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Original poster

Annoying buzzwords/phrases.

155 replies

WheresThatCatGoneNow · 01/08/2026 11:15

I keep hearing people say that they "reached out" to a another person or a company/ business/organisation etc.

Why don't they just say that they contacted them? Which is what they actually mean!

It really sets my teeth on edge.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
OriginalSkang · 02/08/2026 16:13

I've never heard of it bright called anything but annual leave in any job I've ever worked

Everythingtidy · 02/08/2026 16:12

willowthecat · 02/08/2026 16:07

Calling time off/holidays 'annual leave' as if just back from military deployment

It’s called annual leave in employment law too though. It’s not just a military term.

willowthecat · 02/08/2026 16:07

Calling time off/holidays 'annual leave' as if just back from military deployment

InMySpareTime · 02/08/2026 15:54

When a retail worker is called a “colleague”. The word is fine when used within a team to describe each other, but they are not colleagues to the public or even to management.

InMySpareTime · 02/08/2026 15:50

“It’s giving…” when one thing is reminiscent of another.
”I’m not being funny/racist/mean/rude BUT “
Everything after the but exemplifies the attribute the speaker claims they weren’t expressing.
”Back in the 1900s” for pre-millennium events. It should mean things much farther back than 26+ years ago.
”The other half” for a partner. You’re both still entire people.

HelpMeGetThrough · 02/08/2026 14:17

Leaning in and Pivoting. Our Chief Exec is constantly doing this on our “town hall meetings”.

Its like an episode of Strictly sodding Come Dancing.

Mokel · 02/08/2026 14:07

Influencers.

People who copy them are sad people

LeavingAtLast · 02/08/2026 13:37

“Speaks to” instead of “is similar to”

Cosyblankets · 02/08/2026 13:27

Shop staff saying are you OK instead of who is next or next please

ClarkeandNewman · 02/08/2026 13:21

MasterBeth · 02/08/2026 12:18

Language evolves. Words and phrases take on new meanings

The language that you use now annoyed someone else back in the day.

You can't expect language to evolve over thousands of years and stop evolving at precisely the point you arrived on earth.

(Yes, I said "back in the day" just to annoy someone.)

Surely evolving suggests improvement? How is asking about someone's crazy ass holibobs an improvement?

ClarkeandNewman · 02/08/2026 13:16

Shinyandnew1 · 01/08/2026 18:05

I actually don’t mind, ‘use your words’! It is quite appropriate for some posters on here who seem to struggle through their miserable life because they are utterly unable to use the words, ‘no, I don’t want to’.

Others that I don’t like are
gifted (gave)
sourced (looked around for until I found)
Colourway (colour)
literally (figuratively)

oh and another one that seems to be said a lot on documentaries..
speaks to

Speaks to! It doesn't even make sense!

ClarkeandNewman · 02/08/2026 13:14

Wait list/wait staff

Swim instructor - do you mean swimming instructor /teacher/coach?

Getting up in my business - someone is interfering or being nosy!

The random insertion of the word ass into sentences - eg that was a crazy ass thing to happen. Sounds like a mad donkey has run riot.

The word ass when you mean arse. Again - what have donkeys got to do with anything?

An oldie but I was amazed to hear someone use it while they were sitting next to me on a train - holibobs!

LaMarschallin · 02/08/2026 13:08

MasterBeth · 02/08/2026 12:23

It's a little joke.

Show quote history

WheresThatCatGoneNow
probably thought she was making a "little joke" too when she said:
I'd love to be behind the counter in a shop when a customer comes in and says, "Can I get a whatever-it-is, please?"
I would reply, "No, you can't get it, but I am happy to get it for you."

You asked:
How would this add to the total of human happiness, exactly?
Well, at least she didn't say her intent was to make anyone angry

And nobody has fantasised that your "little joke" would be accompanied you sitting there with a smug, sour expression on your face as you suggested about WTCGN.
Can't see that adding to the sum of human happiness or achieving anything either.

dreamingofgoodhair · 02/08/2026 12:46

Tinkly laugh
hubby

LightningTree · 02/08/2026 12:40

LaMarschallin · 01/08/2026 17:39

"Myself" when it should be "me" (or occasionally "I").
"Send it to myself" - arghh!

This, and even worse when some telesales person says ‘I’ve got a great deal for yourself’. No it’s ‘you’ and by the way I will never buy anything from your illiterate self.

luckylavender · 02/08/2026 12:38

Guard rails - they’re everywhere

Liverpool66 · 02/08/2026 12:33

I’ve always hated “can I get” this a passion.

Also:

”reach out”/ “lean into” - sounds like something that should get you into trouble with HR for being a little too handsy.

“from the get go” creeping into British usage - look, it’s “start”. We’ve managed perfectly well for centuries with “start” and it’s literally quicker to say.

“jump on a call” or on here “didn’t want to read and run” - sound like you’ve took time out from your incredibly hectic and very important day to parachute through the window and save the day.

Honorable mention goes to beginning every sentence with “so”. Also “just that really”, “gifted”, “authentic self”, and “living my best life”.

Manhattanman · 02/08/2026 12:29

Lemonorzo · 01/08/2026 12:14

Picky bits

Yep. Even turning up in adverts now.

StressyMcStressFace · 02/08/2026 12:24

luckylavender · 02/08/2026 12:18

Criminality - crime

preparedness- preparation

See also "functionality" = "function". No need to elongate a perfectly usable word!!

MasterBeth · 02/08/2026 12:23

LaMarschallin · 02/08/2026 12:22

MasterBeth

(Yes, I said "back in the day" just to annoy someone.)

How would this does that add to the total of human happiness, exactly?

It's a little joke.

MasterBeth · 02/08/2026 12:23

luckylavender · 02/08/2026 12:18

Criminality - crime

preparedness- preparation

These words all mean different things:

Crime is the actual illegal act. Criminality is the tendency to commit it.

Preparation is the active process of doing tasks. Preparedness is the capacity of being ready to handle an event.

StressyMcStressFace · 02/08/2026 12:22

"It made me feel a certain kind of way"

LaMarschallin · 02/08/2026 12:22

MasterBeth

(Yes, I said "back in the day" just to annoy someone.)

How would this does that add to the total of human happiness, exactly?

PistachioTiramisu · 02/08/2026 12:20

MasterBeth · 02/08/2026 12:18

Language evolves. Words and phrases take on new meanings

The language that you use now annoyed someone else back in the day.

You can't expect language to evolve over thousands of years and stop evolving at precisely the point you arrived on earth.

(Yes, I said "back in the day" just to annoy someone.)

It worked!!

Culpeper · 02/08/2026 12:19

It’s petty, but mis-use of ‘less’ and ‘fewer’.

I also hate all the unimaginative phrases and words influencers collectively latch on to.

Currently, the ‘nervous system reset/disregulation/healing’ silly sheep are irritating the heck out of me.