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AIBU?

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Original poster

Everyday phrases that piss me off

218 replies

Thecatspantaloons · 23/08/2026 18:57

As the title goes , a couple of examples:

It only costs xxx - What an incredibly ignorant thing to say in this day and age of mass inequality. On any given day there's a bullshit thread on here comparing pension plans and the amount of hundreds of thousands people have saved compared to the ones who have nothing saved.

Well I've never seen/heard that before - well Jackie, I've never seen anyone abuse a wheelchair user or a trans person or a Jewish person in my own life, but I believe that it happens, despite my not witnessing it.

Feel free to rant about other stuff that people are willfully oblivious to.

OP posts:
Thepeopleversuswork · 24/08/2026 08:01

Additup · 24/08/2026 07:54

I'd always assumed its easier for the midwife so she doesn't get your name wrong while seeing patient after patient.

Show quote history

Sure, but even being called something generic like “sweetheart” is better than being called “mum”. Or could they not just say “Sorry, can you repeat your name?”

There is a horrible, slightly Nazi undertone to being called “mum” by a healthcare professional you have never met before, its as if you are a participant in a national breeding programme.

spinningplates2024 · 24/08/2026 08:00

Gentle reminder
vicarious trauma

BreatheAndFocus · 24/08/2026 07:58

The phrase “a gentle reminder” when it’s just a simple reminder about Parents Evening or whatever.

”Good job” instead of Well Done. This one really winds me up!

Calling young boys “Buddy”. Absolutely cringeworthy, along with “My little man”.

Using “protest” without a following word, eg “I’m going to protest Andy Burnham”. Jarring Americanism.

”On the weekend” instead of “At the weekend”.

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 24/08/2026 07:56

"Curated" for me as well. A café near where I work has it three times on the same noticeboard. Curated local honey. Curated cheese. Curated local sourdough.
It looks delicious through the window but I can't bring myself to go in.

whatsnewbuttercup · 24/08/2026 07:56

” Does that make sense?”
Yes, it does: I speak English.

Additup · 24/08/2026 07:54

Thepeopleversuswork · 24/08/2026 07:46

God I hated that when my daughter was little. The use of “mum” and “baby” without the definite article. What the hell is that about? As if new mothers didn’t already feel patronised and micromanaged enough.

Can anyone in a healthcare/maternity role explain why they do this?

Show quote history

I'd always assumed its easier for the midwife so she doesn't get your name wrong while seeing patient after patient.

Lentilcakes · 24/08/2026 07:48

MargaretMeldrew · 24/08/2026 02:26

NI is (currently) part of the UK and ‘Can I get?’ is completely acceptable here. Or, more commonly, ‘Can I have?’ If you said ‘Please may I have?’ people would think you were taking the piss😅 Some of our phrasing of the English language evolves from how it was originally expressed in Gaelic, but I don’t know if that’s the case here. Perhaps we exported it to the US.

Show quote history

I say ‘can I have a latte please’ - I think that’s fine.

Then you’re handed your drink - thanks’. i also hate ‘can I get’ - so rude to my ears. Why can’t you say ‘can I please get?’ Add that little word to make a difference.

Boggyjo · 24/08/2026 07:48

Someone already commented on the incorrect use of the word ‘amazing’, but it is the phrase, ‘you’ve done amazing’ that really annoys me.

You have performed amazingly. I’d even allow ‘you’ve done amazingly well’, but you’ve done amazing’ is a horrendous mis-use of our language and makes one sound a bit dim!

Thepeopleversuswork · 24/08/2026 07:46

CopeNorth · 24/08/2026 07:27

Infantile language in a maternity services setting 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️ “how’s Mum?” Why not how are you like in any other setting? Or my name is right in front of you on that piece of paper.

“How’s baby” which baby? Mine? “Have you felt baby move”

”I’m just going to feel your tummy”

“the womb” (isn’t it uterus?)

”we will likely induce you early” oh do I have a choice? Won’t you be offering me an induction? Or advising me it’s the best option? Or are pregnant women just expected to do as they’re instructed?

In any other medical service don’t they use correct terms and talk to patients like adults?

Show quote history

God I hated that when my daughter was little. The use of “mum” and “baby” without the definite article. What the hell is that about? As if new mothers didn’t already feel patronised and micromanaged enough.

