Am I getting grumpier?

Don't answer that! 

The latest irritation on telly is the response a lot of people are beginning to make when asked a question.

Their answer begins, "So . . . . . . "


Is it me getting worse, or am I imagining it!! 


And be careful how you reply, or I'll hit you with a virus via a PM!! 

I thought the PM was in isolation?
So, the thing is the PM is a politician and they NEVER answer questions, it must be you

Robert Peston ( as much as I like him) is a major culprit of doing this.

So... you've only just noticed?

The "So...." phenomenon started about 5 years ago. It's been particularly prevalent when scientists and other "experts" are interviewed. And yes, it makes me cringe every time I hear it.

I try to "fast forward" through Peston whenever he comes on - he has a delivery style which (to me) is even more irritating that Jeremy Clarkson's.

Laura Kuenssberg irritates far more than Robert Peston. He's just a self important poser.

One day she might say something positive about someone else, rather than the endless criticism and sniping.

Perhaps??

Roopert wrote:So... you've only just noticed?

The "So...." phenomenon started about 5 years ago. It's been particularly prevalent when scientists and other "experts" are interviewed. And yes, it makes me cringe every time I hear it.

I try to "fast forward" through Peston whenever he comes on - he has a delivery style which (to me) is even more irritating that Jeremy Clarkson's.

Jeremy Clarkson....best thing he did for Top Gear was to disappear 

I don't understand why the media use the hack political journalists to cover the Coronavirus press conferences. Surely involving their science or medical correspondents would result in more sensible, intelligent questions from which we might actually learn something, rather than the 'gotcha' type questions from Peston, Rigby, Boulton, Kunnsberg et al?

One that gets me is when there's dozens of cameras around some politician etc. & some total muppet with a mike shouts across the street, 'are you going to resign now Mr xxxx'??  

What do they expect back, something like 'yeah, OK, i'll do that'.

Who employs these amateurs??

The word "Amazing" !!!!

used these days to cover everything from, singing, crafts, cakes, pottery, dress making. Oh yes I see TV speak. They even go on too score differently between these amazing feats !!!

what ever happened to all the discriptions leading up to "Amazing" ?
from,

average
ok
nice
good
great
very good
excellent
brilliant 
extraordinary 
fantastic
etc
etc
etc

Guy Martin said,
" when I witness a man eat his own head I'll say that's amazing"

well, " moving forward" I will have to " absolutely " say the word SO was not on my radar " like"

Hi

Gromit wrote:Don't answer that!  

Ohh “so” tempting!  

Roopert wrote:So... you've only just noticed?

The "So...." phenomenon started about 5 years ago.

I must have missed it as well, I first noticed it a year or so ago and I think I shouted something inappropriate at the telly (I do that).  It must have sensitised me ears though, because  I seem to hear it all the time now.

While we’re on the subject another thing that annoys me out of all proportion to the sin is “for  free”. You can’t get anything “for free” I can’t give you a free - it doesn’t make sense. I’ll accept “for nothing” (I can give you nothing) or free of charge, which is what they mean - or even just   “free” on the understanding that it’s lazy but short for “free of charge” but not  “for free”.

Oh and while we're at it what’s all this about “2 times less”? Another meaningless phrase. What happened to “half” (what I assume they are trying to say).

As for

rogerblack wrote:I don't understand why the media use the hack political journalists to cover the Coronavirus press conferences.

Probably because the people who decide who covers what are journalists themselves and just as clue less. Don’t get me started on journalists in general. Put it this way, I ever get on Room 101 (OK unlikely)   my submission will be “journalists”.

and you thought you were grumpy Gromers!

Right I’m of now before me blood pressure gets too high.  

Brod.

I am clearly in the minority with regard to Peston and Clarkson, I will just shut up!
"So" doesn't bother me but the expression "smashed it" really does

My wife threw a slipper at the TV the other night when the camera panned across an empty road to show a huge matrix police sign saying LAKES IS CLOSED.

