Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[gradus]

'you know something/what...' too often said by politicians.

'Agency' seems to be cropping up regularly too.

[LMcD]

'you know something...' too often said by politicians.

'Agency' seems to be cropping up regularly too.

'Robust' is used far too often for my liking - robust recovery plan, robust defence, robust system ....

[Stanfordian]

'Curating' increasingly used on BBC progs.

[ahinton]

‘It is what it is’ - quite a useful comment, but can be annoying if used too much! A verbal shrug! Actually, on reflection, I quite like it!

It reminds me all too uncomfortably of TM the PM's "we are where we are" and "B****t mean B****t" (which she now seems largely to have dropped in favour of "I'm clear...")...

[ahinton]

'Curating' increasingly used on BBC progs.

When first I encountered it I did wonder what a "Q" rating was...

[Bryn]

When first I encountered it I did wonder what a "Q" rating was...

Another Americanism, this time for Rajar scores.

Oh, and America's Q bomb is currently being featured on Film 4.

[kernelbogey]

It may be a weasel word in that situation, though I would read it as 'We suspect that (or 'We suspect that … not' depending on context) - though have been unable to confirm.' Depending on what/when/why I quite welcome it as a cautious statement about something I'm interested in. Not so much, 'We don't know' as 'We don't know for sure - but we have reason to suspect'. There is a possibility about which I (i.e. me) was unaware.

A useful perspective - thanks, FF - which I shall test next time I encounter the phrase.

[Serial_Apologist]

'Robust' is used far too often for my liking - robust recovery plan, robust defence, robust system ....

Yesssssssssssssss!!!

I first remember the term being offered with implicit approval wass during the Falklands War, whenever British troops were in action, it being described as "robust action". Ridiculously macho trope for "it's fine as long as "we" are doing the action" suggestive of our reassurance that it must then be OK.

[kernelbogey]

'Robust' is used far too often for my liking....

It makes me think of British-made bicycles of the late 1940s!

[oddoneout]

It may be a weasel word in that situation, though I would read it as 'We suspect that (or 'We suspect that … not' depending on context) - though have been unable to confirm.' Depending on what/when/why I quite welcome it as a cautious statement about something I'm interested in. Not so much, 'We don't know' as 'We don't know for sure - but we have reason to suspect'. There is a possibility about which I (i.e. me) was unaware.

In some circumstances it can seem as if a criticism or judgement is being voiced,but in such a way that there can be no reasonable objection to the statement; the implication may there though. For instance, depending on the situation the phrase "It is not clear if person X will be present..." can in effect be saying that I/we/ most would expect that person X should be there, but it seems that is or will not be the case. At face value it is simply expressing uncertainty as you say, but the context may put a different emphasis.

[Serial_Apologist]

"Man up" - a phrase often heard in these supposedly transgender-tolerant times, and one that seems to go ignominiouosly together with the injunction to "get some balls", which of course would involve expensive surgical add-ons for women for the courage to do whatever they are apparently required for.

Sorry to end that sentance a preposition with...

And I testicularly detest the term "ballsy" as used to describe, for instance, energetic music, or outspoken honesty.

[LMcD]

A BBC News report about 3 young lads who hijacked a bus and drove it around Dartmouth concludes by informing the reader that the offenders 'were taken home and de-arrested'.

[teamsaint]

A BBC News report about 3 young lads who hijacked a bus and drove it around Dartmouth concludes by informing the reader that the offenders 'were taken home and de-arrested'.

Presumably they had been told how to conduct themselves in future.

( anybody managing to drive a bus round Dartmouth is doing pretty well though.....)

[Joseph K]

'Literally' is often used now in contexts which beg the question 'Did you think we thought you meant metaphorically?'

[Serial_Apologist]

Presumably they had been told how to conduct themselves in future.

( anybody managing to drive a bus round Dartmouth is doing pretty well though.....)

That's the ticket!