Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Needless To Say

The phrase "needless to say" annoys me.

Example: Last weekend we did x, y, and z. Needless to say, we've been busy.

If something is really "needless to say" then why say it? And if you're going to say it, then why preface it with "needless to say"?

Can anyone unlock this mystery for me? Or at least commiserate??

Needless to say, this is driving me to drink.

20 comments:

Wilson Wonders May 19, 2009 9:59 AM  

Oh I'm right there with you, but my bigger peeve is when people misspell words on public information or signs. (check my blog)

Anonymous May 19, 2009 10:17 AM  

Ugh! I agree. Here's another: "irregardless." It's not a word! But it's in the lexicon, and needless to say, it drives me crazy.

jbhat

Staci M.W. May 19, 2009 10:29 AM  

OMG Anonymous, you're so spot on with that one! It makes me cringe and laugh simultaneously!

How about this one -- when people say, no offense -- odd because whatever comes after that phrase is typically offensive!

Lori B May 19, 2009 10:40 AM  

lol...I used "needless to say" in my blog post yesterday. I'll have to pay more attention to that one. And I'm right there with the other poster about irregardless...not a word!

Emily May 19, 2009 10:42 AM  

I'm sure I use it, but it drives me crazy, too. Another one that gets me is "Obviously". If it's obvious, you don't need to call it out. My in-laws answering machine is "Hi, you've reached ______ and ______. Obviously, we're not home right now." Ugh, makes me cringe.

Amber May 19, 2009 10:45 AM  

I think I'm guilty of using "needless to say." Now, I'll probably notice it more!

My biggest pet peeve is when people use the word "healthful," a la Rachel Ray. It's not a word! The word is healthy! I was reading a magazine article and the woman being interviewed actually said, "Now I have time to make a healthful meal for my family!" Where was the editor on that one?! ::cringe::

Amber May 19, 2009 10:48 AM  

Oh, oh, one more thing! When typing, people try to ask a shocked question [like mine above] but they do one of these instead:

Where was the editor on that one!!?!

or

I don't know!?!!

No, no. You're asking a question, so the ? comes first. Followed by one !. The end.

Stephanie May 19, 2009 11:14 AM  

Ha ha! I have a friend who says that all the time. Anonymous is right on with "irregardless" as well. That drives me crazy!

Anonymous May 19, 2009 12:30 PM  

I hate "so on and so forth". I used to work with a woman that used that phrase in EVERY conversation.....drove me batty!

Jen May 19, 2009 1:32 PM  

I think I'm guilty of using the "needless" phrase. I'll have to pay closer attention, now!

It drives me crazy when people attach ".. and what not" to the end of a sentence. What exactly is a what not?

Jenn May 19, 2009 4:05 PM  

the two i hate are "it is what it is" and "and the like."

First of all - "it is what it is." Means NOTHING. It's just like saying "yup."

Then..."and the like"?? "We had many papers to grade, and the like." AND LIKE WHAT??

Grammar nazi reporting for duty :)

Kim May 19, 2009 8:44 PM  

You crack my shat up.

Needless to say, you are pretty dang funny.

melissa May 19, 2009 8:56 PM  

Needless to say, I would likely annoy you all with my healthful vocabulary and the like.

Irregardless, it is what it is.

Mwahahahahah. (Guess who thinks she's the funniest girl in all the land? Oh yeah. That's me.)

Anonymous May 19, 2009 10:32 PM  

It is what it is, needless to say and begs the question are all phrases that drive me batty

Caroline May 19, 2009 11:36 PM  

Also--"same difference"--what the hell?!

Centsational Girl May 20, 2009 12:24 AM  

I can't stand when people start a sentence with, "To tell you the truth..."

What ? You didn't plan on it until just now? Everything else you said was not the truth? Arrrgg.

Kathy May 20, 2009 8:06 AM  

I feel the same way about "Not to offend you, but, " Ok seriously...who is not going to be offended when something starts out like that!

G+D May 20, 2009 8:09 AM  

Oh, these are great examples of annoying phrases! And I'm certain I've been guilty of most of them (including using 'needless to say'--eek!) at least once in my life. Live and learn, right? <--Or is that another annoying phrase?

Anonymous May 20, 2009 11:40 AM  

haha - I love how everyone is apologizing for using "needless to say"! I guess it's used to emphasize the clarity of a point, right? It's not so bad, blog readers! Don't worry!

Rachel May 21, 2009 10:21 PM  

Ah, I agree with you. My personal pet peeve phrase is, "I could care less." No, my dear. That is incorrect. Please say, "I couldn't care less." Now I understand that you have reached the depths of your compassion for the situation and have come up empty. Thank you.

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