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Original poster

to be sick to death of wanky language?!

423 replies

PyongyangKipperbang · 19/04/2023 01:51

Late shift so cant sleep and this has been bugging me.

Loads of examples I am sure but the two that are currently pissing me off is "curating" and "sourcing".

When did "buy new clothes" become "curate a fresh wardrobe". I do not curate, I am not a curator. I need clothes, I buy clothes, I wear clothes. End of. Also clothes do no go off, they go out of fashion but if that is the case then you are buying the wrong clothes, timeless classics never go out of fashion. You do not need "fresh" clothes.

When did "going to do the big shop" become "sourcing ingedients". Has anyone ever said "I am going to Tesco to source our ingredients"? Have they fuck! If I am making stew or salad or lasagne or.....dog shit on toast (an option I have occassionally offered the kids when they were pissing me off about dinner options) I will go shopping and buy what I need. I do not "source" beef and vegetables, or lettuce or bloody pasta. I will concede that the dog shit may need more in the way of sourcing.

You need stuff. You buy stuff. Why the need for bullshit language to make this boring life task into an "experience".....actually that's another one, I didnt "experience" a restaurant or a stately home or whatever, I visited it.

Now I cant sleep even more because venting has made me more angry!

OP posts:
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Loria · 19/04/2023 02:08

I agree with you.

What's more annoying is that all the time we have this ramping up of language we are experiencing a downgrading of service contact. Everything is via an app and you can't speak to people. You just press a space on the screen of a backlit device and hope for the best. You get cozy language, flowery language, language designed to make you feel like a participant in an experience exchange, but actually you are just a work producing unit that gives corporations and businesses access to your money.

And don't get me started on fucking "friendly". I see food labelled "vegan friendly" ... so, just "vegan", yeah? Similarly, premises that are "dog friendly" - like everyone who accesses them is complicit in friendship with dogs. No! The business owner allows dogs, no one is or has to be friendly, and we are all paying money. Don't dress that up in the language of camaraderie and togetherness.

Bah.

mainsfed · 19/04/2023 02:17

But who talks like this? I just wouldn’t be friends with people who talk like this.

And if it’s randoms online or on social media, just unfollow them.

Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 19/04/2023 02:46

Its a thing I have notice more with online shops/apps

I get an email about a sale and it says "Curate your fresh new look in our sale" instead of "Amazing reductions in our Spring sale". Or "source authentic ingredients for your XYZ feast" as opposed to " Best quality lamb for easter at Tesco"

Although I have seen "sourced" used many many times on MN with regards to cooking. "I spent hourse sourcing and cooking the food, and he wouldnt even wash up" Makes me stabby.

OP posts:
Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 19/04/2023 02:48

Oh dont get me started on "Vegan Friendly".....so....its not made of vegans then?!

I work in retail and we briefly (very briefly) had "vegan" labels on anything that didnt contain meat. Of COURSE it is vegan friendly.....its a fucking CABBAGE!!

OP posts:
HelpMeGetThrough · 19/04/2023 05:34

I'm with you on all this wanky language.

Or should I say "this resonates with me".

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 19/04/2023 08:09

Words and expressions become fashionable and you start seeing/hearing them everywhere. ‘Reaching out’ instead of just contacting, is another.

I doubt it will ever have registered with many MNers, but nobody ever used to refer to a ‘newborn’. It was almost always a new baby - or perhaps a newborn baby.
I’m fairly ancient so every time I see ‘newborn’ I wonder what on earth was ever wrong with ‘new baby’.
As for ‘curating’ I’ve seen it on a big sign in John Lewis, who really ought to know better, but maybe not, after signs with ‘gifting’ all over the shop around Christmas time. That’s one that really does rouse my inner Victoria Meldrew. (Aka Grumpy Old Bag, for anyone too young to understand the VM reference).

Dithyramb · 19/04/2023 08:13

You’re spending too much time online, and/or listening to or reading ‘influencers’. The only person I know in RL who uses the term ‘curating’ is an actual curator who runs an art gallery.

SoupedUpSue · 19/04/2023 08:15

If you hate this language don’t watch Succession then 😂 (or do because it’s completely hilarious)

loafintheoven · 19/04/2023 08:23

HelpMeGetThrough · 19/04/2023 05:34

I'm with you on all this wanky language.

Or should I say "this resonates with me".

