Words or phrases that annoy you (even if you can't explain why) . . .

[Scepticalscribe]

Then there's baited breath instead of the proper bated breath (from (a)bated).
Baited breath makes me think somebody hasn't cleaned their teeth for a couple of weeks.

The horror of baited breath.

Yes, that is another favourite (pet peeve) of mine.

Then, there are the armchair generals who fail to distinguish between "breach" and "breech" when writing (invariably, with great confidence) about military matters.

In high school science we got taught that every scientific instrument had three, separate, independent properties --

• Precision
• Accuracy
• Repeatability

Each property had to be separately calibrated.

Excellent, and necessary and useful distinctions.

 

[usagora]

I thought “biannual” is for an event of something that occurs every 2 years, so it is a repeating occurrence. Painting my house every 2 years is a biannual occurrence.

The odd thing is, according to dictionaries, "biannual" only means twice per year (not once every 2 years), yet "biyearly," "bimonthly," and "biweekly" can either mean twice per year/month/week or once every two years/months/weeks. Because of this ambiguity, those terms should never be used unless further context makes it clear which meaning is intended.

 

[Chuckeee]

The odd thing is, according to dictionaries, "biannual" only means twice per year (not once every 2 years), yet "biyearly," "bimonthly," and "biweekly" can either mean twice per year/month/week or once every two years/months/weeks. Because of this ambiguity, those terms should never be used unless further context makes it clear which meaning is intended.

And semiannual?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The odd thing is, according to dictionaries, "biannual" only means twice per year (not once every 2 years), yet "biyearly," "bimonthly," and "biweekly" can either mean twice per year/month/week or once every two years/months/weeks. Because of this ambiguity, those terms should never be used unless further context makes it clear which meaning is intended.

My understanding is that "bi-annual" means something that happens, or takes place, twice per year, whereas "biennial" means that something that takes place every second year, in other words, every two years.

 

[usagora]

And semiannual?

Semiannual means the same thing as biannual: twice per year.

 

[Gregg2]

As a native English speaker, even I get confused by certain expressions. Does "deceptively small" mean the thing is smaller than it looks or looks smaller than it is?

I thought it meant that the thing is small, but performs its task as well as if it were bigger.

 

[Gregg2]

Once we've sorted those out, we can discuss "biannual" and simple things like when "next Thursday" is, when it's currently Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

When it's Friday, I say "next Thursday" is in six days.
When it's Saturday, "next Thursday" is in five more days.
When it's Sunday, in four days it will be "this Thursday" or "this coming Thursday" and "next Thursday" has to wait eleven more days.

When it's Thursday, "next Thursday" is in seven days, and "last Thursday" was seven days ago.
When it's Friday, "last Thursday" was eight days ago, as the most recent Thursday was yesterday. "Last Thursday" remains on the same day until Sunday, when it skips forward seven days.

But, to avoid confusion, just use the number. "Thursday the 12th" is pretty clear.

 

[usagora]

But, to avoid confusion, just use the number. "Thursday the 12th" is pretty clear.

Ah, but the 12th of which month? This month or next month? Then you have to specify the year as well 😜

I normally don't use "this [day of week]" until Monday, since that's the start of the work week, and most people consider Sunday part of the weekEND, despite it often appearing as the first day of the week on calendars. If I say "next [day of week]" I would always mean that day NEXT week. Today's Tuesday, so if I said "next Wednesday" I don't mean tomorrow, but a week from tomorrow. If I meant tomorrow, I'd simply say "tomorrow" or "this Wednesday." The problem is, not everyone thinks that way 😉

 

[VisceralRealist]

"you do you" is a phrase I've been disliking lately. It's sort of like "my guy" in that it wasn't originally intended to be condescending, but when I see it used, it almost always is. It sounds like it means "live and let live" but it's hard to interpret it that way when you see it used in sentences like "well, that's the stupidest idea I've ever heard, but you do you, bro".

 

[usagora]

It sounds like it means "live and let live" but it's hard to interpret it that way when you see it used in sentences like "well, that's the stupidest idea I've ever heard, but you do you, bro".

