AIBU about the word ‘horrid’

[VivienneHolt]

I’ve seen this on about 4 different threads in the last couple of days. AIBU that it gives me the rage?

Terry Pratchett said it best in the Hogfather:

‘That’s horrid’.

Horrible, thought Susan. The word is “horrible.” “Horrid” is a childish word selected to impress nearby males with one’s fragility, if I’m any judge. She knew it was unkind and counter-productive of her to think like that. She also knew it was probably an accurate observation, which only made it worse.

I don’t think I’ve ever encountered it in the real world save for in some of Enid Blyton’s more saccharine efforts, but suddenly it seems it’s invading mumsnet. It’s so twee and prim! It’s one of those words that immediately changes my whole perception of the post, regardless of what else it says.

Am I unreasonable to have such a visceral reaction?

What other words give people instant rage?

YABU. Using slightly more unusual words makes the use of language infinitely more interesting.

That said I cannot bear the word mucus.

Anybody who quotes Terry Pratchett as an authority on linguistics is BVU

See, I’d take shovelfuls of mucus over one whimsical horrid!

(My phone keeps trying to autocorrect to ‘horror’ which is wholly appropriate imo)

Anybody who quotes Terry Pratchett as an authority on linguistics is BVU

How dare you

Agreed. See also “poorly”, “sore” and “tummy”. And especially all or any of those used in combination in the same sentence.

YABVU. Horrid is one of my favourite words, so satisfying to say out loud. Horrible is just not as good.

Horrid is the perfect description sometimes!

Poorly 🤮 grim! Tummy fine for a 4yo but otherwise out. I don’t mind sore too much but agree that ‘sore tummy’ is something an adult should only be saying to a very young child.

Vile.

To me, vile means something intrinsically disgusting, abhorrent, totally irredeemable.

My mum uses it about anything she slightly dislikes, and it really pisses me off.

I was going to say I hate the word “grim” and just seen you’ve just used it, sorry! But I really hate that word. It’s only a word I see on MN and I don’t know anyone in real life who uses it.

I know grim is controversial! I picked it up from a girl I fancied at uni and have never quite managed to drop it 😬

I agree. Horrid is a horrible word. As is 'supper'. Only seen people use it on MN, don't know anyone in real life who refers to any meal as supper.

I think of horrid as one of the old fashioned words which is less used nowadays.

Similar to frock instead of dress, bathing suit instead of swimming costume, cross instead of angry, hurrah! rather than hooray.

I can't really read any deeper meaning into it.

Well, horrid was good enough for Shakespeare to use more then once! As in “..not in the legions of horrid hell” (Macbeth).

Supper is used almost exclusively by people pretending to be posher than they are, imo.

I have always said horrid. I don’t understand why it’s bad?

I hate the word foodie. It’s not a thing. People who describe themselves as ‘foodies’ just like food.

Horrid is very Enid Blyton to my ears. I couldn't use it without doing an impression of one of the Famous Five. Same with 'beastly' although you rarely hear that one these days.

I think of horrid as one of the old fashioned words which is less used nowadays.

Similar to frock instead of dress, bathing suit instead of swimming costume, cross instead of angry, hurrah! rather than hooray.

I always say horrid, cross, hurrah and frock!
I'm nearly 23.

What other words give people instant rage?

It's always moist and gusset on these weekly threads. Oh and meal.

I agree. Horrid is a horrible word. As is 'supper'. Only seen people use it on MN, don't know anyone in real life who refers to any meal as supper.

I like the word horrid, it's very descriptive and satisfying to say. I also live in real life and call the evening meal at home supper. I have never heard an adult in real life referring to an evening meal in a restaurant as 'going out for tea' but read it on here all the time.

Beastly! A gloriously, despicably twee word!

hurrah! rather than hooray.

To be properly old fashioned you should say 'huzzah'.

I say "beastly " too...

NaturalBornWoman

I think 'tea' is just as bad to be honest.

"Anybody who quotes Terry Pratchett as an authority on linguistics is BVU"

No - anyone who quotes Terry Pratchett as an authority on linguistics (or anything else) is brilliant!! Not that I am biased, of course.