Can anyone in a healthcare/maternity role explain why they do this?

Thepeopleversuswork · 24/08/2026 07:43

“My little family”. So twee.
”Team” as a form of address to a group of colleagues. Fake corporate solidarity of the worst kind.

Lifelover16 · 24/08/2026 07:38

muddyford · 24/08/2026 06:27

Starting a sentence with 'so' instead of getting on with saying what you want to say.
Ending a post with 'right' in a passive-aggressive way, implying everyone will agree with you.

Same with “no?” At the end of a sentence.
And wrong word order “ you know this how” instead of “how do you know this”
oh yes - and “ you what now?” instead of just “what?”

MegCleary · 24/08/2026 07:36

I dislike, “I love that for you” and I can’t explain why. I think I take it as patronising. Sadly my sister is the one who says it to me, I say I’ve booked to see some writer give a talk, and she goes oh I love that for you. And I then feel rage.

Mapletreelane · 24/08/2026 07:31

OffredxJune · 24/08/2026 07:10

People on here exgagerating

"Shaking with rage"
"Incandescent with rage"

Usually over the tiniest thing

I agree and also would add "I'm fuming" !

LlynTegid · 24/08/2026 07:30

Thank you OP for starting this thread. If it results in even one person not using one of the overused or exaggerated expressions that others have mentioned, you have done us all a favour.

'Big' is the one I would add.

follygirl · 24/08/2026 07:29

’Holibobs’ as in I’m going on my holibobs. It makes me want to throw things.

Mapletreelane · 24/08/2026 07:29

Tetchypants · 24/08/2026 00:36

Reaching out. It just makes me want to reach out with my fist.

Completely with you...only people allowed to use reach out are the Four Tops

angelos02 · 24/08/2026 07:27

'Extraordinary'. It is said so often on Good Morning Britain I find it so grating.

CopeNorth · 24/08/2026 07:27

Thecatspantaloons · 23/08/2026 18:57

As the title goes , a couple of examples:

It only costs xxx - What an incredibly ignorant thing to say in this day and age of mass inequality. On any given day there's a bullshit thread on here comparing pension plans and the amount of hundreds of thousands people have saved compared to the ones who have nothing saved.

Well I've never seen/heard that before - well Jackie, I've never seen anyone abuse a wheelchair user or a trans person or a Jewish person in my own life, but I believe that it happens, despite my not witnessing it.

Feel free to rant about other stuff that people are willfully oblivious to.

Infantile language in a maternity services setting 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️ “how’s Mum?” Why not how are you like in any other setting? Or my name is right in front of you on that piece of paper.

“How’s baby” which baby? Mine? “Have you felt baby move”

”I’m just going to feel your tummy”

“the womb” (isn’t it uterus?)

”we will likely induce you early” oh do I have a choice? Won’t you be offering me an induction? Or advising me it’s the best option? Or are pregnant women just expected to do as they’re instructed?

In any other medical service don’t they use correct terms and talk to patients like adults?

planespotter71 · 24/08/2026 07:27

Somebody posted about the cost of fish and chips yesterday and were ‘seriously shocked’ Yes, they might have been disappointed it was a bit pricey, but not needed to sit down with a sweet cup of tea 🙄

Rufusisturnedon · 24/08/2026 07:26

100% as positive answer - just say yes Ffs

Gettingbysomehow · 24/08/2026 07:23

"Reach for", "reach out". As in..... you'll reach for this dress time and again.
No I wont, I'll wear this dress time and again.
I wont reach out to you either. I'll contact you if I need anything.

Mycatmax · 24/08/2026 07:17

“Bits”
”picky bits”
”salady bits”

Pippatpip · 24/08/2026 07:15

Absolutely’. Every time a interviewer asks someone commenting on a something newsworthy, that person’s first response is ‘Absolutely’. Grrrrrrrrr. Oh the unique thing drives me potty. ‘It is almost unique’. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

greenpolkadot55 · 24/08/2026 07:15

' very much so '...
drives me bonkers.. What's wrong with saying ' absolutely '..

OffredxJune · 24/08/2026 07:10

People on here exgagerating

"Shaking with rage"
"Incandescent with rage"

Usually over the tiniest thing