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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Having ‘a cuppa’

537 replies

ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/04/2026 10:49

Why does this sentence infuriate me so? I already know I’m probably being unreasonable but it’s so grating. I can’t be the only one?

OP posts:
Additup · 19/04/2026 13:06

FrankSinatraonToast · 19/04/2026 13:02

Nothing is as bad as panties 😂

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Panties is definitely the worst. It sounds both weirdly old fashioned and really, really elderly man sex-pest-esque. Also, the only people I've heard use this word are trans women.

BunnyLake · 19/04/2026 13:06

ForCosyLion · 19/04/2026 13:05

It really is! It's just SO creepy! Has real old-perv vibes.

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It does. It’s probably the only word in the context of this thread that does genuinely make me feel actually sick.

Dappy777 · 19/04/2026 13:06

Carl Jung said that having tea was a British ritual. His point was that modern Europeans, who think they’re above primitive, ‘ritualised behaviours’, perform them without realising it. Whether you are taking high tea in an expensive hotel, or “having a cuppa” with a friend, you are performing our national ritual.

SapphireSeptember · 19/04/2026 13:06

ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/04/2026 11:37

They’re not, though. Isn’t tea a diuretic?

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It is, but it doesn't really do anything. The diuretic effect is vastly outweighed by the amount of fluid you're drinking.

PhaedraTwo · 19/04/2026 13:05

isthismylifenow · 19/04/2026 12:56

What is wrong with lunch?

We have breakfast, lunch and supper/dinner.

But then again, I do think that tea used as a term for your evening meal (dinner or supper) falls into the twee category.

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Tea for evening meal is a regional thing. It's a working class term used in Scotland, possibly less so now.

Hating its use in that sense makes the person complaining look less well informed or capable of appreciating not everyone is like them than they probably think they are.

ainsleysanob · 19/04/2026 13:05

BunnyLake · 19/04/2026 13:04

Worst word in the world. 🤢

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It is a bad one, I’ll give you that. But nothing is worse than ‘succulent’!

Original poster
ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/04/2026 13:05

FrankSinatraonToast · 19/04/2026 12:45

I also hate 'meds'. Especially when the 'meds' in question are a couple of paracetamol.
I admit to using 'sarnie' and 'Sainsbo'. Maybe I'm inadvertently giving my nearest and dearest the rage in doing so!

Oh god, I hate ‘meds’. Why? Is it because it diminishes the seriousness of having to take them?!

I don’t know why. But I hate it!

OP posts:
ForCosyLion · 19/04/2026 13:05

BunnyLake · 19/04/2026 13:04

Worst word in the world. 🤢

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It really is! It's just SO creepy! Has real old-perv vibes.

BunnyLake · 19/04/2026 13:04

Gowlett · 19/04/2026 13:04

My mum says panties. We say knicks.
Or knicky-boo boos. I’ll see myself out…

Ew I’d have to have words with your mum 😱

Gowlett · 19/04/2026 13:04

My mum says panties. We say knicks.
Or knicky-boo boos. I’ll see myself out…

BunnyLake · 19/04/2026 13:04

FrankSinatraonToast · 19/04/2026 13:02

Nothing is as bad as panties 😂

Show quote history

Worst word in the world. 🤢

ForCosyLion · 19/04/2026 13:03

"Mic drop" has become overdone, as has "hill to die on."

I think the reason most of these words and phrases are annoying is because people have heard them about 100 million times.

FrankSinatraonToast · 19/04/2026 13:02

BunnyLake · 19/04/2026 12:57

Panties 😂

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Nothing is as bad as panties 😂

lizzielizard · 19/04/2026 13:02

Nowt wrong with having a cuppa but use the words, hubby, wifey, holibobs, lounge (unless I'm in an airport or hotel) and "gives me the ick" and I'm outta here - or should that be out of here!

ForCosyLion · 19/04/2026 13:02

"our little family". 🤢

Piggywaspushed · 19/04/2026 13:01

Shithotlawyer · 19/04/2026 11:02

I think in general its having tea all the time that annoys me! Nobody needs constant hot drinks.

It's more about social customs and practices though and it's soothing and hydrating.

We have moved more to a 'coffee culture' so some of this is sneering at lowly tea drinkers. There isn't a language equivalent for coffee.

I don't say cuppa but I am not English and it's quite an English thing.

Nobody needs constant water either but I see people with water bottles on desks.

Goldengirl123 · 19/04/2026 13:01

Me too

PhaedraTwo · 19/04/2026 13:01

It’s not half as bad as when I hear ‘we enjoyed a hearty meal’

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that - or indeed most of the expressions being complained about.

ForCosyLion · 19/04/2026 12:59

To go for "a cheeky one" meaning a quick drink.

To "get with" someone. Are we all gangstas now? Seen it a few times on MN this week.

Gowlett · 19/04/2026 12:58

I do like a nice cuppa…

I hate when people say they’re going for “a coffee” “a tea or “a (cheeky) Nando’s”

We never say that where I live, it’s just “tea” “coffee” “Nando’s” (cheeky or otherwise).

isthismylifenow · 19/04/2026 12:58

ainsleysanob · 19/04/2026 12:55

Oh god! This is in my (quite lengthy!) list of irrational things that make me want to throw up!

It’s not half as bad as when I hear ‘we enjoyed a hearty meal’. That sentence really does drive the rage….

My MIL (lovely woman, no other issues apart from this!) said ‘Gan-Gan’ when talking about FIL to all her grandchildren! It used to make murderous! In fact, she never said the actual word for anything when speaking to babies and toddlers! Choc-choc, din-dins but the worst ones were Gan-Gan and Minky (milk 🤢). It’s a wonder my husband and his sister can actually communicate in English!

Edited
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Soups on MN are always hearty.
It's never just soup.

Similar to a new white shirt.
It's always crisp

Arghh

Hotafternoon · 19/04/2026 12:57

isthismylifenow · 19/04/2026 12:56

What is wrong with lunch?

We have breakfast, lunch and supper/dinner.

But then again, I do think that tea used as a term for your evening meal (dinner or supper) falls into the twee category.

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It's the word "picky" not the word lunch I find irritating.

BunnyLake · 19/04/2026 12:57

Thepeopleversuswork · 19/04/2026 12:21

It's such a cliche to complain about hubby/hubs and holibobs. You rarely go a day without there being a thread on Mumsnet about these words.

It's a bit like saying: "I love my children." It's so obvious it barely merits the action of typing it.

Can we not find more interesting words to hate?

Panties 😂

isthismylifenow · 19/04/2026 12:56

Hotafternoon · 19/04/2026 12:52

Hot choccy, bar of choccy.

Picky tea, bits, lunch

😡

What is wrong with lunch?

We have breakfast, lunch and supper/dinner.

But then again, I do think that tea used as a term for your evening meal (dinner or supper) falls into the twee category.

BunnyLake · 19/04/2026 12:55

ainsleysanob · 19/04/2026 12:55

Oh god! This is in my (quite lengthy!) list of irrational things that make me want to throw up!

It’s not half as bad as when I hear ‘we enjoyed a hearty meal’. That sentence really does drive the rage….

My MIL (lovely woman, no other issues apart from this!) said ‘Gan-Gan’ when talking about FIL to all her grandchildren! It used to make murderous! In fact, she never said the actual word for anything when speaking to babies and toddlers! Choc-choc, din-dins but the worst ones were Gan-Gan and Minky (milk 🤢). It’s a wonder my husband and his sister can actually communicate in English!

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Oh god, just no 😖😩