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Three Words I Hate

February 08, 2012 1:03 am by Reticula in Blogging & Social Media

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I was watching The Voice tonight when Christina Aguilera said, "For whatever reason...." And for whatever reason, I cringed. My eyes involuntarily squinted. I wanted to stab somebody with my red pen. I hope to never hear those three words uttered together again.

Are there certain 3-word combinations that make you want to stuff your panties in your ears? It probably wouldn't surprise anybody to know I have thousands dozens. Here are a few of my least favorites, without unnecessary explanation:

That being said...
...thought to myself...
To be fair...
You've really grown.
Don't touch that.
Eat your liver.
No more chocolate.
No more dessert.
No more (fill in the blank ).
She's so old.

You used four words, Cookie Monster. Four awful, hurtful, selfish, unnecessary words. Go sit in the corner, bitch, and think about what you said.

To be fair, I can also think of three words I dig hearing together. Words like

I love you.
I want you.
Here, let me.
Damn, you're big.
You're so sexy.
Breakfast is served.
Want a cookie?

Awwww. I don't care if you can't count as long as you give me cookies. C'mere, you big monster, you.

Those are my short lists. Did I miss any 3-word combinations you hate? Want to hear every day of your life? Don't give a shit about?

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Homschlr4ever 5 pts

Just a minute - Wait, I'm coming - Hold your horses - that was great - in all honesty - you look fine - It was fine - Turn it down - What're you doing? - Are you ________ (when it's patently obvious what I am doing) and my favorite, Y'all come here. Who is Y'all? Yes, I live in the south but I grew up in S. Cal and I do have a name that isn't Y'all.

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Reticula 41 pts

Homschlr4ever That's a list! I've noticed a lot of people who aren't from the south are saying "all y'all." I hope that doesn't catch on. I really won't be able to bear it if I read "all y'all" in a college English paper in a couple of years.

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leahmsilverman 7 pts

ReticulaHomschlr4ever I'm a proud defender of the use of y'all. All romantic languages (and many others) have a separate word for the second person plural, and I applaud them for doing so. Its more expressive. When I moved to the south I adapted y'all on principle. I'll never stop using it.Having said that... 'all y'all' makes no sense whatsoever. Veto that.

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leslie miller 12 pts

Perhaps you hate "for whatever reason" because it's a wimpy--ass modifier. A person (such as Xtina, for example) uses it when they don't have the balls to come right out and boldly say whatever it is they want to say. They deny responsibility by pretending they don't know why they did or didn't do, say or think something...

I'll have to watch that in my own conversation. Thanks, that was kinda thought provoking!

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Reticula 41 pts

leslie miller Absolutely right, Leslie. And in this case, the recipient was waiting for her judgement, so wimping out just doesn't cut it. From now on when I hear this phrase, my response will be, "No, tell me. What is the reason?"

I'll ask Christina when we have lunch tomorrow and report back. ;-)

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stallworthhl 10 pts

"In my opinion" drives me crazy! If you expressing it, obviously it is your opinion. And don't get me started on "irregardless".

More than 3 words: "I don't mean to be critical but..." and "I'm not racist but..."

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Reticula 41 pts

stallworthhl Lots of those "but" phrases could lose the entire first clause. It's only what comes after the but that matters.

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hollynielsen 7 pts

Funny that "I hate xxx" is at the top of my list. There are things that I dislike, but I reserve that term for really, really awful things.

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Reticula 41 pts

hollynielsen I try to watch my use of the word hate too, especially as it concerns people. It's such a short, easy word to use, but it does have power.

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leahmsilverman 7 pts

Like I said...

No good can come of a sentence that starts that way.

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Reticula 41 pts

leahmsilverman I hate hearing it (somebody's nagging!) and I hate having to say it (I'm nagging).

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@BehavioralChild 222 pts

Oooh girl, I got so many of them, I don't know where to start. Top of my list are "you know what I mean?" (especially when repeated frequently during the course of the conversation) and punctuating a sincere sentiment with "I really mean it?", as in, all the other times, you didn't... what gives? My husband used to start most questions with "tell me something"... the redundancy and obviousness of stating before asking someone a question use to drive me up the wall. He's either stopped saying it or I have become selectively deaf to it, I'm not sure.

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@BehavioralChild 222 pts

*used* to.. can't spell for sh@t today...

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Reticula 41 pts

@BehavioralChild I have to confess, I find myself saying, "Does that make sense?" a lot to my students because I don't like "know what I mean?" and yet sometimes I can't tell if anybody's home in there.

You just have to become selectively deaf to husbands. Most of them don't expect you to listen anyway.

