Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me

[difficulttod]

Lighthearted but it is driving me a bit mad.
It seems to be a thing on mumsnet where people will repeat very specific phrases that a PP has said, but as if they're the first ones to say it.

For example, to paraphrase from a thread I've just been reading-

First poster- "that's a silly idea, it would just be kicking the can down the road"

Second poster- "I can't believe anyone would think that's a gold idea. It's just kicking the can down the road."

Is it an unconscious thing? Sometimes I think I'm going mad because I'll see three or four posts saying very slightly different versions of the same thing, always a phrase that seems too unusual for that many people to use in normal speak.

Hahaha, I've noticed this too!

I don't think it's intentional. I think, especially in longer threads if you are reading a lot of comments before you reply, you forget these things have been said and think you've come up with t on your own.

But you're definitely not on your own in thinking this, hahaha.

Hahaha, I've noticed this too!

I don't think it's intentional. I think, especially in longer threads if you are reading a lot of comments before you reply, you forget these things have been said and think you've come up with t on your own.

But you're definitely not on your own in thinking this, hahaha.

Sorry, that was quite a childish joke

😂

There's a thread on here where the "let's just get back to normal" crew hang out, it's probably a phrase they've been using there, but then all of them say it on a thread because they think it's a good argument and sounds clever - it doesn't.

The Irony is this lot like to go around calling people sheeple.

Maybe it’s just like being the last one to sign a group birthday card - once you’ve read all the comments your brain refuses to formulate anything but a mashup of other people’s messages.

(Unless that’s just me.)

I've spotted this and also found myself doing it. As a pp said you read things and they stick in your mind.

@LampHat

Maybe it’s just like being the last one to sign a group birthday card - once you’ve read all the comments your brain refuses to formulate anything but a mashup of other people’s messages.

Yes I've noticed this. If I just sign a leaving card without reading it I can write someething new and sensible, if I read other comments I can only write something similar.

Thanks for the laugh @yetanothernamitynamechange

I know someone who talks like this.

Me: "I had a nightmare journey here, car played up, lights came on, didn't think I'd make it to be honest"

Friend: "Did you have a nightmare journey, with the lights coming on? Did you think you wouldn't make it"

I've just noticed that everyone seems to be talking about people being thrown under a bus or to the wolves. WTF has that come from?

Argh also I hate that phrase about can kicking!

@BarbaraofSeville

I've just noticed that everyone seems to be talking about people being thrown under a bus or to the wolves. WTF has that come from?

Thrown under the bus has been a phrase for years and thrown to the wolves must have been around for centuries, no idea if for reason MN has only just caught up with the rest of the world but those aren't new.

If phrases are repeated it might be that the thread is fat moving and posters are typing at the same time or take a while to make a post and others have then posted the same.

I havent noticed it but it must be a thing if so many others have

“Kicking the can down the road“ has been annoying me all day op 😂

I do think certain phrases catch on on Mumsnet, never to be heard in real life.

“Fuck ton” “No fucks given” -Who says that!? The swearing on here always bugs me because I just know it’s nice middle class ladies who would never swear out loud in real life 😂

yetanother

I think it is a form of echolalia.

That some edible thing is 'the food of the gods' winds me up disproportionately

@yetanothernamitynamechange 🤣🤣🤣

@LampHat

Maybe it’s just like being the last one to sign a group birthday card - once you’ve read all the comments your brain refuses to formulate anything but a mashup of other people’s messages.

'We've had so many memories good luck in the future!'

'Good luck in the future I'll remember all the memories'

^ me when signing a leaving work card

Some people have been trained to repeat phrases and slogans rather than formulate valid arguments.

Anyone who says it in relation to Lockdown has somehow failed in all these months to bother to find out what exponential means.

Thank god I'm not the only one who's noticed. It's like a forum full of smug parrots.

@Tonkerbea that phrase REALLY irritates me. And it's always mediocre food like egg mayonnaise or salt and vinegar on chips.

If this is rife in the Coronavirus section I might start making up my own phrases to see if anyone copies them.
"That's just a mud pie away from destruction in my opinion."
"Boris Johnson has completly ironmongered the whole situation if you ask me."