AIBU to hate the phrase 'waste of space'?

[supersop60]

I work in several schools, and in one school in particular I regularly hear a colleague refer to pupils as 'a waste of space'. AIBU to think this is quite a nasty expression?

It's not a nice thing to say about children, but I don't see any problem with the expression in general.

Yes, of course it's a nasty expression. That's the point surely. No one would use it if they weren't intending to be nasty.

It is a quick way of not swearing, not being personal or getting into detail. It allows a very frustrated teacher to air their frustrations quickly - always necessary with the 1 minute between lessons if you are lucky way we work.

If your colleague is regularly using this expression then your colleague is probably close to the end of their tether. You might want to offer them some support!

It's like wishing a child into non-existence, instead of saying they are irritating, lazy, rude or whatever the problem really is.

Yup! That is exactly what it is? What is the problem? Unless your colleague is Harry Potter their wish isn't going to come true! They are just venting!

Using it about a child? Not nice. Using it about an ex? Absolutely fine.

Weird.

Someone who works in a school calling children a 'waste of space' doesn't sound all that bright.

Can she not find the door??

Horrid thing to say about any living thing, I think. Unnecessary objects can be a waste of space, sure. But saying that about a person is kind of objectifying them and saying they're worthless, which is horrid.

What bubs said. Used for objects in the literal term - fine. Used for a person is really nasty.

I use that expression fairly frequently, I consider it a very mild insult.

If I really dislike somebody I would call them eg a fucking twat.