Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[jean]

... a nice demonstration of the benefits of the oxford comma. The formulation above would seem to imply that there are two stations : one serving terminals 4 and 1, the other serving terminals 2 and 3.

Whereas with the oxford comma - "Terminals 4 and 1, 2, and 3" it is perhaps a little clearer that we are talking about a station serving terminal 4, and another serving terminals 1, 2, and 3.

Doesn't seem much clearer to me - don't we really need "Terminal 4, and Terminals 1, 2 & 3" with or without the Oxford comma?

[LMcD]

Doesn't seem much clearer to me - don't we really need "Terminal 4, and Terminals 1, 2 & 3" with or without the Oxford comma?

If you're referring to Heathrow Airport, Terminal 1 closed in 2015. There is, of course, a Terminal 5...

[kernelbogey]

Grab.

Has its uses, but can have a side that I don't like.

'Grab a coffee' has become routine (although grabbing one could lead to serious injury ). But no one ever says 'Let's grab a pint', do they?

I suppose it's a way of lightly denigrating the desire for something pleasurable or restorative, without appearing to abandon one's hectic lifestyle....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

'Grab a coffee' has become routine (although grabbing one could lead to serious injury ). But no one ever says 'Let's grab a pint', do they?

I suppose it's a way of lightly denigrating the desire for something pleasurable or restorative, without appearing to abandon one's hectic lifestyle....

[MrGongGong]

But no one ever says 'Let's grab a pint', do they?
.

I know people who do
but much prefer my Irish mate Paul "two scoops"
who always asks if I fancied a couple of "scoops" which always led to more and endless diddly-diddly music in D

[Nick Armstrong]

no one ever says 'Let's grab a pint', do they?

All the time! Just as frequently as 'grab a coffee' in my experience!

[teamsaint]

Well it just doesn’t grab me.......

[Lat-Literal]

Has anyone mentioned "grab a bite to eat"?

It's ludicrous.

Elsewhere, I don't like the frequent use of "bit" to describe a measure of liquid.

"Add a bit of water".

No.

Add a drop of water.

[oddoneout]

Elsewhere, I don't like the frequent use of "bit" to describe a measure of liquid.

"Add a bit of water".

No.

Add a drop of water.

Except that to me 'a bit' gives a greater range( by inviting 'how much?' as clarification) regarding quantity than 'drop', which implies a very small amount, possibly less than is actually needed.

[Lat-Literal]

Except that to me 'a bit' gives a greater range( by inviting 'how much?' as clarification) regarding quantity than 'drop', which implies a very small amount, possibly less than is actually needed.

Well, a few drops or a small drop or a large drop, perhaps.

But "bit" is surely for solids (or powders)?

[oddoneout]

'Grab a coffee' has become routine (although grabbing one could lead to serious injury ). But no one ever says 'Let's grab a pint', do they?...

'Grab a beer' seems to be common usage, possibly a reflection of the easy availability of bottles or cans of the stuff, and their common presence in the domestic fridge.

[kernelbogey]

All the time! Just as frequently as 'grab a coffee' in my experience!

You're just so metro, Cali!

[cloughie]

'Grab a beer' seems to be common usage, possibly a reflection of the easy availability of bottles or cans of the stuff, and their common presence in the domestic fridge.

Or when I say to Mrs C ‘I’ll just nip down for a swift half’ and she replies ‘lt won’t be a half and it won’t be swift’!

[jean]

A TV interviewer pursuing a manufacturer of flammable cladding the other day tried to grab a few words with him (without success).

[LMcD]

Or when I say to Mrs C ‘I’ll just nip down for a swift half’ and she replies ‘lt won’t be a half and it won’t be swift’!

Tell her you're going for a dollop of wallop.