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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

upward intonation??????

38 replies

cheval · 20/07/2011 21:44

I'm new to this site but love the rants I've read so far! One I just seen is re the word 'literally' being used in a bonkers way. Agree totally. But would like to add my utter hatred of the creeping in to the British accent of a Neighbours/Californian way of ending every sentence in an upward style. Drives me crazy. It's all UP???? Please make it stop!

OP posts:
TattyDevine · 20/07/2011 21:46

What if you are from Neighbours land? Are you allowed to then?

sittinginthesun · 20/07/2011 21:48

Agree. I had an ex boyfriend who did this. Drove me mad.

prudaloo · 20/07/2011 21:49

This one time?.. On Mumsnet?..drives me mad too. They all do it- the "Young"- even teachers.Sad

NeverAttributeToMalice · 20/07/2011 21:53

I think it's Stephen Fry who coined the phrase "Australian Interrogative Inflection" for the habit of making statements sound like questions? Grin

Punkatheart · 20/07/2011 21:55

The Welsh do it too. Fair play.

prudaloo · 20/07/2011 21:56

Ha I've heard it called !The Moronic Interrogative" - I like that?

prudaloo · 20/07/2011 21:56

Puke; do you mean "Fair play?" ?

valiumredhead · 20/07/2011 21:57

YABU?

Pishwife · 20/07/2011 21:58

Really? This bugs you?

Yes the Welsh do do it! I did a piece of research at Uni on "tag questions" (saying isn't it? Do you? yeah? at the end of statements) and a welshman was in my control group and buggered it all up Grin

InfestationofLannisters · 20/07/2011 22:02

I adore Australianisms. I especially like the use of a single adjective in place of an entire phrase or sentence. My best mate used to do it. For example,

"C-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-l-l-l-l-d..."

(On a crisp and sunny September morning Grin)

Similarly, < gestures to bag> "H-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e--v-v-v-v-v-y"

Or when discussing men: "Mmm... passionate..."

Not sure if that was Australian, a Melbourne thing or just her come to think of it so perhaps IABU?

(See what I did there?)

wonderfultykes · 20/07/2011 22:03

I called O2?
To discuss a longwinded lost-phone debacle??
The bloke incessantly did this every sentence???

Drove me utterly batshit.

frazzle26 · 20/07/2011 22:03

And saying "like" all the time. Although I'm guilty of this I have to admit Blush

Beamur · 20/07/2011 22:05

Ha ha. Are you talking about my DSD? She does this all the time, like. Drives her Dad bonkers.

Glubs · 20/07/2011 22:06

Yup drives me mad too.

There's a mum I know who says "you know?" at the end of EVERY sentence. It's as if she needs constant reassurance that we're listening. I find it so distracting as I'm waiting for it that I'm less likely to actually listen to what she's saying.

Still, there's worse things in life.............you know?

prudaloo · 20/07/2011 22:06

Woderfultykes- really? He turned round and did that?? I mean, like every time??? Literally, he turned round and did that??

Original poster
cheval · 20/07/2011 22:13

Love the Welsh upwards lilt, it's gentle and poetic. Also love an Aussie accent.
It's this new ending of a sentence that goes UP??? as if the speaker can't quite believe they're saying it. Sounds insecure. Sorry will shut up nOW!!

OP posts:
MotherMucca · 20/07/2011 22:15

Oh my god? You're not wrong?

My son has started doing this? He gets it from his (moronic) dad?

ARE YOU ASKING ME A QUESTION? I ask, calmly?

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 20/07/2011 22:19

I've got a pal who does this?? It drives me fucking mad is intensely irritating??

She's never been near Wales or Oz and doesn't watch any of the Oz soaps?? I sincerely wish she'd stop and listen to herself???

sue52 · 20/07/2011 22:19

I agree. It seems to have crept in over the last 10 years. I don't hear anyone over 30 using the intonation but until now I had not made the connection with Australian soaps. Ban them now.

dearprudence · 20/07/2011 22:20

On a similar note, DH and I have noticed young people (women especially) talking in a deliberately croaky drawl, as if it's reeeally hard for them to summon up the energy to speak. Very annoying. And affected.

sausagesandmarmelade · 20/07/2011 22:21

I've noticed that guys are always calling each other 'mate' now....

Very ozzie!

sausagesandmarmelade · 20/07/2011 22:22

Dearpru sounds like Milly of made in chelsea.

Very sloany behaviour!

manticlimactic · 20/07/2011 22:26

My sister has started doing this in the last few months. She's in her 50's. I tend to notice she does it when she's talking about something she's not sure about - or something she thinks we won't agree with. I've often found myself asking her if she's asking a question. . She has just taken gardening leave from work due to being stressed so I think her confidence has taken a knock. Perhaps this is why she's doing it. Hmm

begonyabampot · 20/07/2011 23:41

someone told me once during a course (was giving a presentation) that I did this. -I did get a bit paranoid but forgot after all these years until you now have just reminded me, so I'm all paranoid again now!

superjobee · 20/07/2011 23:50

a very long term friend of mine has a little sister. she was normal. i didnt see her from ages 13-17 and when i saw her on her 17th birthday...

VLTFLS: oh my god? is that you super? how are you? im soooo drunk? hahahaha like totally ratted? do you get like that yeah?

ME: vltf, what the hell happened to your little sister?!!!!!!!

makes my blood boil but luckily im an anti social cow i dont see her so much Grin

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