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?

You do realise Terry Pratchett isn’t writing documentarys, it’s called literature and the kind TO write was forthe most ‘pretend’.

My cousin makes me laugh because sometimes she'll say "cheesed off" (she teaches reception class so l assume it's her safe expression), which makes me think of very polite annoyed ladies, but in the past when one of her children was being particularly annoying, she'd mutter "Oh, XXX, for fuck's sake...." under her breath.

Only seen people use it on MN, don't know anyone in real life who refers to any meal as supper.

Goodness, I very rarely come across anyone who calls the evening meal anything different. It must be a geography thing.

I agree with "vile" as over-used on MN, also "You sound like hard work". About to join them in terms of both over-use and misuse as an insult is "woke".

Poorly is used a lot round here. No one calls the evening meal Supper. It's tea. Then you might have supper before bed if you're still hungry.

I don't think any of the words mentioned are Yorkshire-specific, are they?? I'm from North Yorkshire myself and I don't associate any of them with my dialect. Maybe "poorly" but it's not exclusive to the north as far as I'm aware.

I also don't see how it can be snobby to dislike words like "supper" and "tummy". My objection isn't class-based, it's twee-based.

I have no objection to
It, but it’s interesting that you cite Enid Blyton , because to me it sounds quite 1930s.

I like to say to my DS, apropos of nothing, in what I believe to be an impersonation of Lady Marchmain from Brideshead Revisited, 'do you know..? I've become rather attached to you'.

This is adorable

I think tummy is appropriate when you're speaking to a child. But I've seen what I assume to be adults on MN refer to having a "sore tummy" or worse, a "sore tum." We're adults, what's wrong with saying stomachache?

What on earth is wrong with 'tummy'?! It's a hell of a lot better than 'belly', 'stomach' is anatomically incorrect most of the time and although 'abdomen' may be accurate, it sounds ridiculous unless you're a doctor.

'Womb' though - bleurgh.

I did used to get quite confused when characters in Enid Blyton books got send to bed with no supper. I used to think "Well, that's a bit rubbish that they didn't get their milk and biscuits, but they won't be hungry because they'll have had their tea". It was only when I met my aforementioned posh friend that I realised supper was considered to be more than a couple of custard creams!

It sounds juvenile. 🤷 I thought that was clear, but perhaps not.

'tummy' is okay for kids. I'd feel like a big ninny referring to my tummy though.

cuppa

@jinglejanglefish you need to go to Scotland. It's in common use there. I like the word 'horrid' and even though I'm in old age if the insides of my abdomen aches have a sore tummy. I wear frocks occasionally and often get accused of using 'old fashioned' words - with a smile I might add.

Goodness, if the language starts getting any more proscribed we'll have no words left. I exaggerate of course, but it does seem to me that over time our language is getting less rich.

Goodness, I very rarely come across anyone who calls the evening meal anything different.

‘Goodness’ is another one I never imagined anyone would use in real life

Totally with you on ‘horrid’. I never heard an adult use it before I joined MN. I’m amazed how regularly I see it here, along with ‘Gosh’ and even ‘Oh my!’

YABU - it's a perfect word to describe certain situations or things or people. What's not to like?

I assume you're young and it wasn't used in your childhood. Looking at an online dictionary I found:

HORRIBLE
terrible, awful, appalling, frightful; hideous, grim, ghastly, shocking, revolting, repulsive, horrid, horrendous, horrifying, repellent.]

HORRID
dreadful, atrocious, distasteful, disgusting, grisly, ghastly, horrible, embarrassing, hideous, horrific, appalling, frightful, awful, gruesome, abominable, grim, abhorrent, abusive, annoying, biting

So there is a slight difference and I shall continue to use horrid.

Couldn't agree more MereDintofPandiculation they must be permanently exhausted from all the fuming and raging

I like 'oh my'. You can impregnate that simple little 'my' with a lot of different tones.

YANBU

I've only ever come across it used on here

Said by the sort that also says yum, poorly, cross and booby

Tummy is far better than using "stomach" to mean anything between the diaphragm and hips imo (gp) It may be twee but at least it's not incorrect.

But 'tummy' comes from the word 'stomach'. How can one be incorrect and the other not?

I’m an English teacher and I prefer horrid to horrible .

None of the tummy haters seem willing to share the word that they do use ...

I like 'stomach' or the despised 'belly'.

I'm trying to imagine a prospective romantic partner telling me he had a 'sore tummy'. My fanny would not flutter.

I like the word horrid. Much more satisfying than horrible.