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Original poster

Hyperbolic speech

41 replies

EmmaH2022 · 20/02/2022 18:17

Prepared for usual MN disagreements but have chosen not to post in AIBU.

Does anyone feel everyday speech is increasingly hyperbolic? I noticed it in media years ago, then social media, now I feel it's crossed into daily speech.

I completely understand if people use it to be funny - though I admit I sometimes miss the joke if it's someone I don't know.

Example - I've seen this here and now mum uses it - the word "screams".

This week with mum I've had "so I told him the parking rules had changed and he screamed".

The first time she used it was about a couple who seem to hate each other. They were giving her a lift home from somewhere and the lady made a dirty joke and mum said something like "me and Jane thought it was hilarious but Andy screamed because he was furious". Andy and his wife do have furious rows - and they like to tell us this - so I genuinely thought mum was in the car with Andy screaming at his wife in a rage.

Is it just me noticing this?

OP posts:
midsomermurderess · 20/02/2022 18:34

No, you're not alone. And also 'hyperbolic' punctuation. So many posts on here: 'how often to change bra????'. 'Is this safe to eat???' These things are never really urgent, but one '?' often isn't enough. It is irksome.

AmbushedByCake1 · 20/02/2022 18:41

Yep. People using the word screamed when they mean raised voice. The one that gets me is the incorrect use of the word devastated. Devastation is world shaking shock and grief, not feeling mildly upset.

Riapia · 20/02/2022 19:09

Sobbing and shaking.
FFS

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 20/02/2022 19:12

Glad it's not just me

I hadn't picked up on the punctuation, but now you say it, yes.

I think it's affecting daily speech and online interaction in the sense that a normal response is seen as cold when it's just normal?

Re the use of "screamed" when I asked mum if she meant it literally, she said, "oh, I see...no, Andy wasn't screaming in the car, he just made a strong comment".

With the parking example, I am worried about that chap. He's about to retire and is clinging on and hoping not to have a Reggie Perrin breakdown. So when mum said he "screamed" when she told him about the parking, I thought perhaps the moment had arrived!

I don't know why "screamed" would be used in such a way, it makes no sense.

Re "devastated" I see that about the oddest things here. But one poster, I nearly commented in a sort of "things will be all right" way, but then she said she was going to get counselling. So that poster really was devastated and it's lucky I didn't make that comment.

It's disconcerting when words lose meaning. I understand language evolves but this time I can't seem to keep up.

OP posts:
emuloc · 20/02/2022 19:19

@AmbushedByCake1

Yep. People using the word screamed when they mean raised voice. The one that gets me is the incorrect use of the word devastated. Devastation is world shaking shock and grief, not feeling mildly upset.
Yes, or using the word heartbroken, over something that comes across as minor.
Snipples · 20/02/2022 19:22

God yes - my DH is Mr Hyperbolic - everything is screamed at him apparently which is just normal raised voices. And I put a cup in the sink last night and a bit of water splashed at him - this is equal to throwing a cup of tea over him apparently. Completely exaggerates everything.

ZebraScarf · 20/02/2022 19:24

No one is just upset anymore. They're always "broken".

Tlollj · 20/02/2022 19:25

Attention seeking I think. Can’t just be a bit miffed they are fuming.

BogRollBOGOF · 20/02/2022 19:56

I blame social media and KS2 grammar targets Grin

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 20/02/2022 19:56

I just find it irritating

I can understand it in children but not adults.

I agree, it's probably attention seeking but some phrases are just going to integrate into every day speech, when they are not accurate.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 20/02/2022 19:58

@BogRollBOGOF

I blame social media and KS2 grammar targets Grin
Now I don't know if the bit about KS2 is hyperbole Grin
OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 20/02/2022 19:58

I’m glad someone else has picked up on the scream thing. I see it all the time on here and always think what a pile of nonsense. No she didn’t scream in your face.

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 20/02/2022 21:46

I also find that at work, some will describe someone as having completely lost it, when all they did was say something mildly critical.

OP posts:
amusedbush · 20/02/2022 22:18

To be fair, I would rather see any of these examples over people misusing "mortified". I see it more and more recently, some people seem to think it means furious or upset.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 20/02/2022 23:39

Screaming is that high pitched sound someone would make if they were being chased by an axe murderer, not a voice, slightly raised in mild disagreement.

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 20/02/2022 23:51

@amusedbush

To be fair, I would rather see any of these examples over people misusing "mortified". I see it more and more recently, some people seem to think it means furious or upset.
I made a total fool of myself by starting a thread on this, getting my social media stories in a muddle, and then being mortified!

Barrow exactly! So confusing with mum especially. She uses an inflection like in the Hall & Oates song, Family Man, with the line "and he SCREAMED"

I was so confused the first few times I heard her say it, she's clearly picked it up from friends who are a bad influence Grin

OP posts:
agapanthus1979 · 21/02/2022 06:53

I read a Barbara Comyns novel lately and she (in my humble opinion) misused 'screamed', too. It irked me beyond what is reasonable when her character 'screamed', when really they 'raised their voice' or, at most, 'exclaimed'. It really bugged me 🤣

Partyatnumber10 · 21/02/2022 07:41

The one that irritates me hugely in the media is "slammed"
EG "Call the Midwife slammed for unrealistic storyline"
Then when you read on you discover there have been five complaints or that people have made a handful of negative comments. It always baffles me Confused

RJnomore1 · 21/02/2022 07:47

Oh while we are on slammed - lockdown!

“M74 locked down after RTA”
No , they’ve temporarily closed the road.

Original poster
EmmaH2022 · 21/02/2022 07:55

I have to ignore the word "lockdown".

Re "slammed" - yes. But I expect nonsense in the press. I'm surprised a novelist is using it now!

OP posts:
Chikapu · 21/02/2022 08:00

I saw something on IG the other day where the poster was 'literally crying, shaking and throwing up' because she got asked out on a date by a guy she really likes Hmm

People saying they're 'broken' pisses me off no end.

feb21 · 21/02/2022 08:07

This sums up MN. People seem to have extreme emotional reactions to relatively minor events.

I recall one about the OP being devastated that her MIL used glittery Christmas wrapping that couldn't be recycled.

I can't say any of my friends are like this in real life, I think MN must attract the drama queens. Getting through the day must be exhausting for them.

feb21 · 21/02/2022 08:10

Hmm is "exhausting" hyperbolic? Perhaps I'll change it to tiring or wearing....

MsTSwift · 21/02/2022 08:11

I’ve noticed it in reviews. We’ve been to rather ordinary restaurants that have absolutely gushing reviews. Think they genuinely review but people flip to hyperbole about an ok place. Annoying for the really fab places….

MsTSwift · 21/02/2022 08:13

Oh and my teens do it “stop yelling” when I am saying a perfectly normal instruction in normal tone but not being all nicey nicey

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