Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Common Phrases People Say

I think everyone has one or more "pet peeves". One of my pet peeves is the use of language. I mean the English language here. I don't know any other human languages. There are a few phrases that I don't like, phrases that either are semantically null, are derogation to the speaker, or have drifted their meaning over time (I prefer the original, non-drifted meaning).

Phrases I don't like include:

  • "no problem": If it was no problem for the speaker, then the speaker's actions have no worth.
  • "talk to you tomorrow": I don't want to be talked "to". I want to be talked "with".
  • "mad" (i.e. are you mad at me?): The original meaning of "mad" is "crazy". I am not mad at someone, though I may be angry at or with them.
What phrases do you not like?

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