Why have people started using reflexive pronouns so much?

[Flippetydip]

I seem to hear a lot recently of "what can I get for yourself?" or "could you send it to myself with a, b and c copied in".

You get something for yourself, I get something for you. I send something to myself, I send something to you.

Is this now considered acceptable English?

I can't stand this. I think people use it because they think it sounds 'posher' or more educated but it does the opposite. I wish it would stop.

There's a bit in Austin Powers where he says 'Allow myself to introduce... myself'. Always reminds me of that!

I heard the Duke of Cambridge on the radio yesterday or the day before saying ' it has inspired Harry and I.....' Queens English?
I accept language evolves but all this 'myself, I ' in the wrong context makes me want to scream.

It's ignorant and really irritating. I've noticed in police shows they say things like 'I must ask you to accompany myself to the station' etc - ugh

I laughed MikeUniformMike

Oh, this annoys me! My colleagues with a ‘phone voice’ do it.

I get the impression people use them to sound less direct and more polite

I think that's exactly what it is. It's a sort of wishy washy way to avoid saying 'you', in case that's too familiar

Relieved to see it’s not just me who finds this infuriating!

Why have people started using reflexive pronouns so much?

Because they are illiterate cretins.

Is this now considered acceptable English?

Absolutely not.

Thanks pigmcpigface.

Its used alot in Ireland actually, where I'm from anyway and it isn't because it's posh

It sounds different swoons when Irish men say it though.

I get confused with this

would it be correct to say "the invitation to David and myself"?

Heard a good one the other week on the train.

"On behalf of myself, I would like to thank you for travelling with South Western Railway."

No. All kinds of NO.

1. You do things on behalf of other people, not yourself. If you're doing it on your own behalf, you're just doing it.

1. That's not how you use the word "myself" anyway.

1. I wouldn't travel with your shitty company if I had any choice in the matter.

I've sagged with relief that I'm not the only one who finds this deeply irritating. And I admit, I judge people, I do. There, I've said it.

I haven't noticed it so much in the past though, but I bow to my fellow pedants on this. Maybe it's The Apprentice that's made it acceptable in common parlance and therefore made me notice it more.

lighthouse - no, it would be the invitation (and it definitely is an invitation not an invite - but that's a whole different thread) to David and me, followed by David and I are going to the wedding.

I don't think this is very new; it's been pissing me off for years

It's something people say to try to sound more formal/weighty.

It sounds different swoons when Irish men say it though.

What about Irish women, are we allowed do it?

I wasn't taught grammar in school, so sometimes me, myself and I get things wrong.

would it be correct to say "the invitation to David and myself"?

No. It should be 'the invitation to David and me'.

This morning on a local FB page - "If anyone needs a residents pass for tomorrow you can get one from myself or the King Bill"

Aaaaaaaargh

It's infuriating, and unfortunately on the increase, particularly in the media. As an English teacher, I despair.

You can I just won't swoon . I don't think it sounds odd when Irish people in general say it, it's just a quirk. It's weird when English accents do it as you don't hear it. I'm American and don't think I've ever heard an American do it. WHat about the rest of the UK has it become a thing too?

@Trinity66 My Irish family would say things like ‘I saw himself in town’ - completely acceptable. My colleague saying ‘can you copy in myself next time?’ - rage.