Page 3 | To be sick of pretentious use of “said”

Original poster

Driftingawaynow · 16/10/2025 08:49

But “said” isn’t a long and confusing word. And the use of it on MN is not in line with real world use in my humble opinion. It seems to me like people are sticking into posts in the hope that it will make them appear intelligent/witty/interesting. Absolutely fair enough if you would do it in real life, but I’ve never once heard this. Maybe I need to get out more.

OP posts:

logplant · 16/10/2025 08:40

GreyCarpet · 16/10/2025 07:30

I get increasingly irritated by the dumbing down of language and anyone using anything more complex than text speak being seen as pretentious.

I agree with this.

When I was a teenager, I had a more sophisticated lexicon than my parents and I was often mocked by my mother who accused me of using my intelligence against her and other people by using 'big words'.

I was just using the most appropriate word rather than describing the same concept in half a dozen or so other 'less sophisticated' words.

Now when I read criticism of other people's language for being 'pretentious', I tend to assume they are also accusing others of 'using your intelligence against me', which says more about the person complaining than it does about the person speaking.

If other people are using words you don't understand or in a context you're not familiar with, the failing, if there is one, is probably not with them.

With all that intelligence you should be able to flex your choice of words so that you communicate effectively with your mother if that is your intention.

squashyhat · 16/10/2025 08:39

UnctuousUnicorns · 14/10/2025 15:27

I agree. "Aforementioned" would be much better imo.

And once again, this is why we need the laugh reaction.

Original poster

Driftingawaynow · 16/10/2025 08:38

BruisedNeckMeat · 16/10/2025 08:27

There are a few of these MN affectations that I rarely see anywhere else. I think it’s because MN is a rather snobby place and so posters want to display their superior intellect.

One that bugs me is stating that one is ‘large of boob’ or ‘long of leg’ rather than just ‘I have big boobs and long legs’.

Exactly this!

OP posts:

BruisedNeckMeat · 16/10/2025 08:27

There are a few of these MN affectations that I rarely see anywhere else. I think it’s because MN is a rather snobby place and so posters want to display their superior intellect.

One that bugs me is stating that one is ‘large of boob’ or ‘long of leg’ rather than just ‘I have big boobs and long legs’.

logplant · 16/10/2025 08:16

B1anche · 16/10/2025 08:12

People who say "myself" in instead of "me". I see people do it all the time when I'm reviewing their work.

"Dear X Further to your meeting with Blanche and myself..." No! "...with me and Blanche"!

In general there is an over use of myself, something like - I myself feel I wouldn’t like to go, personally speaking. It’s just not needed.

B1anche · 16/10/2025 08:12

People who say "myself" in instead of "me". I see people do it all the time when I'm reviewing their work.

"Dear X Further to your meeting with Blanche and myself..." No! "...with me and Blanche"!

EllatrixB · 16/10/2025 07:57

thistimelastweek · 14/10/2025 19:22

Same goes for 'disgusting'.

Shit on your shoe is disgusting .
Waitrose running out of avocados is a bit disappointing.

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This really annoys me. I used to have a primary school headteacher who described very minor infractions as "dizzzzgusting" and it took away the power of the word for me! Even at that's age we could see she was exaggerating.

ttcat37 · 16/10/2025 07:53

My bugbear is when people use the word myself instead of I or me. “My partner and myself” makes me have an internal tantrum

1457bloom · 16/10/2025 07:37

Using the word said in this way is just common.

Fizbosshoes · 16/10/2025 07:36

Vile and grim are really overused on MN , particularly about ensuite bathrooms, toilet brushes and anyone who doesnt have 5 showers a day or wash their clothes and bedding hourly.

I hate "literally" ....when used inappropriately.

An acquaintance at my running club did a race that she found tough, and said "i literally died" ...erm you clearly didnt because you are here telling me about it!

Bluecrystal2 · 16/10/2025 07:35

Yes, very annoying, especially if used with hand quotes; in fact anything accompanied by hand quotes irritates me.

GreyCarpet · 16/10/2025 07:30

I get increasingly irritated by the dumbing down of language and anyone using anything more complex than text speak being seen as pretentious.

I agree with this.

When I was a teenager, I had a more sophisticated lexicon than my parents and I was often mocked by my mother who accused me of using my intelligence against her and other people by using 'big words'.

I was just using the most appropriate word rather than describing the same concept in half a dozen or so other 'less sophisticated' words.

