Irritating Covid Phrases

[GoldenPenPot]

Now we’re about a year into the pandemic, we’re in a good position to assess what new phrases and words are the most irritating.

I’ll start with the obvious ones - “Covidiot” and “New Normal”. However, I also hate the “Stay safe” at the end of emails (suspect that’s just me).

It’s just the flu
Stay safe
Bubbles
Key worker

Super long phone messages

Reading excuses for why people need to travel, break the rules etc.

Unprecedented times.

You could play a drinking game while watching the news or conference and get wasted if you took a shot every time someone said it.

Scaremongering.

I'm sick of all the others as well, but "scaremongering" really sets my teeth on edge. Probably because it's usually part of the inarticulate, poorly-spelt, aggressively ignorant rant of a pure idiot in response to inconvenient facts.

@ifitpleasesandsparkles

Frontline.

It's pathetic. People are lacking excitement in their lives so they turn to theatrics to increase the drama.

@ifitpleasesandsparkles I hate the term frontline. We are not in a war

Any phrase that includes the word 'selfish

This.

@Topseyt

"Due to Covid" is also highly irritating. it usually prefaces some piece of twattery, made up rule or excuse for poor or non-existent customer service.

And this.

@poppycat10

Any phrase that includes the word 'selfish

This.

Especially the smug 'I'm following the rules because I'm not selfish and care about the greater good'.

"Selfish" being narrowly defined to mean 'uncritically follow arbitrary 'rules' which are much easier on some people than on others'.

Pretty much fucking all of them

@BeautifulStar

The “look them in the eyes” advert gives me the rage.

Entirely justifiable rage.

Yes I can look them in the eye because I'm following your fucking rules! Now wouldn't it be great if hospitals got a handle on infections and we were not demonised for going on a fucking bus!

Everything those twatty non expert TV correspondents say. That smug woman Emma Simpson who reports on the 'death of the high street' on the BBC. Meanwhile she gets to travel the whole country spreading doom.
Politicians who start their pronouncements with 'We have to ensure that..' schools never reopen, people are stuck inside for the rest of their lives blah blah blah

New Normal. That can fuck right off.

@raviolidreaming why does the phrase "misinformation about vaccines" irritates you?

Anything with the words 'New Zealand' in it. If people don't understand the differences between New Zealand and Britain 10 months on, there's little hope for them.

I also hate 'the science'. As in 'Well, I'm following the science'.

As though a) "the science" were established, agreed facts rather than something about which more is being learned and much is uncertain and b) that factors such as The Economy or The Society didn't have to be balanced against The Science, as we do in all other aspects of life.

I can’t cope with key worker being at the start of every Facebook post.
“Hi I’m a key worker and want to buy a new car”

“Key worker here, just wondering if any takeaways are delivering to the moon”

“As I key worker I am devastated to come home from work to find I have been burgled” - as if it is a barrel of laughs for the rest of society!

@Chanandlerbong01

I can’t cope with key worker being at the start of every Facebook post. “Hi I’m a key worker and want to buy a new car”

“Key worker here, just wondering if any takeaways are delivering to the moon”

“As I key worker I am devastated to come home from work to find I have been burgled” - as if it is a barrel of laughs for the rest of society!

Especially when key workers include people like my friend who works as a marketing assistant in a university.

@Chanandlerbong01

I can’t cope with key worker being at the start of every Facebook post. “Hi I’m a key worker and want to buy a new car”

“Key worker here, just wondering if any takeaways are delivering to the moon”

“As I key worker I am devastated to come home from work to find I have been burgled” - as if it is a barrel of laughs for the rest of society!

Oh god yes, this!! Usually posted by someone who has their profile photo in a frame that says "I Can't Stay Home, I'm A Keyworker". Fuck. Off.

@everythingthelighttouches

freezedriedromance

“ Shortening coronavirus to corona.”

Yes!!!!

Or worse (and including the unnecessary use of “the”)

“The ‘rona”

{not envy}

Oh I quite like ‘The Rona’

Perhaps the term "key worker" needs to be further clarified to Covid facing role. Many remote digitally connected non Covid facing workers are more critical than some everyday key workers.

Critical key workers should be more qualified specialists medic professionals saving lives in ICUs and not so much self declared sandwich artisans or barista etc in commonplace high street outlets. No offence intended to shop staff as without you many other key workers doing essential eating and drinking will be hungry!

There should be more clarification as to spectrum of critical key-ness. Otherwise the assumption being everyone else not currently by existing definition "key" is dispensable and surplus to requirements!

@stilllovingmysleep

why does the phrase "misinformation about vaccines" irritates you?

I meant any of the common phases which are misinformation about vaccines. I didn't want to repeat them as the more they are repeated the more people latch onto them.

“Loved ones”

@Donoteatthekittens

“Don’t you know there’s a GLOBAL pandemic?”

Urgh yes, this is annoying on so many levels!

Follow the one way system.
That's doors for entry/exit.

Yeah,cos I'll definitely get Covid if I go out a door marked entrance ffs

@Takingeachday

“Loved ones”

And the sad thing is that sometimes people who are completely unloved die of CV. Sorry to be so cynical.

Everything that people have already said, especially:
'Stay safe' never had it at the end of an email though, just said to me.
Businesses with posters and slogans etc saying along the lines of 'helping to keep you safe' 'let's all stay safe'
Bubbles and bubbling
Covidiot
New normal
Unprecedented times
Zoom
Adverts and radio presenters introducing phrases like 'we're all ....' eg 'in these unprecedented times we're all having to use zoom while working from home as we adapt to the new normal' completely alienates over half of the audience who are carrying on going out to work as usual
There are loads more but these are some of the main ones.
Thanks op for letting me get that off my chest