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.
Oh I’m right there with you, but my bigger peeve is when people misspell words on public information or signs. (check my blog)
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
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!
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!
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.
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::
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.
Ha ha! I have a friend who says that all the time. Anonymous is right on with “irregardless” as well. That drives me crazy!
I hate “so on and so forth”. I used to work with a woman that used that phrase in EVERY conversation…..drove me batty!
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?
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
You crack my shat up.
Needless to say, you are pretty dang funny.
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.)
It is what it is, needless to say and begs the question are all phrases that drive me batty
Also–“same difference”–what the hell?!
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.
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!
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?
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!
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.