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cathy jones tittle 17 pts

I hate obvious statements. I'm awake and reading, writing or painting, SO gets up and says "you still up?". No, I'm sleeping sitting up with my eyes open. :D

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Reticula 41 pts

cathy jones tittle Or how about first thing in the morning when somebody asks, "Are you awake?" I hate mornings anyway, but obvious questions like that can ruin even my bad morning mood.

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GLRED 41 pts

Reticulacathy jones tittle

Or how about when you unlock your office door, briefcase in one hand, balancing coffee and files in the other, and somebody leans in the office and asks, "Have you seen the numbers yet this morning? Any thoughts?" ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Yeah, how about your fired???

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Reda 107 pts

I never want to hear YOU ARE PREGNANT again, as long as I live!

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Reticula 41 pts

Reda I can be certain I will never hear those words again. I can't imagine.

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beckeyp 39 pts

Many of my least favorite 3 word phrases are ones uttered on a daily basis by my 13 year old. Such as "I'm going to", and "In a minute" (which both mean, I'm pretending to do as you ask, but trying very hard to procrastinate long enough that you will forget you told me to do the dreaded chore in the first place)

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Reticula 41 pts

beckeyp How well I remember those days. And often those words are said in a tone of voice that implies you're being unreasonable and can't you see I'm doing something more important here? I don't miss those words!

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kytah00 5 pts

GOD DAMN IT - IT'S ONE I DON'T CARE FOR ANYWAY.

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GLRED 41 pts

kytah00 what are we doing still up?? i dont care for that one either-can't rememeber ever saying it out loud, but when i get in a pissy fit i will write, "ohhhh ga dam futher muckerrrr!" it says it all for me-lol!

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Reticula 41 pts

GLREDkytah00 I don't know about you guys, but I went out and sang karaoke and now I'm back.

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GLRED 41 pts

Reticulakytah00 Sing something for us now!

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isthisthemiddle 1113 pts

Ha-ha. Not exactly an answer to your question, but I hate when I say "I'm so old," and no one says, "No, you're not!" anymore!

Cookies for everyone! ;)

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Reticula 41 pts

isthisthemiddle I know what you mean! Ouch! I can say that in front of a classroom of 25 college freshmen and they all look at me like, duh. Of course you're old. I take solace in being smarter and wiser.

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Reticula 41 pts

This post may be funnier to regular readers of my blog who know I use the word "cookie" as a euphemism for orgasm. As in, "did you get your cookie?" Or, "Damn it, I didn't get my cookie."

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GLRED 41 pts

Oh, now that's funny!!!

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victorias_view 2145 pts moderator

I hate when a grown woman says "I have to go pee." I cringe every time!

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Reticula 41 pts

victorias_view I know, right? It's awful. But I still say it. :::blushing:::

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victorias_view 2145 pts moderator

Reticula Giggles. Maybe I`m just a prude...

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Conversation from Facebook

Wanda Lee

"we have to talk", I know, four words, but if you say it fast then 'have to" sounds like only one :)

Merrilee Snyder

I rarely use the word "perfect".

Dawn DeMeo

I guess we all have our pet peeves. For me it must be this type of list or the image of you stabbing someone with a red pen. (Although that would certainly make the person think twice about using *that* particular phrase again!) I admit I got a chuckle out of the idea of you stuffing panties in your ears! ;)

Reticulated Writer

Awww, Dawn. I'm not really a hater. However, I am a college English teacher, so I guess my life really does revolve around rules for words. In this case though, I was just struck by a phrase and decided to write about it. I'm doing NaBloPoMo this month and I have to grab inspiration when it strikes. :-)

Polish Mama on the Prairie

I can't stand "to be honest". lol It makes me wonder if the rest of the conversation with a person, they were not honest. And I've found that this Americanism is sneaking into my vocabulary, which drives me nuts. lol

Michelle Feyerabend Longo

2. I also can't stand when people say "Call it a day" when whatever it is they are doing would not end the day or the situation in the first place.

Michelle Feyerabend Longo

1. I hate when someone starts a sentence with "The reason being..." Usually the thing they are explaining requires no explanation.

Dawn DeMeo

I'm noticing a trend lately for people to take it upon themselves to make lists of rules they expect the rest of us to follow, or at the very least just "hate" things the rest of us do and make us feel bad about ourselves for being "guilty" of doing them. Three Words I Hate (so if you use them, I'll judge you). Annoying FB Photos (so if you post them, I'll judge you). Why all the negativity? I can't imagine being so bothered by these things that I'd take the time to sit down and make a list. Just ignore those things if they bother you. If you can't ignore them, I feel sorry for you. Your life mustn't have enough happy things for you to focus on.