound'.

Any misguided wretch using the word 'robust', presumably in an attempt to impress the listener, is certainly not to be trusted, imv.

I think 'robust' was OK when it genuinely meant "able to withstand attack". A robust argument certainly means something to me, as does a robust idea, plan, or even policy. The problem comes when 'robust' means nothing more than 'good', or - which is worse - 'the idea we're happy with'.

But that's what happens when words become cliches.

[P. G. Tipps]

I think 'robust' was OK when it genuinely meant "able to withstand attack". A robust argument certainly means something to me, as does a robust idea, plan, or even policy. The problem comes when 'robust' means nothing more than 'good', or - which is worse - 'the idea we're happy with'.

But that's what happens when words become cliches.

Wel, yes, precisely, there's nothing wrong with the perfectly innocent word, it's those blighters who abuse it!

On much the same tack. after an interview with some Shadow Cabinet member, Andrew Marr has pleaded with politicians of all colours to stop using the term 'hard-working families' immediately.

Quite ... Cameron, Corbyn, Farron, Sturgeon all regularly claim their parties support 'hard-working families'.

So, 'hard-working families' might now appear to be facing a very bleak future ... ?

[Padraig]

So, 'hard-working families' might now appear to be facing a very bleak future ... ?

They will become 'vulnerable' but not, I hope, 'any time soon.'

[french frank]

They will become 'vulnerable' but not, I hope, 'any time soon.'

"Whatever your feelings are towards Americanisms, there's no reason to think we'll all turn American any time soon." P. Law, 'Language change'.

[Serial_Apologist]

Wel, yes, precisely, there's nothing wrong with the perfectly innocent word, it's those blighters who abuse it!

On much the same tack. after an interview with some Shadow Cabinet member, Andrew Marr has pleaded with politicians of all colours to stop using the term 'hard-working families' immediately.

Quite ... Cameron, Corbyn, Farron, Sturgeon all regularly claim their parties support 'hard-working families'.

So, 'hard-working families' might now appear to be facing a very bleak future ... ?

I heard that too - and coming from one of Corbyn's spokeswomen it had me thinking, surely someone in the new shadow cabinet should have refreshed her on usage of political doublespeak???

Anyway, here's a term new to me, taken as happens from this morning's Sunday Politics Show:

"Pitch rolling"? Yes, you're right, it's nothing to do with footy or bowls, it's "outlining the means whereby a policy is going to be put into effect" - government minister.

[jean]

"...there's no reason to think we'll all turn American any time soon."

But what other phrase does what's wanted quite so neatly?