Hey youse guys!
Fun, language August 14th, 2007
While talking with one of my colleagues yesterday, I slipped and used a phrase I hear all too often at work: "Sounds like a plan." I surprised myself that I even said it, given it’s on my list of stupid phrases to avoid. I should probably submit it to Lake Superior University’s Banished Words list and see if it makes the cut. The school accepts submissions for words deemed mis-used, over-used and just plain useless. View the whole cringe-worthy list here.
In my opinion, the 2007 list is a little weak. For instance, I see no particular violation in using the phrases "went missing" or "healthy food," but that’s just me. I do agree that "Ask your doctor" in pharmaceutical commercials makes little sense. What am I asking him for? Shouldn’t he be telling me what I need?
Other phrases that drive me (and my sister) nuts: moving forward (would you ever move backwards?), adds functionality (an unnecessary mouthful), grow your business (just doesn’t sound right) and I see what you’re saying (you don’t actually, unless you can lip-read).
My all-time least favorite word in the English language is youse, as in "Are youse guys taking Mary out to lunch for her birthday?" Well, it’s not a real word, and that’s precisely the point. I once worked alongside a woman who used that word ad nauseam. It didn’t help we work for a university, where one expects to find reasonably good use of the English language. She eventually took another job, and for all I know she’s still "yousing it" around a new crop of stunned co-workers.
What words or expressions drive you nuts?
Stumble it!
August 15th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Some phases that annoy me are:
Got milk? (The only reason you wouldn’t have it would be if you were lactousee intolerant)
Not sold in stores! (Actually, I’ve seen all the ‘not sold in stores products’ in stores. they just want you to pay more money for shipping and handling)
Duhhhh (This one just gets on my nerves)
I knew that! (No you didn’t. You were the one who was sitting around trying to figure it out)
And finally…
It’s not really a phrase, but that little light bulb who drives that bus that says the kids get an ‘A+ in style’. If it were up to me, they’d probably get a C- and an F- for that weird commercial.
August 19th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Another odd phrase is ‘Shake that money maker’
This frightens me because it’s just so….weird.
August 24th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Hey Kath,
Being from Philly this is hilarious! However, I have to say, I think you spelled “youse” wrong. Having seen it written by friends, I believe the South Philadelphians would spell it you’s, or yous…yes, they really do think this is correct…
August 24th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Well, I stand corrected. Sorta. Check out http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/youse. Hmm, Jason, did you just update the wiki Usage Notes? Sounds awfully suspicious 🙂
I still think it’s wrong to use. No dictionary I know says it’s a “real” word, but the ones I’ve checked will usually mention the word being regional to the Northeast, U.S. and among Irish speakers of English.
By the way, there are several spellings: you’s, you’se, yous, and youze. Thanks for making me look this up. What an education!
December 10th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I think of “youse” as the second-person plural nominative, like “y’all” and “vous.”
December 10th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
butter — It’s funny. A co-worker chastised me for saying that youse wasn’t a word. He’s from the Philadelphia area and says it’s regional and I should cut him some slack. I’ve softened up about it a bit!