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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be so terribly, terribly cross?

403 replies

musicforsmorks · 01/03/2022 20:18

In reality, I am asking is it being remotely unreasonable to suspect that hardly anyone uses this phrase in 'real life'?
It's all very well when one is perusing their Enid Blyton collection but I have honestly rarely come across it as a common element of social/familial dialogue (and I've been around a bit Grin).

Another one is 'Oh my goodness!', which, whilst having stood the test of time (unlike the poor, neglected cross), still doesn't crop up with regularity in my social circles or professional life very often.

Also interested in hearing other people's thoughts on certain phrases, and whether they are particular to MN, the written word, or just off with the fairies or whatnot.

My favourite MN regular is the did you mean to be so ruuuude?
Although, whilst frequently tempted, I have not yet had the pleasure of uttering it with any true gravitas in real life :(

OP posts:
HighOnPie · 01/03/2022 22:00

My dad says ‘blast’ when he’s v cross. I’ve never heard him swear.

EarringsandLipstick · 01/03/2022 22:01

@Biglipsmurphy

Also, if anyone asks you if you have news, the answer is divil a bit. But that's from Clare and I've added it to my vocabulary now.
A favourite of mine & a very popular phrase in West Limerick as well as Clare!
Original poster
musicforsmorks · 01/03/2022 22:01

@Thisisit2022

When my Mum is really angry, like REALLY angry she'll exclaim, "Blood and SAND".
GOSH! Grin I've only just remembered this, my grandmother used to say blood and sand too, long, long ago.
OP posts:
tkwal · 01/03/2022 22:03

Calling someone a "caution" is quite insulting, it means having seen how they behave / speak makes you cautious about behaving / speaking like them. Eg they are over the top or outrageous

Cherrysoup · 01/03/2022 22:03

@Brefugee

I use "terribly cross" and "my goodness" quite a lot. Mind you i also use all variations and versions of "fuck" too
Same, the milder ones at school, the latter in a sound proof office. I’m extremely Enid Blyton in front of the children. Lots of ‘Oh my goodness/word’.
Lolalovesmarmite · 01/03/2022 22:03

I use ‘oh gosh’ and ‘goodness me’ on a daily basis. I think I’m turning into my grandmother. I’m also a fan of the occasional ‘Good Lord’. It saves my children repeating what it is I’m actually thinking!

AffIt · 01/03/2022 22:04

I use 'heck' in place of 'fuck', it works well (i.e. 'heckin' cold today!').

Skelligsfeathers · 01/03/2022 22:05

The kids j work with know they are walking on very thin ice when i say " i am starting to feel really quite grumpy now"

Original poster
musicforsmorks · 01/03/2022 22:06

Anyone recall 'ecky thump'?

I am from Shropshire but have lived in the north for some years. Was quite a surprise to me when first hearing it. Like many expressions it appears to be dying out. Perhaps it was regional?

I think the White Stripes used it as a song title back in the noughties.

OP posts:
FilthyforFirth · 01/03/2022 22:07

I say oh my goodness daily (dont want to swear around my kids) and I will admit I say 'super cross' quite often too...

Letterasaurus · 01/03/2022 22:08

I say gosh, goodness, good gracious, crikey, and blimey but also say fuck several times a day.

LetHimHaveIt · 01/03/2022 22:09

For whatever reason, I don't hate 'terribly', but loathe 'horribly'. Sentences like 'Your OH is being horribly cruel', enrage me.

Original poster
musicforsmorks · 01/03/2022 22:10

@tkwal

Calling someone a "caution" is quite insulting, it means having seen how they behave / speak makes you cautious about behaving / speaking like them. Eg they are over the top or outrageous
Ah, DP uses it (amusingly) with pets, not people, so we're safe!
OP posts:
Cyberworrier · 01/03/2022 22:10

@traintraveller lol I have elderly relatives who say "jings!" and it strikes me as old fashioned and sweet in the same way as when people say "golly!". They may well be distant cousins of the Broons.

DrEmilleShofhousen · 01/03/2022 22:11

I say "quick sticks" probably daily to my kids. I hate myself for it.

StScholastica · 01/03/2022 22:11

Used to work with a miss prim and proper who said "oh my" quite often. It made me laugh as she sounded like something from a badly written porn novel.
Eg....."he whipped out his glistening manhood.....oh my" she exclaimed.

BowerOfBramble · 01/03/2022 22:12

@musicforsmorks

Anyone recall 'ecky thump'?

I am from Shropshire but have lived in the north for some years. Was quite a surprise to me when first hearing it. Like many expressions it appears to be dying out. Perhaps it was regional?

I think the White Stripes used it as a song title back in the noughties.

Thanks for the reminder! My dad used to use this (as a joke) and I haven’t heard it for years.

Hell’s teeth! Is a good one. I often heck, gosh, blimey etc at work - to people. If you hear me say fuck off your little fuckety fucker, I’m probably talking to a printer or a toaster.

BowerOfBramble · 01/03/2022 22:13

@Arucanafeather

I have text my mother asking her if she meant to be so rude Grin
Oooh so have I! She did actually backtrack from what I presume was accidentally being so rude…
Athenajm80 · 01/03/2022 22:14

Terribly cross makes me think of Chris de Burgh's Patricia the Stripper "and Maude say Oh Lord, I'm so terribly bored, I really can't stand it anymore"

DelurkingAJ · 01/03/2022 22:14

Another here who says ‘I am really very cross’ to the DC and hears my own DM in every syllable. ‘Good grief’ I use at work. Along with ‘Heaven help us’.

How do you feel about ‘not being a happy bunny’?

BoredBoredBoredB · 01/03/2022 22:15

@musicforsmorks

Anyone recall 'ecky thump'?

I am from Shropshire but have lived in the north for some years. Was quite a surprise to me when first hearing it. Like many expressions it appears to be dying out. Perhaps it was regional?

I think the White Stripes used it as a song title back in the noughties.

I thought you meant the martial art of Ecky thump. I do remember it now! It was popularised by the Goodees.
ThreeRingCircus · 01/03/2022 22:15

I use "Oh my goodness" a lot, probably daily around the DC. Also "Man alive" and my favourite "Christ on a bike!"

My best friend says "Good heavens" quite a lot which is endearing

Minesril · 01/03/2022 22:15

'Well gosh.' In the style of the mayor when he's about to be blown up!

thehighsandthelows · 01/03/2022 22:17

Only around kids. They're just pleasant ways of saying I'm fucking furious and oh shitting hell. I come out with all sorts of CBeebies nonsense language since I found out my kids could swear.

JudgeJ · 01/03/2022 22:17

@SpikeDearheart

I like 'miffed' and 'irked'.
Has anyone been cheesed off so far?
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