To hate inappropriate use of the phrase 'to be honest'?

[HeathcliffMoorland]

Yes, by all means when expressing an opinion frankly, begin a sentence with 'to be honest'.

If simply making a statement like 'I enjoy Jane Austen's novels', there is no need.

It is, in fact, quite irritating.

Am I the only one?

to be honest I think you are the only one.

lol

(sorry couldn't resist)

Oh I quite like it. If only because every time DP or I say it, it is family tradition to follow it with "and you should always be honest", cue snorts of laughter...

Cheesy phrases can lift the heart

To be honest, I use it all of the time and it drives me mad hearing me say it.

I also hate excessive use of "like" and I do that often too apparently.

The worst one for me at the moment is when someone has a massive rant and then follows it with a pause and then says "I would't mind but..." when they obviously do mind, and mind a lot!

Grrr

YANBU

You could try saying: "It that's your honest opinion, what would you say when you're lying?"

But what is the appropriate use of the phrase? I tend to use it in an apologetic tone of voice, when I know the person I'm talking to really doesn't want me to be honest.

does anybody say what they mean these days? if we took speech literally it would actually be very confusing in todays modern conversations. Lots of modern speech habits are annoying, but its the way of the world isnt it?

weeeeeeelllll, (wheedly voice) in the midst of a conversation about how crap and boring jane austen novels are, it would be appropriate, non?

i'm loving BoF's family tradition though. adopted henceforth.