Oxford University researchers have listed the top ten most irritating expressions or phrases in use today. They're in a book called "Damp Squid", which was given that particular title because so many of us mistakenly talk about a damp squid instead of a squib when something fails to meet expectations. I was interested to find out which expressions made it into the top ten so here's the list:
1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science
I do find most of those irritating, particularly number 2, along with its close relative "very unique", and I know I'm guilty of using number 6 and probably a few others. One that isn't on the list but would be in my top ten is "don't ask" . Why do people say "don't ask" when you've already asked them about something? I recently bumped into an ex-colleague and asked "How's the job?". She replied "Don't ask". But I already had! So, tell me, which expressions get your goat? (And there's another one).
