Phrases that piss you off

[Bad Jim]

"I'll get straight to the point"

Congratulations, you have just delayed getting to your point with six unnecessary words.

http://youtu.be/FFZkbDWvELo?t=4m4s

 

[Euryalus]

Most "wise" sayings that are simply tautologies. "What will be, will be" and "It is what it is" come up frequently. I call them out just about every time.

"Could care less" instead of "couldn't care less" is another one that drives me to frustration faster than a race car with rocket jets.

There are others, no doubt. Especially the needlessly dramatic statements people often make over little things, but those aren't specific phrases so much as archetypes for phrases.

The phrase "what will be will be" is only a tautology when read in a strictly literal sense. It is an attempt to communicate the idea that some things are out of our control and can only be accepted/tolerated/endured. Similarly "it is what it is" means that the subject has certain characteristics, and railing against them wont change that.

Now, it's perfectly possible to argue against those statements. Why should we accept things as they are? How can we be sure we can do nothing? But just because they aren't necessarily right doesn't mean they are meaningless. (You could argue that something can't be wrong unless it has meaning: "fhaglhg" isn't wrong because it isn't actually a statement of anything, just gibberish)

Not a fan of inevitability myself. One of my favorite Douglas Adams quotes deals with that topic. "Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."

I've always loved that quote, it helps you to stop viewing things negatively and put unnecessary barriers in front of yourself.

But with the phrase I always saw it as more of a stoic way of looking at things.

There are things in life people tend to moralize as bad or terrible and really it's mostly just perception.

Some people freak right the fuck out if they fail a test or something, and really it's not that bad.

Reminding yourself "it is what it is" is a way to remove your perception of it as bad and focus on dealing with the situation.

If you failed the test you can't realistically go back in time and fix it, so you have to focus on the present as a world where you failed that test. What do you do now? Maybe study harder. Maybe drop out and start a business. You'll have options if you stop focusing on things you can't change and look at things you can change.

Both those quotes probably work better together, but I can get how it'd be annoying if they're coming from people who are probably just using them as word filler.

OT: I tend to get irritated by people who say pop instead of soda... almost entirely because I say soda in a state where pop is the main word and get tons of shit for it XD

 

[Llil]

"It's a double-edged sword" when used to mean something that's both good and bad. It makes no sense. A sword that has two edges is more dangerous to the target, because it can cut both on the forward stroke and the back stroke without having to turn the weapon around. If anything, it should mean "bad and worse", as the sword cuts both ways.

 

[SoranMBane]

"You're reading too much into it." ~ Said whenever a person is attempting to start a critical discussion of the thematic meaning of a piece of popular art, usually accompanied by some variation of "It's just supposed to be a fun movie/game/tv show! It was never meant to have any deeper meaning." That may be true; the work may not have been intended to have deeper meaning, but it does anyway, because it was made by people. All people have values and beliefs, and those values will always bleed into the art they create, even if it's only subconsciously, and that unintended meaning absolutely worth exploring.

Plus, what these people are basically saying is "I think you're wasting your time and energy discussing this, so I'm going to waste my time and energy to tell you that you're wasting your time and energy, because I think I know how you should be spending your time better than you do." And that's the best case scenario, because at least that implies a condescending sort of concern for the other person. Worst case scenario, what they're really saying is "I don't want you to make me think too hard about something I love, because then it might ruin my fun," which is a rather insecure reason for attempting to shut down a discussion.

If you don't think a discussion is worth having, then that's fine; don't have the discussion. Just don't chime in to tell others that they're "wasting their time," because then you're just being a jerk.

 

[Foehunter82]

PC master race.
The total and utter cretins who use this obviously never saw the zero punctuation video it came from.
Were it was very clearly used to insult pc elitists.

Apparently the idiots who use it are so thick they don't get it.
And they never heard of the association with nazism that the words 'master race' has.

I direct you to Newton's Third Law:

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

Those of us that playfully use "PC Master Race," we use it as an offensive retort to console gamers for the many years of "PC gaming is dying" that we as PC gamers had to hear.

We're not idiots, and we're fully aware of the racism and hatred tied to the phrase "Master Race." So, please try to consider things before you start accusing people of stupidity.

That is the statement that annoys me most: "PC Gaming is Dying."

For the record, I have no problems with console gaming in general, but many console gamers are every bit as irritating as many of us PC gamers. I believe strongly in each player utilizing their platform(s) of choice to play games on, but when someone starts throwing around the "PC Gaming is dying," or "PC gaming is dead," I tend to get pissed off.

 

[Suhi89]

Spoiler: XKCD telling it like it is

I dislike arguments against free speech that are based around the fact that the first amendment only protects you from the American government arresting you for the use of said free speech. Firstly, it's incredibly Americo-centric. There are over 6.5 billion none-Americans in the world that aren't protected by the FA. Should I, as a Brit, have a right to free speech? If you think so, as I do, then the right clearly goes beyond the particular wording of the FA.

