Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[Pabmusic]

memories can be recent......

Really??

[jean]

The related phrase ("Get a ...") brings back memories.

Of the allusion, or the fact?

[jean]

Good Morning ...

I don't see the usefulness of the phrase at all, I'm afraid.

It's surely sufficient simply to predict that "something" is most unlikely to happen. To add 'any time soon' suggests a degree of uncertainty in the prediction of the non-appearance of the "something", a sort of political-style 'escape-clause' if the "something" does happen, thanks to one's own definition of 'soon'...

True enough, the phrase under discussion won't fit comfortably into the sort of arch, old-fashioned, super-pedantic way of talking of which this post is such a good example.

[Pabmusic]

Of the allusion, or the fact?

The fact. Or what I thought was the fact.

Or what might have been the fact, even if I hadn't thought of it.

Or...

[Nick Armstrong]

True enough, the phrase under discussion won't fit comfortably into the sort of arch, old-fashioned, super-pedantic way of talking of which this post is such a good example.

I do agree that the now-vexed 'any time soon' has its own little special and useful meaning. That doesn't necessarily stop it being annoying. A number of the 'management speak' phrases that lead to dental grinding nonetheless do have a compact meaning which may be difficult to convey as succinctly in 'non-annoying' language, hence the fact that they catch on. Is there an alternative phrase that conveys the full meaning of 'blue-sky thinking' in four syllables?

[antongould]

I do agree that the now-vexed 'any time soon' has its own little special and useful meaning. That doesn't necessarily stop it being annoying. A number of the 'management speak' phrases that lead to dental grinding nonetheless do have a compact meaning which may be difficult to convey as succinctly in 'non-annoying' language, hence the fact that they catch on. Is there an alternative phrase that conveys the full meaning of 'blue-sky thinking' in four syllables?

... Balderdash?

I could also think of another beginning with b ......

[vinteuil]

Is there an alternative phrase that conveys the full meaning of 'blue-sky thinking' in four syllables?

... "outside the box" ?

No, didn't think you'ld like it....

[Serial_Apologist]

... Balderdash?

I could also think of another beginning with b ......

That's only three syllables, if you exclude the question mark.

[Nick Armstrong]

That's only three syllables, if you exclude the question mark.

ok ok I should have said 'four syllables or fewer' ...

Actually, as regards 'any time soon' - what's wrong with the less artful and annoying 'in the near future'?

That's not going happen in the near future...

Means just about the same, doesn't it?

[P. G. Tipps]

True enough, the phrase under discussion won't fit comfortably into the sort of arch, old-fashioned, super-pedantic way of talking of which this post is such a good example.

Accuracy and an avoidance of meaningless phrases, whether the language be deemed by one as 'old-fashioned' or "new-fangled", are rather different from pedantry, super or otherwise, madam ...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Actually, as regards 'any time soon' - what's wrong with the less artful and annoying 'in the near future'?

It's got five syllables.

[Nick Armstrong]

It's got five syllables.

I was talking about something else!

[teamsaint]

It's got five syllables.

There are choirs that could get a lot more than 5 syllables out of that phrase.

[french frank]

It's got five syllables.

In fact, if you compare 'ANytime SOON' with 'IN the near FUTure', rhythmically they would naturally both have two stresses (oh, yes they would!). I forgot 'near future' when I said in the foreseeable/immediate future. You even have the option of giving it the nuance 'in the VERY near future'.

I'm not sure why it matters that there is nothing 'funny' about it, and 'anytime soon' is only 'funny' in a kind of arch sense ('Listen to me saying 'anytime soon' ho, ho'). Post-modern irony. And how annoying is THAT?

In my opinion.

[vinteuil]

I have no problem with 'anytime soon'.

There is surely a difference between -

"I won't be doing that anytime soon"

and

"I won't be doing that in the near future"

Just what is the objection to "anytime soon"?