>snorts tea out of nose<
Yes! All of the above!

ichundich · 19/04/2023 08:25

My current 'favourite' is 'talent', e.g. 'voice-over talent', 'translation talent'.

eyeoftheworld · 19/04/2023 08:26

It's absolutely wanky, but I love it! When DP gives me the look when I come home with yet another pile of books to add to the pile I haven't read yet, then I tell him it's not about just reading them, I'm "curating a personal library" 😆I devote a lot of time and effort to "sourcing new finds" for my collection (going round the charity shops) and he's invited to "partake in the experience" (read any he wants).

Mangolist · 19/04/2023 08:28

Every time I buy a new book on Kindle it tells me it's 'Updating my Kindle Store Experience'.
What? I just want to read it.

BogRollBOGOF · 19/04/2023 08:31

"Elevated" trying to look less cheap

SpreadableCheeseOnEverything · 19/04/2023 08:40

Mumsnet is the home of wanky language. Lots of posts could be halved in size if posters cut out the wankiness.

Problem on here too is someone will use a phrase or word, such as 'push back' and suddenly everyone is using it to try to fit in.

Wanky language breeds wanky language

Tealsofa · 19/04/2023 08:40

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 19/04/2023 08:09

Words and expressions become fashionable and you start seeing/hearing them everywhere. ‘Reaching out’ instead of just contacting, is another.

I doubt it will ever have registered with many MNers, but nobody ever used to refer to a ‘newborn’. It was almost always a new baby - or perhaps a newborn baby.
I’m fairly ancient so every time I see ‘newborn’ I wonder what on earth was ever wrong with ‘new baby’.
As for ‘curating’ I’ve seen it on a big sign in John Lewis, who really ought to know better, but maybe not, after signs with ‘gifting’ all over the shop around Christmas time. That’s one that really does rouse my inner Victoria Meldrew. (Aka Grumpy Old Bag, for anyone too young to understand the VM reference).

how ancient are you, I had new borns in 2000.....

also - hate curated.... wankers

Bearpawk · 19/04/2023 08:40

'Gifted' too..:
Not declaring an ad/ paid partnership on social media of course that's fine
But it's seeped into every day language:
'I was gifted this beautiful vase for my birthday'
'I gifted him a wallet'
FUCK OFF

ShimmeringShirts · 19/04/2023 08:44

“I will debrief you shortly” said to mean “I’ll tell you about it when I’m home again” (not a professional setting, my sister said this to me when talking about getting home from DMs. It gave me the irrational rage, all I wanted to know was if she’d made her an appointment or not, simple yes or no would have done!)

jimmyhill · 19/04/2023 08:46

"makes me stabby" .... now there's some wanky language

bunnypenny · 19/04/2023 08:50

i hate that everything is a journey…. My weight loss journey, my pregnancy journey, my breast feeding journey….

no no it’s just a thing you do. Stop being a wanker.

JulesJules · 19/04/2023 08:53

I hate "reaching out" with a passion. I have had this said to my face and I wanted to shout No! You don't have to "reach" do you? You're standing right there.

Another one I've just started to see all over the place is "speaks to"

ditalini · 19/04/2023 08:53

"Disclose" for telling someone something personal or potentially serious.

I know it comes from safeguarding language, so social work, teaching, healthcare, but now everyone is disclosing all over the.place. You don't just tell someone any more.

Actually thats the case with loads of wanky language, it takes a term used in a specialist context and uses it in a general one because it sounds fancier.

chillie · 19/04/2023 08:55

Also what is with the whole recycled crap, her dress is not recycled, it was never a curtain or tablecloth, it was always a dress, the exact same dress it is now, adding a jacket or brooch doesn't make it recycled, she's just wearing it again like we all do, so what!!

BrendaMcPherson · 19/04/2023 08:57

One word I see quite a lot on MN is 'hosting' which is probably a non wanky word but really gets on my wick. Whatever happened to having friends round?

Reallybadidea · 19/04/2023 08:57

My current most loathed are "I expressed that.." What on earth is wrong with said? And "I have the receipts" which I think, but not certain, means that you can prove something.

Puppyseahorse · 19/04/2023 08:57

Space.

curate airy, beautiful spaces in your home.

it’s a ROOM.

and piece.

this dress is a vintage piece I found on portobello road

ITS A DRESS

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