More significantly, it ignores the fact that there are myriad ways to stifle free speech that don't involve the state getting involved. You don't need a law against drawing Muhammad or writing novels that some Muslims find offensive if people are fearful enough. Most newspapers wouldn't print the Danish cartoons, not because of the threat of legal ramifications but because of death threats.

You don't need a law against blasphemy if someone who blasphemes loses their jobs, is evicted from their property and shunned by society for doing it. That person's free speech is infringed just as much as if it was the state doing the infringement. Just because you have the legal right to say that you don't think that God exists, doesn't mean you have the right to avoid the social consequences.

You don't need a law against mixed race couples if no landlord will allow you to rent, or no owner will allow you to buy, or no employer will allow you work for them if you are part of one. Just because you have the legal freedom to marry a black woman, doesn't mean you have the freedom to avoid the social consequences of doing so, surely.

Now I agree that freedom of speech shouldn't be absolute, but I think it should be as broad as possible. In general, people shouldn't be losing their jobs because of political opinions for example. It's all too simple to say that it's only a protection from arrest. Free speech is more important than that and should have wider protections.

Totally agree with the rest of your point mind you

 

[Alcamonic]

Does "Exclusively for XBONE/PS4" count?

 

[Bravo Company]

I really dislike the saying "I won't even lie"

Why do you feel the need to tell me you won't lie? Would you normally be lying to me?

That's the only real phrase I can think of right now that I don't like. When people say "I could care less" I make sure to correct them, especially in verbal conversation when they mean "I couldn't care less", but it doesn't really bother me.

 

[HannesPascal]

Since all the good ones are taken something that annoys me is "think with your heart" and all other functions that are credited to the heart (emotion, courage etc). A lot of people I've met actually thinks the heart does more than pump blood, like storing emotions.

 

[PainInTheAssInternet]

I dislike arguments against free speech that are based around the fact that the first amendment only protects you from the American government arresting you for the use of said free speech. Firstly, it's incredibly Americo-centric. There are over 6.5 billion none-Americans in the world that aren't protected by the FA. Should I, as a Brit, have a right to free speech? If you think so, as I do, then the right clearly goes beyond the particular wording of the FA.

Not necessarily. Merely that you should fall under the same processes as the American counterpart.

More significantly, it ignores the fact that there are myriad ways to stifle free speech that don't involve the state getting involved. You don't need a law against drawing Muhammad or writing novels that some Muslims find offensive if people are fearful enough. Most newspapers wouldn't print the Danish cartoons, not because of the threat of legal ramifications but because of death threats.

The second you come into death threats, free speech no longer protects you because it's considered harassment. People keep quiet because there are limits to how well the law can protect you, as well as general PR.

You don't need a law against blasphemy if someone who blasphemes loses their jobs, is evicted from their property and shunned by society for doing it. That person's free speech is infringed just as much as if it was the state doing the infringement.

People who lose their jobs over PR nightmares tend to be in positions that require them having good PR. Getting kicked out of your place of residence unless you have caused a disturbance is a big no-no for the owners, as per the law that would leave them open to legal and civil liabilities.

Just because you have the legal right to say that you don't think that God exists, doesn't mean you have the right to avoid the social consequences.

Precisely.

You don't need a law against mixed race couples if no landlord will allow you to rent, or no owner will allow you to buy, or no employer will allow you work for them if you are part of one.Just because you have the legal freedom to marry a black woman, doesn't mean you have the freedom to avoid the social consequences of doing so, surely.

There are laws against discrimination, which that would be directly violating. That includes religious grounds and racial grounds alike. Additionally, you can't be kicked out for opinions either unless you cause a massive disturbance.

 

[Uncle Comrade]

I'm not a "Fill in the Blank" BUT...

Anytime anyone has ever said this in the history of anything, they go on to explain a viewpoint completely in line with "Fill in the Blank"

For example:
I'm not sexist BUT (followed by an incredibly sexist viewpoint)
I'm not racist BUT (followed by an incredibly racist remark)
I'm not a homophobe BUT (followed by something incredibly homophobic)
I'm not a serial killer BUT I did just kill a bunch of people

You adding "But" to the middle of your sentence does not make whatever you're about to say less racist/sexist/homophobic/stupid

Plus you really shouldn't need to tell people that you're not a racist/homophobe/whatever. Not being racist/homophobic/whatever is kind of the default state for most civilised people. It's like "Nobody said you were a racist, why did you feel the need to bring that up?"

 

[IllumInaTIma]

"They've ruined it!"
By "it" they usually mean their favorite hobby or fandom, and by "they" they mean... well, anyone. Other fans, creators, writers, developers or even cosplayers. The prime example is probably Jessica Nigri's cosplay. Whenever she shows her new sexy costume there will always be people screaming "She ruins my favorite fandom with her boobs!". Oh, did your favorite comics suddenly burst into flames the moment Jessica put on her costume? No? Then shut the fuck up! Your god damn fandom and favorite works will be always be there!

