Yourself, myself - it's not rocket science

[Habbibu]

Some moons ago, I was engaged in a protracted debate with TalkTalk. This finally came to an end with a message on my answering machine where a very officious woman admitted they'd stuffed up. My joy was marred, however, by her persistent use of phrases such as "our service to yourself" "we have credited yourself" etc etc.

I hear it all the time - the really quite fab junior rally driver interviewed on PM the other night. Lovely chap, but the misuse of reflexive pronouns made my teeth itch.

Why do people do this? My only thought is that it's somehow seen as a more formal form, somehow, and that it's some weird hyper-correction. Anyone have any other ideas?

Yes. Rocket science is actually quite straightforward isn't it? I mean, not to me, but to people who aren't science numpties. It's all just yer basic Newtonian stuff, no?

The expression should be 'It's not quantum science', or something.

I think rocket science is quite hard, actually. Although weren't the Apollo missions sent up with the equivalent computing power of a pocket calculator, or somesuch?

Bugger off over to Cliche-haters' corner. This here corner's for pedants.

Oh alright Habbibu, it may be false deference more than reticence. I still find it funny though.

(Cliche-haters' Corner funny too)

And "it's not quantum science". There is some good pedantry here today.

Rare as rocking horse shit is another cliche that has me sucking yesterday's branflakes from my teeth.

It's my birthday today. I've reached that age where I don't care.

varicose

Many happy returns to yourself, swedes

Actually, it really isn't very nice is it. OK Habbibu, I agree with you.

Happy Birthday, Swedes. Hope you are doing something lovely tonight.

I've just established the restaurant I wanted to go to at 8pm is fully booked. Himself is going to hang, draw and quarter me. I mean, booking a table isn't rocket science is it? Do I

a) say I've changed my mind and booked the Bean Tree instead?
or
b) come clean?

You sound like a Roddy Doyle novel now Swedes. Himself, yer man, will have to eat in the Bean Tree (whatever that is) and like it.

Have you ever been to a Harvester before?

Now, see, I do actually use Himself to refer to DH at times, as an alternative name. So that which Swedes just posted would make sense to me (gag re. the Rocket science thing though! )

What is a Bean Tree? Iorek, are you trying to tell us it is like a Harvester?

I don't know, thumbwitch - it was just a guess. I hope not for swedes' sake.

so long as it's not a Wild Bean Cafe....

Happy birthday for yesterday Swedes, hope the Bean Tree was nice.

Habbibu - thanks.

Edam. Thanks .

Oh Habbibu, I heard that rally driver on PM too and I noticed the "myself" thing and it set my teeth on edge too. I really do need to get a life .

Iorek - thank you too, sorry did not read sufficiently far back in the thread.

arghhh- how I hate the use of 'yourself' or 'yourselves' - Estate Agents are notoriously bad