This phrase drives me insane!!

[Verbena17]

Am i the only one who’s really bothered when I hear someone say….
”……if that makes sense?”

😩😩😩
Why on Earth does someone explain something (usually really simply) and then add onto the end ‘if that makes sense?’

I’m like ‘yes of course it makes bloody sense because you’ve just explained the most simple piece of information I’ve ever heard!
I’m just watching a recipe on YouTube and the woman said “you have to cook the potatoes for 10 minutes first because they take longer to bake, and you don’t want to get raw potatoes…..if that makes sense?”

Does my head in!
Influencers are always doing it 😩, it’s as if they think their explanation of the most basic of tasks might be way over our heads!
Sunday night rant over 😂

It sounds like they’re trying to make out they’re really clever and they think you might be a bit dense and don’t quite get it.

Mine is ‘as it were’ God I hate it so much and DH says it all the time in the wrong context. He never used to so I presume he’s picked it up from someone else.

Example from today while I’m at hospital with DD and DH is on the phone.

Him: Have you spoken to the Drs yet?
Me: No, I’m waiting for them to get to us.
Him: Oh, on their ward rounds, as it were?

It’s not a metaphor. They are literally doing ward rounds.

I think it's because the person trying to explain isn't sure they've explained it clearly. I think it's fine but may now try "Got it yet, eh, have you got it?"

I find it lazy a lot of the time.
If you’re doubting that you’ve passed on the correct information and suspect you haven’t then go back and rephrase it in a way that you know it does make sense. Make an effort!

I LOVE ‘it is what it is’ a good strong phrase I use often to quickly mean ‘there’s nothing can be done about it so no point worrying’ type thing. Definitely one of my favourites.

Hate anything with chill in it

That’s so funny! 😂

Oh wow!
Someone has already been pissed off by it too!
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4072899-is-there-a-new-trend-of-saying-if-that-makes-sense

I find myself saying it sometimes to people who moan non-stop about shit and I can't really be arsed to listen. A few non-committal 'mmmmm's and a, 'It is what it is, I guess...' is more polite than, 'Ffs, you're talking out of your arse but I'm so bored with hearing you moan I can't even be bothered to explain why,' I find!

Not as annoying as the overuse of the word "surely" all the time.

Nothing winds me up more in the English language than hearing or seeing "we was".

Instant hate. 🤬

"I text" instead of "I texted" also irritates me to the extreme.

Agreed. Also very irritating is 'to be fair' added onto every sentence. Or sometimes 'in fairness'. Argggh

Have you ever heard a man say ‘if that makes sense?’

I’m the same. Plus English is my second language so some of my explanations don’t make sense at the very beginning.
I hate “chill” and also “let me explain” - no, I won’t, just shut up.

But 'it is what it is' means 'there's nothing I can do to change it, so I have to accept it'. It's not just stating the obvious.
I think 'if you know what I mean ' or 'if that makes sense' is a nervous habit. My sister used to say 'the thing is that' before she said anything. She's stopped it now.

My pet hate is 'lived experience'. A stupid phrase.

American influence. They frequently miss the ed from all words which require it.

ie: "You look so tan"
"I was so anger by that"
"Yes, she explain it to me"
"I'm so shock that happen"

I blame an epidemic of poor hearing amongst Gen Zs

Here's a meaningless phrase Haiku for your pleasure:
We are where we are
We don't know what we don't know
It is what it is

Actually, they do have meaning and can be useful, but in a business context they are often shorthand for 'we don't have a clue what we are doing but we have to say something to the customer'.
The one that infuriates me is 'I/he/she/they turned round and said....'

I often use "if that makes sense" at work because I'm often taking time out of my day to answer a technical question for someone who then immediately looks completely blank and doesn't appear to be actually listening. "If that makes sense" is just a slightly more polite way of saying "if you were even listening to me explaining the answer you dozy bugger".

And on balance, if those people think im being rude, I'm not sure if I care - because I think it's very rude of them to ring me for help but not actually actively listen/maintain eye contact/ask questions/engage in the answer I'm giving!

Can you tell I'm approaching 40? 😄 Seriously though, I probably will spot how and when i use this now I know some people find it patronising.

Surely you would review the email though and presumably you're communicating with native English speakers so it really should make sense before you send the email.

I think it's a sign of female under-confidence.

I hate the phrase too. Surely if what was said doesn't make sense the person will interject and ask for further explanation.

People saying:

FebUary - the r isn't silent!!
Lenth - it's lenGth!!
Strenth - it's strenGth!!
Brooshetta - it's pronounced broo-sketta!!

Random capitals - my Parents, where in the World, I'm a Childminder

End of, simple as, simples - aaarrrggghhh!!

@Boobettes , me too, and I feel the same about mash potato, mince beef, ice coffee.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER I'm sure I text you about this yesterday!

We also seem to be adopting the US habit of dropping the word of. "He jumped out the window", "I walked out the door". It drives me batty!

The one I hate is "me, personally". Well who else could it be if it's personal?