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Original poster

Use your words

73 replies

RafaFan · 12/02/2024 22:39

Light-hearted post here. Is there an expression or phrase that sets your teeth on edge? I find the phrase "use your words", frequently used on MN, totally grating. I have NEVER heard anybody use this expression in real life, not even to a four-year-old, never mind grown adults.

OP posts:
MoonWoman69 · 12/02/2024 22:47

That is mine too... I see people using it and it grinds my gears! It comes across to me as like speaking to a child! And no, I have never heard this said IRL!
My husbands favourite one, one at which I eye roll myself into next week is "I seriously suggest..." Doesn't matter that it's not in context either! Drives me potty!!!

LizBennet · 12/02/2024 22:52

After watching The Traitors, “yourself/myself” used incorrectly and excessively.

BIWI · 12/02/2024 22:54

Yes, it's used with young children, when they start stropping/tantrumming/crying. A very useful thing to say to them to help them articulate why they're so angry/cross/upset.

karma3 · 12/02/2024 22:56

I say this to my husband 😂😂😂 but not in a mean way, he sometimes struggles now to word things so I gently say 'use your words babe' whilst he's trying to explain 😅

Theforeverhome · 12/02/2024 22:58

As a menopausal woman, I frequently say I’ve lost my words when I become inarticulate 🥴

NewName24 · 12/02/2024 23:16

Use your words is something that is said commonly to young children, when they are at a stage of learning to control their emotions.

It seems quite apt to use it on some of the threads on here.

I can't stand "gotten". You mean 'got' there is no need whatsoever to add 3 extra letter / an extra syllable on to it Confused

Alalalalalongalalalalalonglonglilong · 12/02/2024 23:19

I use it constantly at work with 3 and 4 yr olds. You would be surprised how many children revert to animal noises or baby noises when they want something. I mean of course those who can talk. Pointing and grunting, and when we say use your words they say 'I can't reach can you help me'. If we didn't say 'use your words' they would be just going around grunting all day!!

I would absolutely not use it outside that setting though, it's very patronising.

DrFoxtrot · 12/02/2024 23:22

'Do better'

No you do better and piss off, you knob 😂

ThursdayTomorrow · 12/02/2024 23:28

We use the phrase a lot in primary school to our autistic children OP. It’s a very helpful phrase.

The phrase I dislike at the moment is “living her best life”. It’s used ALL the time on WIWIKAU when someone didn’t get in to Oxbridge and went to another university.

Pigglyplaystruant99 · 12/02/2024 23:32

Just the word 'gotten'. It is an Americanism that makes the user look totally illiterate.

FallingStar21 · 12/02/2024 23:40

NewName24 · 12/02/2024 23:16

Use your words is something that is said commonly to young children, when they are at a stage of learning to control their emotions.

It seems quite apt to use it on some of the threads on here.

I can't stand "gotten". You mean 'got' there is no need whatsoever to add 3 extra letter / an extra syllable on to it Confused

"Gotten" is correct though, in American English.

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 12/02/2024 23:44

Making memories

ScaredSceptic · 13/02/2024 00:07

People saying they are going to "lean in" to something. I've no idea where it came from, but it's suddenly absolutely everywhere and I hate it!

MeinKraft · 13/02/2024 00:11

Being told to 'discuss' and people who talk about 'educating' others to try to enforce goodthink.

cariadlet · 13/02/2024 00:24

I have an instinctive dislike of gotten but am trying to train myself out of it.

I was brought up to think that it's an Americanism but as an adult, I learned that it's old English (as in ill-gotten gains), was taken to America by early English settlers, fell out of use in England but continued to be used in America.

SinnerBoy · 13/02/2024 04:58

ScaredSceptic · Today 00:07

People saying they are going to "lean in" to something.

It's a Business Bullshit Buzzword and can, therefore, be ignored.

sammylady37 · 13/02/2024 05:46

‘Boils my piss’
’I lost my shit’
’Bore off’
’Do one’

thankfully I only ever encounter these on MN and never in real life!

GrandHighPoohbah · 13/02/2024 05:57

I too find "use your words" said to anyone over the age of four hugely patronising. Luckily nobody outside of MN actually uses it to adults.
My personal least favourite is "reach out". It sounds so needy.

Aecor · 13/02/2024 06:03

BIWI · 12/02/2024 22:54

Yes, it's used with young children, when they start stropping/tantrumming/crying. A very useful thing to say to them to help them articulate why they're so angry/cross/upset.

Yes, which is why it is used on Mn to posters whose entire lengthy list of woes would be instantly solved if they actually articulated their issue. It’s intended to sound as if to a child who can’t explain why they’re upset.

Sparklfairy · 13/02/2024 06:11

I have used it when I want to be a dick. e.g. 'Use your words like a big boy' said to passive aggressive adult men Wink

But I'm fully aware it's a dick phrase. It's not ever said nicely is it?

See also on here, 'What did they say when you asked them about it?' when it's very clear the OP hasn't asked them at all.

mondaytosunday · 13/02/2024 07:08

Yes Ive heard it - particularly to children! I've said it to my teenage daughter who has a habit of starting a sentence and not finishing it! But neither of these uses is the same way as it's used on MN though.

TheChippendenSpook · 13/02/2024 07:11

Absolutely, and also forever home.

Hibernatalie · 13/02/2024 07:14

Hubby.

AndThatWasNY · 13/02/2024 07:15

Oh yes forever home 🤮

TinkerTiger · 13/02/2024 07:17

'On its knees'.

So overused and over dramatic.