My son's reaction to the phrase "picky bits".

[SquirrelsAreGo]

My son is having a weekend of birthday moments ahead of the day on Tuesday. He is turning 17, and we've been teasing him about how he needs to know the dark side of being an adult (for some context, he is ND, funny, and plays along beautifully, adding his own roasts about how his older brother not adulting properly). He really enjoys word play, and learning British phrases that haven't made it to Oz where we now live.

We were discussing what he wanted for lunch, making suggestions for picnic type foods. At the time I was grasping for the word "picnic" so said "if we were in the UK, some people would describe them as 'picky bits'. He looked me straight in the eye and said " Why? Why would you do that to me? Is this what comes with being an adult?? Gdammit!"

Fascinating that, even without me giving any idea of how I feel about the phrase, his reaction was the same as mine. I sat him down and explained that this is what we meant by having to get used to the adult world, and that I was sorry we had to ramp it up so hard, but we only had until Tuesday to get him educated.

And then I remembered the word picnic and the world tilted back onto its axis.

DD was a little apprehensive about telling me she had a tattoo done last weekend. I have no idea why, I love it.
And yet, and yet, she had no qualms whatsoever about using the term ‘Picky Bits’ when telling me about her and her BFs weekend dinner plans. She’s only 21. I fear for her future.

I absolutely hate this phrase, and cannot understand why M&S have decided to champion it (and Sainsbury's too for that matter!). It is just horrible - it actually sounds dirty and grubby, like you have been scavenging for 'bits' to eat.

The phrase is 'picky bits', though. 'Picky tea' is also vile but not quite as evocative of pieces of shed bodily material.

Drinks and canapes sounds so much nicer!! (Can't do accents, sorry!)

Exactly. Horrible and makes me think less of anyone who says it.

I have not heard anyone use the phrase picky bits or picky tea in real life, only on adverts and sm.

It's a horrible turn of phrase and just sounds grubby. Why not just say buffet, indoor picnic, spread etc.

Ooh, a bit extreme! 😮
This girl is on fire… 🔥

Not in the least extreme, although I would more likely set fire to the person who uttered it, and end the curse that way.

😂

Pick your bits
buffet.

Not sure which is worse , 'picky bits' or 'having the ick' , they both make me cringe 😖

😖 I hate that expression so much. I don't know why it's so nails now a blackboard.

It’s called a ‘mish mash’ in our house…which probably conjures up some unpleasant images for some, but it’s what my Mum called it when I was younger (and still!) and it stuck! Nothing is mashed though, it just means a mix of things and it’s a favourite tea in summer!

Sainsbury's have been advertising Picky Bits on their banner near our local store for absolutely ages

Everyone hates "picky bits". It is a horrible phrase.

Another one that nobody likes, but people feel forced to use is "dump bags" for slow cookers. I was looking up recipes yesterday and Tesco had coyly called these "slow cooker meal prep bag recipes" which made me smile. Someone at Tesco hates the term "dump bags"!!

I've used the phrase a few times in my house. It's usually just for dd so those phrases you used aren't really appropriate

Snacks in that case. Anything but picky bits!

What did people used to say then, before picky tea became de riguer?

My DD is nearly 19 and while she may know the word, no self respecting teen or young adult will use it.

We aren't originally from the UK and don't use the word at home or when we are with friends speaking English. I think my husband would scratch his head wondering what it is.

I love your way with words @SquirrelsAreGo and your son's 💕

Using the words “picky bits”, pud and veggies around anyone over 2 years old should be a capital offence in my book. Your son has obviously been brought up well

You have done an excellent job in raising him.

Trust me your daughter is just as capable of learning those phrases as “picky bits”

I see at as a bunch of sweaty fingers picking at shared trays as they sit in the sun. In my house my father pronounced hors d'oeuvres horsey or devors which let me tell you is not more appetising. I prefer "small plates".

It doesn’t bother me, but I don’t like all the bunging, chucking, sticking, and lobbing type of cooking people seem to do here.

No one can put some potatoes in the oven, or fish fingers under the grill.

Ffs, are you telling me picky bits is a gross term ???? I’m not British but I have been saying it to my (half-British) kids for few years to describe a variety of cold food we eat in hot weather ! So what do you say instead ???