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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To laugh when people describe themselves as "cross"?

106 replies

mangoespadrille · 06/12/2014 19:44

I don't know why, but I always find it really funny. It makes me imagine an uptight, repressed middle class woman in twinset and pearls who cannot allow herself to express emotions properly. If you're angry, get angry! Say that you're pissed off, furious, enraged...cross is such a wet lettuce word.

OP posts:
MrsCakesPrecognition · 06/12/2014 19:48

I'm quite often cross. It is completely different from full-blown angry.
I get cross when I lose my keys, I save being angry for the shit stuff that really matters.

LindyHemming · 06/12/2014 19:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bluestocking · 06/12/2014 19:49

It may be a very MN phenomenon, but I find it funny when and OP describes themselves as "absolutely raging" over something utterly trivial which probably doesn't really even merit "mildly cross".

Fairenuff · 06/12/2014 19:52

Cross is different to any of the words you used OP. It's milder than pissed off, furious, enraged...

CheeseEqualsHappiness · 06/12/2014 19:53

I hate it when sil says 'I am very upset' and stomps off

I quite like 'cross' though it does sound twee, but I use it when irritated and not angry

Fairenuff · 06/12/2014 19:53

I can feel cross with myself sometimes but never angry with myself. They have two different meanings.

ladygracie · 06/12/2014 19:53

I say cross to my class as well. It conveys exactly what I want to say but as Euphemia says isn't too strong.

usualsuspectsparkly3 · 06/12/2014 19:55

It's a teacher word.

NobodyLivesHere · 06/12/2014 19:55

To me it's a very child like exprsssion. My kids get cross. I get pissed off. Lol

stargirl1701 · 06/12/2014 19:56

I use cross too and I'm a teacher.

HonestLie · 06/12/2014 19:56

I don't say cross and I admit I do find it amusing too however I think it is used the same as I would say "I'm not happy about that".

Nagoo · 06/12/2014 19:56

I'm hardly ever cross. I'm often vexed. I like that we have lots of words for it.

I do like cross though. It is a little bit twee, and inoffensive. It's a nice word.

Topseyt · 06/12/2014 19:57

Agree with bluestocking. I always imagine them racing along the road screeching like banshees and with steam coming out of their ears.Grin

Beangarda · 06/12/2014 19:59

I'm working class, and "cross" is a perfectly normal word, with no element of repression or gentility at all. Being 'cross' just isn't as full-blown as being angry/furious. Don't you find it a bit exhausting not to have a milder variant of 'angry', or are you really operatic every time you lose your keys or forget to take something out if the oven?

TarkaTheOtter · 06/12/2014 20:00

I use cross. I laugh when people say they are "furious/fuming" etc over something minor. In some situations I'll use "pissed off" but I think in certain circumstances (with children/older family members) it's a bit rude.

Bulbasaur · 06/12/2014 20:00

I don't think I've ever used the word before to express displeasure. My catch phrase is usually "I'm not very happy right now".

juneybean · 06/12/2014 20:02

I only ever use it around children because usually I'd say I'm really pissed off and it's not terribly child friendly...

Lomega · 06/12/2014 20:02

I say 'cross' when talking to children, i.e. I am going to get cross in a minute. If an adult or adult situation has irritated me I say things like "I'm so PISSED" hahah

Casmama · 06/12/2014 20:04

I'm not a teacher but only use it when telling my kids off. I like that it's twee and not too strong because they have the ability to piss me off like no other so saying cross helps maintain perspective Grin.

Weird to say to adults so YANBU.

fuckmeblindiknowthatcat · 06/12/2014 20:10

I like cross but only when prefixed with 'terribly'. Would it work saying you were not cross but 'disappointed'? Cross sounds weird when you say it a lot. Cross. Cross. Cross. Cross.

I think 'vexed' should make a comeback. Xmas Wink

ladygracie · 06/12/2014 20:12

I do like vexed. I'm going to use it this week. Maybe not on my class but at some point it will be used!

mangoespadrille · 06/12/2014 20:24

Vexed is awesome. Interesting that lots of teachers use it - I'm a teacher myself! I never use it. I'd probably be disappointed, then annoyed, then angry, then furious. Maybe a primary school thing? I can see why it would be appropriate with younger children, but there's just something about the word, I really can't take it seriously.

OP posts:
hauntedhenry · 06/12/2014 20:36

Cross is fine, what's funny about it? I like it.

For me pissed and pissed off are completely different. If I'm pissed off I'm angry, if I'm pissed I'm drunk Wine Wine Wine

Sparklingbrook · 06/12/2014 20:37

I am cross a lot, just meaning that something fairly minor has temporarily grated my carrot.

Unlike 'furious' when I am on the rampage so don't speak to me. (rare)

fuckmeblindiknowthatcat · 06/12/2014 20:38

Cross is definitely a primary school word as long as you can do the 'death glare' followed by Hmm

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