General Etiquette > Life...in general

Use of the word "but".....

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purchgdss:
I have a pet peeve I'd like to share and see what others think.  My peeve is the word "but".  The usage of this as part of a statement usually negates the preceeding.  For example, "I'm sorry, but...." or "I don't mean to be ugly, but...."

To me, this just says you are the opposite of what you started out with or that you are insincere and waves red flags.

Anyone else?

TZ:
I have to agree that the word "but" can be annoying in the examples you have given.  However (not but :)), there are some perfectly legitimate contexts in which the word has no negative meaning.  For instance, I might say, "I normally love to eat ice cream, but I'm too full to enjoy it right now."

Buffy2424:
I like the word 'but.'  But I don't think I use it like that!

It just feels less formal and more conversational than saying "However..." 

Lisbeth:
I agree that if the word "but" is used as a lead-in to make a snide or critical comment after "I'm sorry" or a phrase of that nature, it's really annoying.

If it's being used more generically, as in, "She wanted to go out, but it was raining," it's not rude or annoying, just factual.

Lunadiana75:
The ever classic "Well, I'm not a racist BUT, *insert horrible slur/stereotype here".  Head, meet wall.

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