Now when I read criticism of other people's language for being 'pretentious', I tend to assume they are also accusing others of 'using your intelligence against me', which says more about the person complaining than it does about the person speaking.

If other people are using words you don't understand or in a context you're not familiar with, the failing, if there is one, is probably not with them.

GreyCarpet · 16/10/2025 07:17

GreyCarpet · 16/10/2025 07:06

I've read peope containing about it before on similar threads.

It's a pastiche of the last line of Jane Eyre - Reader, I married him.

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Complaining.

Springtimehere · 16/10/2025 07:09

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

GreyCarpet · 16/10/2025 07:06

Trallers · 16/10/2025 04:31

I don't particularly mind any of the things mentioned so far, although perhaps that's because all my irk right now is going on when a poster addresses us with 'reader' or 'dear reader'. It's said something along the lines of "and yes dear reader, I can confirm it did turn out to be blah blah blah". I've never heard anyone else mention that they find it annoying so I suspect it's probably just me being intolerant...

I've read peope containing about it before on similar threads.

It's a pastiche of the last line of Jane Eyre - Reader, I married him.

ShyMaryEllen · 16/10/2025 07:03

I have an unreasonable loathing of ‘purchased’ instead of ‘bought’. As a noun, it’s fine - ‘just looking through my purchases’ doesn’t bother me, but ‘I purchased a Crunchie’ makes me wasn’t to scream.

RhaenysRocks · 16/10/2025 06:52

Lurkingandlearning · 16/10/2025 06:38

Every time I see said used in that way I think of a dated court room drama and a pompous wig wearing wanker.

Do people really say it in conversation?

Yes, and it doesn't have to pompous or pretentious. I teach teens and it's incredibly depressing how poor most of their written English is. Even those going for As at A level do not write at a level they did some years ago. I actually got my old essays from the loft to see if I was just being miserable but at 17 I was writing with more complex, varied and nuanced structure than most adults now..and I wasn't precocious or unusual.

Lurkingandlearning · 16/10/2025 06:38

Every time I see said used in that way I think of a dated court room drama and a pompous wig wearing wanker.

Do people really say it in conversation?

whatevenwasthat · 16/10/2025 06:25

canyouseemyhousefromhere · 16/10/2025 00:51

I get very irritated by people who answer with “absolutely “ each time they answer a question. What is wrong with “yes”?

Edited

I know a guy who uses that word excessively, in combination with “and bits and bobs”.

It I have a 5 minute chat with him, I reckon he probably says “absolutely” and “and bits and bobs” about 7 times.

MiffyMiff · 16/10/2025 06:23

whatevenwasthat · 16/10/2025 06:18

I can’t say I have seen that, but one I do keep seeing is as per an expample ive literally just read on another thread where the OP said her fridge “needs replaced”. Not needs replacing or needs to be replaced. I see this sort of thing quite frequently and find it weirdly annoying.

I hate it too, but I was once told it is a regional thing and it is accepted grammar in some places eg Scotland.

whatevenwasthat · 16/10/2025 06:18

I can’t say I have seen that, but one I do keep seeing is as per an expample ive literally just read on another thread where the OP said her fridge “needs replaced”. Not needs replacing or needs to be replaced. I see this sort of thing quite frequently and find it weirdly annoying.

Nestingbirds · 16/10/2025 05:41

I long for the point in my life when I am so carefree I have the capacity for this elite level of said nit picking - genuinely.

PollyBell · 16/10/2025 05:11

Todayismyfavouriteday · 16/10/2025 03:36

Absolutely. It's as if the uneducated ones wanted everyone else on their level, and suddenly correct English is pretentious...

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I think of it as a variety on tall poppy syndrome

XWKD · 16/10/2025 04:59

StinkyCheeseMoose · 14/10/2025 19:08

asked my husband to take out the washing, he left said washing in the dryer.

I suppose the intention is to make it clear that the washing he left in the dryer is the same washing they asked him to take out. It's a bit unnecessary, though because it's unlikely that anyone is going to think they are talking about two different loads of washing.

It's unnecessary and a bit annoying, but hardly a hanging offense, unlike when people are talking about something someone else said and they say

Quote, unquote "He didn't take the said washing out"

instead of:

Quote "He didn't take the said washing out" Unquote.

That is a hanging offense...

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If that's a hanging offence, people who say "Quote unquote" before a quote should be peeled and salted.