Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[french frank]

This is creeping into BBC speak

E.g. [made up examples] 'MPs are returning to Westminster in what is the last week before the summer recess.'

'Andy Murray is preparing for what is his final match.'

I listen in vain for what this phrase adds to the meaning.

I think the phrasing suggests an imminent event. MPs are now returning - and this will be/is the last week before …

Andy Murray is preparing, now, for his next - imminent - match which will be his last.

That's how I'd understand it.

[Pabmusic]

I think the phrasing suggests an imminent event. MPs are now returning - and this will be/is the last week before …

Andy Murray is preparing, now, for his next - imminent - match which will be his last.

That's how I'd understand it.

I think it's a way of emphasising the specialness of the event - not the fact that MPs are returning, but that this week will be ... [whatever]. Like every such construction, it can be overused.

[Serial_Apologist]

Day jar view.



Can't presenters make a modicum of effort to pronounce this phrase with at least a small nod towards correct French pronunciation?

[alycidon]

Like - just that - ‘like’. If I ever hear it again out of context I shall explode!

[Serial_Apologist]

Like - just that - ‘like’. If I ever hear it again out of context I shall explode!

"Like" has been around for a long time: I think I am now used to it. What really is a surprise (to me) is the manner in which everyone on telly and radio, from politicians to presenters to heads of this or that organisation, has taken to beginning a statement with "So..........." It's almost as if it has seized the collective ego like some virus; I can't recall it being as ubiquitous as it has become in the last few months.

[vinteuil]

Like - just that - ‘like’. If I ever hear it again out of context I shall explode!

'

... everyone ... has taken to beginning a statement with "So..."

.

... 'like' and 'so' are just filler words for the younger generation : in my day we probably used 'erm' or 'umm'. Not sure which shd be deemed more irritating after a time - we just have to accept it's part of how language works -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filler_(linguistics)

.

.

[Bryn]

'


.

... 'like' and 'so' are just filler words for the younger generation : in my day we probably used 'erm' or 'umm'. Not sure which shd be deemed more irritating after a time - we just have to accept it's part of how language works -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filler_(linguistics)

Yehr, know what I mean? Or is it an instruction? Know what I mean.

[french frank]

Day jar view.



Can't presenters make a modicum of effort to pronounce this phrase with at least a small nod towards correct French pronunciation?

Nong, since you're asking …

I think it's a way of emphasising the specialness of the event - not the fact that MPs are returning, but that this week will be ... [whatever]. Like every such construction, it can be overused.

I wasn't saying that the emphasis was on the returning, but the implication they were coming back for the final week before the recess: that it was the temporal aspect, not the specialness (is the final week before recess necessarily special?). This applies also to the second example: Andy Murray's preparations were for his imminent final match, not a final match that will be in six months time. I'd be happy to admit also the 'specialness' in some sense, but I still think the particular usage mentioned stresses the temporal aspect.

[cloughie]

Day jar view.



Can't presenters make a modicum of effort to pronounce this phrase with at least a small nod towards correct French pronunciation?

Day Jar sounds like some container in a commode! Wouldn’t want to view it!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Night Jar View:

[Serial_Apologist]

Night Jar View:

Pipped to the post!

[cloughie]

Probably been aired before but I really dislike the expression ‘rocking up’ or more often than not ‘rockin’ up’.

[MickyD]

Not sure if we have had these before, but my current pet hates are the use of 'trial' and 'gift' as verbs.

[Richard Tarleton]

Probably been aired before but I really dislike the expression ‘rocking up’ or more often than not ‘rockin’ up’.

Also used in the sense of "wearing" - "X was rocking a (insert outré item of clothing here)

[Richard Tarleton]

Probably been aired before but I really dislike the expression ‘rocking up’ or more often than not ‘rockin’ up’.

Also used in the sense of "wearing" - "X was rocking a (insert outré item of clothing or hairstyle here)"