Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[P. G. Tipps]

Words do indeed change their meaning or, more accurately, people do.

I have occasionally been told (even by the 'neutral' BBC and politicians of all colours) that I have a 'phobia' about a certain group of people because some of my sincerely-held 'traditional' social views conflict with their own more 'radical' ones. I know this is nonsense as, contrary to any fear or hatred of anyone, one or two of these same people I counted among my closest friends and colleagues for many years. We never discussed our differences, just enjoyed the many other things we had in common.

So I consider the word 'phobia' as often used today as a silly, ill-informed term of abuse rather than an indication of any sort of psychological state. However, I certainly do admit to a real and genuine phobia concerning rats!

[french frank]

the cold hand of tedium will soon descend on this thread...)

For those just wanting to discuss a fairly harmless distaste for certain phrases and words, it already has

[Richard Barrett]

For those just wanting to discuss a fairly harmless distaste for certain phrases and words, it already has

I didn't mean the cold hand of moderation, but I guess that should have been anticipated.

[french frank]

The 'political theory' debate can continue on the Ideas and Theory board under Topical Political Theory (for want of a better title).

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?17341-Topical-political-theory

[P. G. Tipps]

'Fit For Purpose'

I switched the radio on at 06.00 this morning and 25 mins later I have already heard the phrase twice from different people.

The first person I ever heard using this term was the ex-Government Minister, John Reid, a few years ago. I am now surprised to learn from some sources below that I am not alone. Every time I hear the phrase I immediately think of John Reid. Worrying indeed.

I was rather hoping that, as always, I could once again blame the Americans for this but it appears the phrase's origin is uncertain?

http://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/fit-for-purpose

[Serial_Apologist]

'Politicise'.

[Bryn]

'apolitical'

[ahinton]

'apolitical'

Atonal

[Richard Barrett]

'apolitical'

'Politicise'.

Not sure which of these two I find more grating.

[ahinton]

Not sure which of these two I find more grating.

At least there's no such word as "tonalicise".

Is there?...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

At least there's no such word as "tonalicise".
Is there?...

???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLRlpB6PvD8

[Serial_Apologist]

???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLRlpB6PvD8

I don't think we'll ever reach a resolution.

[P. G. Tipps]

'apolitical'

What's wrong with that word ?

Most people I come across haven't the slightest bit of interest in politics or, if they have, haven't a clue what they are talking about ...

[ardcarp]

I'm sure 'conversations' has been mentioned before. Some interviewee on WATO said it 11 times today. It really gets on my......
...well it would if I had any.

[P. G. Tipps]

I'm sure 'conversations' has been mentioned before. Some interviewee on WATO said it 11 times today. It really gets on my......
...well it would if I had any.

Should be no problem getting some these days ...

Once again it's yet another Americanism, I'm afraid. Oh I know, I do tend to bang on about such things but that's meant to be a criticism of US certainly not the U.S. a country which, for the most part, I greatly admire.

The first person in the UK whom I heard using the word the American way was Alex Salmond when he talked about a 'National Conversation' when referring to the early stages of the Independence debate in Scotland some years ago.

'National Altercation' might now be considered to have been a somewhat more accurate description ... ?