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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:
SaffySaffron · 19/04/2026 11:52

KimberleyClark · 19/04/2026 10:55

Cuppa Is not as bad as sarnie.

I went to a cafe last week that sold you a sammich.

SiberFox · 19/04/2026 11:52

Hate it too.

honeylulu · 19/04/2026 11:51

God yes, I can't stand baby talk.

Cuppa
Biccies
Veggies
Roasties
Yorkies
Hubby
Drinkies
Kiddies

FFS just talk properly!

TheEllisGreyMethod · 19/04/2026 11:51

I cannot stand it

cardibach · 19/04/2026 11:50

KimberleyClark · 19/04/2026 11:23

Or dishgled, if you are in south west Wales!

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Ooo. I used to be SW Wales (name is a hint) and we said paned!

3GoldenLamps · 19/04/2026 11:50

cardibach · 19/04/2026 11:47

That’s not grinding to a halt! That’s having a little enjoyable sit down. An integral part of a day out, whatever it is you are consuming!

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There are some hilarious youtube and facebook videos where people convince non-Brits that there is an actual national Tea Alarm and it's the law to rush to a cup of tea.

(I'm easily amused. Tea videos and cat videos for most of my social media diet).

PinkNailPolish2026 · 19/04/2026 11:50

Poshjock · 19/04/2026 11:47

"Wet" as in getting a wet or "do you want a wet? is very specificially a Naval "Jackspeak" colloquialism and is not used in the other two Services.

Also, the idea that tea is a diuretic is a fallacy. The net gain of water far outweights the diuretic effect of caffiene which is very mild. If tea is your prefered fluid of choice is is good hydration and counts toward your fluid intake for the day.

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Makes sense he was RM for 25 years.

Original poster
ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/04/2026 11:49

nomas · 19/04/2026 11:47

It could be middle class sneering at working class vernacular.

Edited

Except I’m as working class as they come. Maybe it’s internalised classism.

OP posts:
Frugalgal · 19/04/2026 11:48

Nothing will ever be worse than 'picky bits' 🤬

DamnBuster · 19/04/2026 11:48

I associate it with the 'live laugh love' crowd.

AmusedMember · 19/04/2026 11:48

Aaaah think it's time I go pop the kettle on and have a cuppa!

Thanks for the encouragement 😜

Original poster
ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/04/2026 11:47

Pennyfan · 19/04/2026 11:44

I hate brekkie. Spag Bol gives me the rage. So does making memories. So you’re not alone in irrational rage over inoffensive words or phrases.

I do in general dislike shortenings, but don’t mind ‘spag bol’. It’s all subjective, though, isn’t it. Just weird, random aggravations.

OP posts:
Yellowpapersun · 19/04/2026 11:47

My SIL says it and I cringe every time. It seems twee and so pleased with itself! It's like when cafés/restaurants say individual pies. I really hate it!

nomas · 19/04/2026 11:47

It could be middle class sneering at working class vernacular.

cardibach · 19/04/2026 11:47

TheChosenTwo · 19/04/2026 11:08

i don’t mine the phrase but as someone who doesn’t drink tea or coffee (or hot drinks) it drives me mad when things grind to a halt for a hot drink stop in general - nice day out but it’s 11 which apparently means we have to stop for caffeine 😂 - mostly in-laws who I adore so it really doesn’t matter but I do deep down find it quite annoying!

That’s not grinding to a halt! That’s having a little enjoyable sit down. An integral part of a day out, whatever it is you are consuming!

Poshjock · 19/04/2026 11:47

PinkNailPolish2026 · 19/04/2026 11:17

It must be a forces thing as all of DH’s colleagues used to say it, it’s horrible.

Show quote history

"Wet" as in getting a wet or "do you want a wet? is very specificially a Naval "Jackspeak" colloquialism and is not used in the other two Services.

Also, the idea that tea is a diuretic is a fallacy. The net gain of water far outweights the diuretic effect of caffiene which is very mild. If tea is your prefered fluid of choice is is good hydration and counts toward your fluid intake for the day.

cardibach · 19/04/2026 11:46

Selttan · 19/04/2026 11:05

I use cuppa but I can’t just say cuppa has to be cuppa tea.

Cuppa is a shortened form of cup o’tea (sounds like cuppa tea) which is shortened from cup of tea. Cuppa tea is daft as not a shortening!

LassiKopiano24 · 19/04/2026 11:45

It’s not as bad as “naice”

daffodilandtulip · 19/04/2026 11:45

Having a cuppa, on my holibobs, in my pjs, with my 🌍

Pennyfan · 19/04/2026 11:44

I hate brekkie. Spag Bol gives me the rage. So does making memories. So you’re not alone in irrational rage over inoffensive words or phrases.

isthismylifenow · 19/04/2026 11:44

ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/04/2026 11:37

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

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I don't live in the UK, but my dc recently moved there.

After the first day I asked her how the day went. She said she had never drank this much tea in a month as to what she had in one day. She felt bad to refuse and they kept on coming 🤣

PuzzlesintheMorning · 19/04/2026 11:43

Miyagi99 · 19/04/2026 11:19

We say having a paned (Wales).

"Panad", or "paned" where I come from is perfectly acceptable. It's nowhere near as toothache-inducing because unlike "cuppa", it's not a twee contraction of something else.

olivepicanto · 19/04/2026 11:42

One of the reasons I spend less time on Mn as I used to is the creeping in of twee words, used unironically. Like hubby. Picky bits. Mama bear. 🤮

1990sMum · 19/04/2026 11:42

Reminds me of my late MIL, always make me smile when I hear it.

SadBoys · 19/04/2026 11:42

ACIGC · 19/04/2026 10:57

I don't mind it. If I was to use a slang term, I'd probably say brew, but I don't mind other people saying cuppa.

Hubby, holibobs or "all the feels" on the other hand - just no.

If I had to choose, I’d take ‘cuppa’ over ‘brew’, but I irrationally dislike both, I think because of unpleasant associations with UK soap operas.

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