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Original poster

Words/phrases you have seen in books that you have never heard a real life person say

188 replies

OneUmberJoker · 17/12/2025 17:01

Little high little low - stuart little

OP posts:
Hephzibah64 · 31/05/2026 03:00

Padding across the floor. I have never in my life heard someone say they padded anywhere. Why is it a thing with many writers?

SaffySaffron · 03/06/2026 20:58

Tilting or lifting your chin in defiance or pride. Always women. A very misogynistic trope.

Terpsichore · 03/06/2026 21:10

LadyTakingTea · 25/05/2026 23:07

I write You and Yours, say in a Christmas card if I don't know the family of the person that I'm sending the card to:

"Dear John, wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas."

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'You and Yours' is also Radio 4's daily consumer programme!

HenriettaHenhouse · 03/06/2026 21:14

Legs that are 'encased' in trousers.

Hullo instead of hello.

People's specs always 'flash' when they're annoyed.

Plump82 · 03/06/2026 21:14

When someone looks through their eyelashes.

I imagine them all looking like Princess Diana!

SlayTheJAway · 03/06/2026 21:15

When characters start sentence after sentence with the name of the person they’re talking to. It’s not necessary in real life, generally people say it once and that’s it.

Gowlett · 03/06/2026 21:24

Not a book but I hate it in Love Actually when Natalie says “Oh, piss it!”

They’s used the f-word a couple of times already, so clearly made this up.

Unless it is actually said somewhere?

ReignOfError · 03/06/2026 21:25

JaneJeffer · 18/12/2025 00:14

I read a book where the main character kept asking people “shall you” do whatever. I’ve never heard anyone use it in real life.

I use shall. When I was young, it wasn’t interchangeable with ‘will’. I know that’s changed, but old habits die hard.

I see ‘leapt out of bed and ran a brush through her curls’ written. Presumably by people with straight hair, since I don’t think we do.

oliviaAustin · 03/06/2026 21:26

‘Wow that’s Wizard’ - Enid Blyton. See also: ‘You’re a Brick’ and ‘I hate sneaks’.

oliviaAustin · 03/06/2026 21:28

AudiobookListener · 09/05/2026 19:30

Last book I read was a children's book in which everyone was wearing a jersey. It was set in 1975. No, just no. It was a jumper then and it's a jumper now.

A jersey and a jumper are different things.

oliviaAustin · 03/06/2026 21:29

HenriettaHenhouse · 03/06/2026 21:14

Legs that are 'encased' in trousers.

Hullo instead of hello.

People's specs always 'flash' when they're annoyed.

Grrr also Hallo (unless German) another Blyton sin.

daffodilandtulip · 03/06/2026 21:31

Padding across the hallway

GonetoGreece1982 · 03/06/2026 21:31

I’ve been reading Marian Keyes Walsh sisters series, she describes men as total rides a lot, I’ve never heard that phrase before.

HenriettaHenhouse · 03/06/2026 21:34

GonetoGreece1982 · 03/06/2026 21:31

I’ve been reading Marian Keyes Walsh sisters series, she describes men as total rides a lot, I’ve never heard that phrase before.

Anne in Amandaland described Mick Jagger as 'a ride'.

Weedingtodo · 03/06/2026 21:42

HenriettaHenhouse · 03/06/2026 21:34

Anne in Amandaland described Mick Jagger as 'a ride'.

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It’s a Dublin expression so that makes sense 😁

Weedingtodo · 03/06/2026 21:49

Also common in other parts of Ireland.

EasilyPleased · 03/06/2026 21:54

Weedingtodo · 03/06/2026 21:49

Also common in other parts of Ireland.

Would only be used ironically around here!

Eyesopenwideawake · 03/06/2026 21:54

"To be sure, to be sure." In 12 years of living in Ireland I only heard that once.

IGotBigKidsAndICannotLie · 03/06/2026 21:57

Also in many films: "We're just alike, you and I".

Nobody in the history of the world has ever actually said this IRL.

SaraOnSaturday · 03/06/2026 22:08

"I have been bent and broken, but—I hope—into a better shape."

Estella (Great Expectations)

EasilyPleased · 04/06/2026 09:03

Eyesopenwideawake · 03/06/2026 21:54

"To be sure, to be sure." In 12 years of living in Ireland I only heard that once.

And it would be being said ironically, too.

JustJoshing · 04/06/2026 09:05

Oh fiddle dee dee!

Eyesopenwideawake · 04/06/2026 09:46

EasilyPleased · 04/06/2026 09:03

And it would be being said ironically, too.

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No, it wasn't.

cheapskatemum · 04/06/2026 10:27

Friendlygingercat · 18/12/2025 01:14

How very dare you!

I use this one at work! It’s a playful way of responding to a young person who’s been a bit rude & usually makes them laugh.

clearlyy · 04/06/2026 10:42

I was reading Harry Potter and Tonks said “Wotcher, Harry!” I had absolutely no idea what that meant. Never heard it before, but apparently it’s cockney, so I never would have. Not one person up north has ever said that, I don’t think 😅