I've also become quite easily irritated when it comes to cosplay. "Oh, she's too Asian for that character. Oh, he doesn't look as tough as that character. Oh, black people should only cosplay black characters". No, no, no! The only valid critique when it comes to cosplay is the critique of COStume and that character's rolePLAY, e.g. if the cosplayer acts like a character if he puts on a performance. That's why it's called a god damn COSPLAY. And it is especially baffling when someone whines about Asians or Black people cosplaying white characters, but a white person cosplaying an Asian anime character?! It's perfectly legit! God damn it. There's also a reason why people say that "cosplay is everyone", because it is! No amount of shit talking or body or skin color shaming can stop a passionate person from making a costume of a character they like and then putting it on to show to everyone.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

Then you are quite possibly one of the most innocent people I've ever run across. I am shaking my head trying to figure out how it would refer to the quality of work.

To be honest this is the first (and only place) I have seen/heard it before.

 

[StormDragonZ]

"I Think"

If you ask someone how they are doing today, and answer with anything including I Think, then are you telling me you're not sure how you're doing right now? You either know or you don't!

 

[Major_Tom]

"It's a double-edged sword" when used to mean something that's both good and bad. It makes no sense. A sword that has two edges is more dangerous to the target, because it can cut both on the forward stroke and the back stroke without having to turn the weapon around. If anything, it should mean "bad and worse", as the sword cuts both ways.

I always thought they actually meant "double-bladed sword", with another blade sticking out from the back of the hilt (think Darth Maul's lightsaber). That would make sense, since it would be rather impractical.

 

[Relish in Chaos]

?Rape culture?

Because it?s a stupid concept and the people that use it doesn?t seem to have a realistic perspective of the world at all.

?It?s Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve?

One of the common arguments idiotic, uneducated Bible-thumpers spout out whenever they want to bash on homosexuality again.

?Get over it?

Because, more often than not, it?s being used by an unempathetic bastard who just wants to dismiss your feelings so you can join the Happy club with them; it never works and all it does is just piss off the already depressed individual.

 

[TheVampwizimp_v1legacy]

"I Think"

If you ask someone how they are doing today, and answer with anything including I Think, then are you telling me you're not sure how you're doing right now? You either know or you don't!

First of all, maybe the person you're talking to doesn't want to be perfectly honest and forthcoming with you. People are often intentionally vague about something because they just don't want to get into it.

Second, sometimes people are genuinely confused about how they feel. Emotions are not straightforward, on/off conditions. They have degrees of intensity, admixtures, shades of distinction... And not everyone is emotionally adept in the first place. There are many times I can think of that I have been less than certain about how I feel concerning a confusing or distressing situation.

OT: The only sayings that really get to me are the ones used incorrectly. Things like "Could care less." Sorry, that's not the saying, and saying it makes you sound stupid.

Or, people using sayings in ways they aren't designed for. For example, using the term "double edged sword" to describe a bad situation. A double-edged sword is meant to describe something with both an upside and a downside, or an act that can both help and harm, something that cuts both ways, get it?

Everyone has holes in their knowledge, but really, people should know and understand these colloquialisms.

 

[Llil]

"It's a double-edged sword" when used to mean something that's both good and bad. It makes no sense. A sword that has two edges is more dangerous to the target, because it can cut both on the forward stroke and the back stroke without having to turn the weapon around. If anything, it should mean "bad and worse", as the sword cuts both ways.

I always thought they actually meant "double-bladed sword", with another blade sticking out from the back of the hilt (think Darth Maul's lightsaber). That would make sense, since it would be rather impractical.

"A double-bladed sword" would be better. That's not what people say, though. Maybe people don't really know the difference between the blade and the edge, or maybe they just don't think about the prase at all and simply use it as it is. But it's still annoying.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

Anything that presents a cutsy-poo play on words like it's an actual argument, such as "We kill people that kill people to show that killing people is wrong," or "Lack of evidence isn't evidence of lacking." (There's a bunch more like that but those are the first couple that came to mind)

Congratulations, you twisted the English language into a whimsical little ear pleasing phrase. Unfortunately the amount of smugness you exhibited in doing so makes you seem like a **** and what you actually said was oversimplified and fucking stupid.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"That was God working through you."

Related to this: "God has a plan" or really any such phrase uttered by people who seem to have pretty much given up thinking for them selves because of some 2000 year old, and horribly out dated book.


Also, any term used by fanboys to make then seem 'better' then another group. The PC fanboys like 'PC Gamine Master Race', but really, there's nothing 'Master Race' about them, and the 'air of supermecy' they mistakenly think they have comes from dragging files from one folder to another. woo hoo ... Same applys to any one that thinks they're better for using a gaming Platform or character and thinking they're some how a better gamer for it, especially when said character is over powered to begin with.(I'm looking at you Loki fan base)