To really hate the use of 'brigade'

[Somethinginthewoodshed]

in a disparaging way to group together anyone with an opposing opinion or different way of doing things

Seems to happen an awful lot. Was it always thus?

Oh aye. The Elf n Safety Brigade. Two fucking annoying things in one handy phrase.

YABU to think it only applies to anyone opposing opinion. 'Brigade' suggests an inherent bossiness to the opinion in question. There has probably always been a version of 'The Awkward Squad' dedicated to putting others' noses out of joint. See Genesis for examples.

My dd goes to 'girls brigade'... i thought it just meant 'group'!!!

what terminology would you prefer to be used for a group of people who have a different opinion? I wouldn't have thought it is disparaging, more descriptive.

Any suggestions?

The Fire Brigade are quite handy.

We were visited by the "Van Dal Brigade" on Sunday afternoon family get-togethers. They were three sisters - none of them here now - who all wore expensive, sensible shoes. They were a hoot because they always asked if we liked their new shoes, and told us how comfortable they were. I remember them very affectionately, so don't mind the use of "brigade".

Oh look here's the yabu brigade

I dunno, I just see it a lot on here and it always seems a bit sneery

It's not as bad as 'apologist', that one always makes me laugh

I hate it too.

Hurrah Humphrey you can be in my brigade gang