Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[Serial_Apologist]

That is no doubt true in a number of responses but it is also true that others respond with an almost ill-disguised smug satisfaction when asked an obvious question for which they are well-prepared. So it is indeed a 'good question' to them!

However, whether the pre-prepared "answer" actually answers the question is another matter altogether, I agree!

More and more, these days, I see interviewers, especially from the BBC, feeding political interviewees the sorts of questions they've forgotten to supply in answer to questions they haven't even been asked. It's as if the interviewer is doing his or her best to give the interviewee an easy life!

I'm always reminded of that bit of footage of Oswald Moseley, when leader of the British Union of Fascists in his military-style uniform, being interviewed by an interviewer who is asking clearly pre-prepared questions - each one to which Moseley answers, slowly turning to the camera and fixing it with his cold gaze.

[gradus]

'Chelsea Show an event sponsored by M and G Investments', said repeatedly by Monty Don and Joe Swift during this week's live coverage.

[Ferretfancy]

This may have been in earlier posts, but here goes. Once upon a time people used to talk of bringing up children, now, possibly inspired by The Guardian, they call it 'parenting'

I hate this awful term. It seems to imply that 'parenting' is a job that has to be carefully studied, fuelled by middle class fears, and weakness is not allowed. To be successful, parents must of course buy the correct clothing for their offspring, plonk them in a huge and expensive buggy and go off to find the school approved by their peers.
Any parents who take a more relaxed attitude are of course looked down on, or patronised at the best. I meet these people in my voluntary job and they fill me with despair, but then the main driving force in middle class life is anxiety, so I shouldn't be surprised.

[ahinton]

This may have been in earlier posts, but here goes. Once upon a time people used to talk of bringing up children, now, possibly inspired by The Guardian, they call it 'parenting'

I hate this awful term. It seems to imply that 'parenting' is a job that has to be carefully studied, fuelled by middle class fears, and weakness is not allowed. To be successful, parents must of course buy the correct clothing for their offspring, plonk them in a huge and expensive buggy and go off to find the school approved by their peers.
Any parents who take a more relaxed attitude are of course looked down on, or patronised at the best. I meet these people in my voluntary job and they fill me with despair, but then the main driving force in middle class life is anxiety, so I shouldn't be surprised.

But don't you think that such peer pressure would bring this about whether or not is was called "parenting"? Parenting is just one of many so many verbs created from nouns wherewith present-day English is shot through.

[french frank]

nouns wherewith which present-day English is shot through.

Is that a Scottish construction?

[Serial_Apologist]

Is that a Scottish construction?

As is "gotten", I presume.

[ahinton]

Is that a Scottish construction?

No; not a Forth Bridge but a msprnt, now duly corrected - apologies!

[teamsaint]

This may have been in earlier posts, but here goes. Once upon a time people used to talk of bringing up children, now, possibly inspired by The Guardian, they call it 'parenting'

I hate this awful term. It seems to imply that 'parenting' is a job that has to be carefully studied, fuelled by middle class fears, and weakness is not allowed. To be successful, parents must of course buy the correct clothing for their offspring, plonk them in a huge and expensive buggy and go off to find the school approved by their peers.
Any parents who take a more relaxed attitude are of course looked down on, or patronised at the best. I meet these people in my voluntary job and they fill me with despair, but then the main driving force in middle class life is anxiety, so I shouldn't be surprised.

You should write a book on the subject.......

( wish you had written and I had read this post 30 years ago......)

[Nick Armstrong]

'Go girl'.

Do people often say this to you?

[Ferretfancy]

Do people often say this to you?

Cool!

[Nick Armstrong]

"Listen up, guys"

[Serial_Apologist]

Hiya Caliban,

I shouldn't really rise to your bait! Is it a rule here that it has to be said to me to stop me liking hearing it? My post is about is what annoys me not what annoys you. If the term doesn't annoy you, then good for you!

I thing that's really funny!

(I guess I must have a BSOH!)

[Stanfordian]

I thing that's really funny!

(I guess I must have a BSOH!)

Yes, very typical of you to side yourself with the school bully. Get back to stroking your cat!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

yes, very typical of you to side yourself with the school bully. Get back to stroking your cat!

Caliban????!!!!!

[Serial_Apologist]

Caliban????!!!!!

I reckon somebody got out of bed the wrong side this morning! - (he said in a Frankie Howerd manner).