I think there are two distinct uses: The sarcastic, condescending one that you gave an example of above and a sincere, well-meaning one that indeed has the idea of "live and let live."

For example:

Person 1: "Bro, you're an idiot if you waste money on an iMac. Just get a Mac Mini and a much bigger external display."
Person 2: "The iMac's display size is fine with me and I like not having extra wires. Not everyone has the same wants and needs. You do you."

 

[rm5]

"Quote on quote." Just stop. Please.

 

[adrianlondon]

"Quote on quote." Just stop. Please.

People who say quote-unquote "quote on quote". 😁

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Quote-unquote has its place, as it lets your audience know that you are quoting, or plan to quote, from some cited source, and sometimes, a specific quote is an apt observation in a conversation or discussion.

Better that, than the airy gesture of fingers mimicking quotation marks, or being reduced to an internal monologue deploring the fact that your interlocutor is not widely-read.

 

[usagora]

People who say quote-unquote "quote on quote". 😁

Honestly, although I know the correct phrase, they sound so similar I don't think I could tell the difference in spoken language unless someone was really purposely emphasizing the word "on." The 'o' would tend to be reduced to a /ə/ sound as heard. And of course it should never really appear in written language, since it would be pointless (just use quotation marks).

In any case, I certainly do not recall ever specifically hearing anyone say "on quote" in my life.

 

[Mousse]

People who say quote-unquote "quote on quote". 😁

Some people never learn song lyrics. They sing what they hear.

Quote-unquote has its place, as it lets your audience know that you are quoting, or plan to quote, from some cited source, and sometimes, a specific quote is an apt observation in a conversation or discussion.

Better that, than the airy gesture of fingers mimicking quotation marks

Air quotes are only appropriate when used in a mocking manner, as Dr. Evil often demonstrates.

"Do your own research" or "Essential workers" or Americans speak "English".😏

 

[rm5]

Two atrocious words that I came across recently: "furry" (as a noun) and "brony."

 

[decafjava]

Two atrocious words that I came across recently: "furry" (as a noun) and "brony."

Those have been around for awhile and yes they are atrocious. Also, "hopechad" or "copium".

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Two atrocious words that I came across recently: "furry" (as a noun) and "brony."

I had to look up "brony" to discover what it means.

Well you learn something new every day.

Agreed, it is awful.

 

[adrianlondon]

I had to look up "brony" to discover what it means.

That's the trouble with this thread. We're just learning new words to immediately hate.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

That's the trouble with this thread. We're just learning new words to immediately hate.

View attachment 2319148

Yes, it is both instructive and educational.

In my teaching days, my students kept me abreast of argot, or slang, or new and fashionable vocabulary, and kindly (and with a strange, shy - and occasionally embarrassed - pride) readily supplied explanations when I asked.

Now, however, I have to rely on social media platforms such as MR, and/or urban dictionary to tell me what these terms and words mean.

Fascinating to see how language changes, develops, and evolves, and equally fascinating to see which changes remain a permanent part of the language, and which are but a passing fashionable fad.

 

[adrianlondon]

Yes, it is both instructive and educational.

Agreed.

I like reading which words have made it into new additions of reputable dictionaries.
https://www.oed.com/ keeps a clean and simple list on their homepage.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Those have been around for awhile and yes they are atrocious. Also, "hopechad" or "copium".

Two more (words) that are entirely new to me.

And neither of which I have ever heard of until today, let alone understood (or know what context in which they are used).

Urban Dictionary shall be called upon again this evening, it seems.

 

[Ledsteplin]

It amazes me, the number of people I see who think "alot" is a word. It's 2 words, "a lot".

 

[rm5]

It amazes me, the number of people I see who think "alot" is a word. It's 2 words, "a lot".

"Alot"... alot.......

What?

Why?

Reminds me of the they're/there/their thing.

 

[usagora]

It amazes me, the number of people I see who think "alot" is a word. It's 2 words, "a lot".

Here's a useful link showing many single words that are often erroneously written as two separate words and vice versa . . . and some that can be written either way:

Is it one word or two?

27 words with commonly confused spacings

www.merriam-webster.com

I think if we're all honest, we commonly get confused about some of these. For example, I often want to spell "high school" as one word.