Al.

bikeralw wrote:My wife threw a slipper at the TV the other night when the camera panned across an empty road to show a huge matrix police sign saying LAKES IS CLOSED.

Al.

My wife screamed at that one also.

My hearing is very poor and I need to know someone is talking before I move my brain into ultra listening mode, so for me, the introductory 'So' is a god send.

I share many of the views about reporters expressed earlier in this thread, but for the last three weeks and the foreseeable future have completely stopped viewing and listening to news and current affairs programs as whether, government, scientist or reporter, all you get are people full of their own self importance and none of them can contribute one jot to improving my current life.

brodco wrote:Oh and while we're at it what’s all this about “2 times less”? Another meaningless phrase. What happened to “half” (what I assume they are trying to say).

Brod.

And  "two times as much" , what happened to "twice" .

This is a great thread. What’s the collective noun for a collection of grumpy MoHo owners?.....

Hi

Bobskate wrote:This is a great thread. What’s the collective noun for a collection of grumpy MoHo owners?.....

How about simply "a grump"?

Brod

Paulmold wrote:

bikeralw wrote:My wife threw a slipper at the TV the other night when the camera panned across an empty road to show a huge matrix police sign saying LAKES IS CLOSED.

Al.

My wife screamed at that one also.

But is that incorrect? I speak as a total pedant here! 

If it refers to individual lakes, then of course it's wrong, but if it refers to the Lake District, although it sounds wrong, it is in fact correct. There's only one district, and it's shut!!


While we're here, the misuse of "I" and "me" is another festering irritation.

For example, I might say, "Happy birthday from Sian and I" which is WRONG!!!! (The Two Ronnies spent their whole careers unsuccessfully trying to educate viewers about this one! )

It's so easy to check which is correct. If Sian was not included in the greeting, would you say, "Happy birthday from I"?


"He was waiting for John and me" may sound strange (to some?) but it is obviously quite correct.

If John was not with you, would you say, "He was waiting for I"?

Here endeth the lesson for today! 

Going back to Bible times is it correct to say 'the wages of sin is death' ? Wages is plural so should it be 'the wages of sin are death'? But is a man's pay his wage or wages? Oh the English language must be so easy for a foreigner to learn - not!

Hi  

Gromit wrote:
Here endeth the lesson for today!  

Doubt it - not if I know this forum.  

Are you suggesting that Her Majesty is wrong to refer to “my husband and I”?

Looks like it’s off to the tower for you.  

Brod

Depends on the context Brod. 

Apply the patent test . . . . If "my husband" was off riding on his stagecoach, would she say "I" or "We" or "One"?

Don't forget that one - the Royal "We". 


Paul. Settle just one problem with the English language. What is the plural of "Cock-up"?

Please be discrete , and don't start your reply with, "So . . . . ". 

I agree with your opening sentiments (not that you are getting grumpier, is that even possible  ) about the use of the word so. So much so that......

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t17623p75-why-can-t-we-talk-english#162341

No, still wrong, if it sounds wrong it is.
Why didn't the sign say LAKE DISTRICT IS CLOSED if that's what they meant.
Maybe they ran out of pixels...
Al.

Sheesh, is the Lake District closed 

Paulmold wrote:

brodco wrote:Oh and while we're at it what’s all this about “2 times less”? Another meaningless phrase. What happened to “half” (what I assume they are trying to say).

Brod.

And  "two times as much" , what happened to "twice" .

I dont like shouting.

Micky

mikethebike wrote:

Paulmold wrote:

brodco wrote:Oh and while we're at it what’s all this about “2 times less”? Another meaningless phrase. What happened to “half” (what I assume they are trying to say).

Brod.

And  "two times as much" , what happened to "twice" .

I dont like shouting.

Micky

Brodco didn't shout, I have no idea why the type went large when I copied the quote but it wasn't in capitals so technically not shouting.