Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Just what is the objection to "anytime soon"?

I have no idea! Is there a similar "problem" with "any day now"?

[Nick Armstrong]

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"

I have trouble defining a difference. Can anyone assist?

I think the objection to 'any time soon' is that it has acquired a rather jangling catch-phrase quality due to overuse of late.

[subcontrabass]

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"?

In that context there is an implication that "anytime soon" is redundant.

[jean]

I don't see how anyone can claim it's redundant - surely the objection is rather that its meaning could be better expressed by something more serious and more...well...English.

...'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?...

It's only post-modern irony now that it's been pored over and picked apart by this thread. Before that, it was just something people said, in a light-hearted and unselfconscious sort of way.

(I prefer any time soon, though.)

.

[vinteuil]

I have trouble defining a difference. Can anyone assist?.

"I won't be doing that any time soon" has the implication that - probably, or at least quite possibly - I won't ever be doing it. Hence subcontra's "redundant".

"I won't be doing that in the near future" doesn't seem to have such implicature - I'm not doing it immediately, but I might do it later.

[jean]

"I won't be doing that any time soon" has the implication that - probably, or at least quite possibly - I won't ever be doing it. Hence subcontra's "redundant".

I think you're probably right - but that's quite a chunk of meaning to be so readily dismissed!

[Nick Armstrong]

"I won't be doing that any time soon" has the implication that - probably, or at least quite possibly - I won't ever be doing it. Hence subcontra's "redundant".

"I won't be doing that in the near future" doesn't seem to have such implicature - I'm not doing it immediately, but I might do it later.

Helpful, yes, thanks vindepays. Although I think context and tone of voice could deliver the same implication with the latter phrase: e.g. on seeing someone perform a dangerous stunt - "I won't be doing that in the near future" implying "never"....

[Padraig]

I'm quite astonished by the volume of comment on my choice of phrase that sets my teeth on edge. Who would have thought it could have sparked such wit and wisdom. For myself, it is a phrase that drips too easily from the lips of television reporters who have to conclude their piece; it's a cliché like the tin hat, the wellies, or the high visibility jacket. It just..... sets my teeth on edge. However, I don't think I'll risk rocking the boat again for a while, certainly not in the next few hours or days.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I'm quite astonished by the volume of comment on my choice of phrase that sets my teeth on edge. Who would have thought it could have sparked such wit and wisdom. For myself, it is a phrase that drips too easily from the lips of television reporters who have to conclude their piece; it's a cliché like the tin hat, the wellies, or the high visibility jacket. It just..... sets my teeth on edge. However, I don't think I'll risk rocking the boat again for a while, certainly not in the next few hours or days.

Oh no, Padraig, No!! The whole point of this Thread is to rock boats - keep 'em coming.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

"Keep 'em coming!"

[P. G. Tipps]

Oh no, Padraig, No!! The whole point of this Thread is to rock boats - keep 'em coming.

Absolutely!

And if we manage to sink a posh liner so much the better ...

[P. G. Tipps]

'So much the better!'

[french frank]

I'm quite astonished by the volume of comment on my choice of phrase that sets my teeth on edge. Who would have thought it could have sparked such wit and wisdom. For myself, it is a phrase that drips too easily from the lips of television reporters who have to conclude their piece; it's a cliché like the tin hat, the wellies, or the high visibility jacket. It just..... sets my teeth on edge. However, I don't think I'll risk rocking the boat again for a while, certainly not in the next few hours or days.

Ha,ha! - your fatal mistake was to put the phrase in inverted commas - from which inferences were drawn, possibly well beyond what was intended

[Nick Armstrong]

My earlier objection to the verb curate was to its use in recent broadcasting etc media meaning 'to programme a concert / a series of concerts'.

You are not alone - master of the period keyboard Mahan Esfahani has just posted this on his facebook page:

Just so you don't all think I'm a big softie...if I see one more person referring to their activities in organising a simple concert as "curating" (especially if it's in a car park or a cellar) then I'm going to barbecue one of those kittens.

[gradus]

'I completely think ............'

Occasionally crops up and I wish it wouldn't.