Little Pet Peeves

[NEDESAPIO]

As long as we're on the subject of grammatical pet peeves, I cannot STAND the expression "24/7"!!! To me it's a reminder that our modern culture is just overkill and "go-go-go."

I also feel like protesting whenever I see a split infinitive in print.  "To curiously explore"..."To powerfully oppose...." No, no!  "To explore curiously" or "To oppose powerfully"!!!

[HogwartsAlum]

My Mom taught me a cute trick for wrapping pictures, books or paper items.  I wrap the item in plastic (saran wrap) wrap first, then gift wrap it.  That way no tape or sticker has to go on the item itself, but on the plastic wrap.    That new press and seal plastic wrap is great for this as it will seal itself without damaging the item.

Oh that is a fantastic idea!!!

[NEDESAPIO]

People who say "I could care less". No, you COULDN'T, COULDN'T care less!  If you could care less, then you still are concerned and have a lotmore caring to go.  If you honestly aren't bothered than you "couldn't".

For years I puzzled over the subject of what people could possibly mean by "I could care less"; it's always annoyed me, too.  I think what they mean that the thing they're talking about is so unimportant to them that they have plenty of room to care less about it...I agree that the meaning of "I couldn't care less" is much less obscure.

[NEDESAPIO]

Actually, I always put too much tape on presents -- I'm really bad at wrapping things.

My biggest "small" pet peeves are 1.) Adults who "gush" over children (see my post under "Time for a Coffee Break") and 2.) slovenliness in grooming and dress.  Being well-groomed has nothing to do with having money; it's just a question of keeping yourself clean and knowing what type of clothing flatters you. 

[Slartibartfast]

1)  Calling something "g@y" to mean "I don't like it"
2)  Calling something "Retarded" as a synonym for "g@y" when I tell them to knock it off
3)  The kids who axe me to borrow them a liberry book.  Yes, I have gotten all three of those in one sentence.
4)  My DH's grandmother, who says "PO-leece" and "SEE-ment" and other atrocities against the English language.  My FIL does this sometimes too, and I have a very hard time not giggling.  That's what you get when you live in rural Kentucky for 75 years, I guess, but it makes me cringe every time.
5)  People who disguise raisins or carob chip cookies as normal chocolate chip cookies, then try to pass them off at a holiday gathering.  We can TELL the difference, people, but not before we bite into it and get a mouth full of raisin!  Yuck.

[Gemini]

Hey, can I chime in?

I have way too many pet peeves to mention here, but one that's been bugging me a LOT (or is that alot?) is the widespread tendency to use quotation marks in a very curious manner:
We're having a "sale"! 
Good "bargains" and honest "prices"!
This "store" is open late for your "convenience"!
Our doctors are "board-certified".
Happy "Holidays"!

Also, I have had my fill of parents who drag their young ones to places and events which are obviously not appropriate for children. The little dumplings won't be scarred for life if left with a babysitter now and again... And the rest of us won't be scarred if allowed to enjoy our "cocktails" in "peace".

[Clara Bow]

People who say "a.m." followed by "in the morning", as in "I woke up at seven a.m in the morning". Redundant much??
I also foam at the mouth when people refer to their signature as their "John Henry". John Henry was a steel driving man, you twit! If you're putting your John Henry on something I think you're nailing it down with a railroad spike!
It's JOHN HANCOCK!!!!!!

[andi]

5)  People who disguise raisins or carob chip cookies as normal chocolate chip cookies, then try to pass them off at a holiday gathering.  We can TELL the difference, people, but not before we bite into it and get a mouth full of raisin!  Yuck.

YES YES YES!!!  carob is NOT chocolate!!! 

[Suze]

5)  People who disguise raisins or carob chip cookies as normal chocolate chip cookies, then try to pass them off at a holiday gathering.  We can TELL the difference, people, but not before we bite into it and get a mouth full of raisin!  Yuck.

YES YES YES!!!  carob is NOT chocolate!!! 

HEY - I LIKE carob.  But I do agree that it does NOT "taste just like chocolate"  (I HATE people who keep saying that, It does NOT)

and raisins belong in oatmeal cookies - not chocolate chip cookies.

[kareng57]

I'm not sure if there is an etiquette rule connected to this, but I get peevish when people use excessive tape on wrapped gifts.  It particularly annoys me when that starts with taping the paper to the item itself.  This makes the gift harder to unwrap and if the item isn't shrink-wrapped, the tape can ruin it.  This happened with two items I received from my best friend this year.

What are your minor-league pet peeves?

"Orientated"!

Quite a few times I've heard this term in casual conversation, when what they really mean is "oriented".  But just a couple of days ago I saw it on a billboard - advertising a new townhouse development that would be "adult orientated".  Grrr...

[sweedetobee]

I'm not sure if there is an etiquette rule connected to this, but I get peevish when people use excessive tape on wrapped gifts.  It particularly annoys me when that starts with taping the paper to the item itself.  This makes the gift harder to unwrap and if the item isn't shrink-wrapped, the tape can ruin it.  This happened with two items I received from my best friend this year.

What are your minor-league pet peeves?

"Orientated"!

Quite a few times I've heard this term in casual conversation, when what they really mean is "oriented".  But just a couple of days ago I saw it on a billboard - advertising a new townhouse development that would be "adult orientated".  Grrr...

Your post made me think of another one. Now I'm not Asian but this really bothers me! I hate when people refer to another person as Oriental. To me a rug is Oriental, a person is Asian. I know it used to be called the Orient.. but still...  This one really just might be my opinion and I might even be wrong but it annoys me.

[NEDESAPIO]

3)  ...a liberry book.

There's another word like that:  "February"..."Feb-RU-ary," that is.  Hardly anyone pronounces this word the way it's spelled.  It's hard, I admit, but it can be done.

[Lisbeth]

I absolutely hate:
1) "alright" - It is two words - all right. 
2) The & symbol used outside of a proper name.  In text, it should always be spelled out.  I loathe it when it isn't.

[Crazy TKD_girl]

I'm not sure if there is an etiquette rule connected to this, but I get peevish when people use excessive tape on wrapped gifts.  It particularly annoys me when that starts with taping the paper to the item itself.  This makes the gift harder to unwrap and if the item isn't shrink-wrapped, the tape can ruin it.  This happened with two items I received from my best friend this year.

What are your minor-league pet peeves?

"Orientated"!

Quite a few times I've heard this term in casual conversation, when what they really mean is "oriented".  But just a couple of days ago I saw it on a billboard - advertising a new townhouse development that would be "adult orientated".  Grrr...

Your post made me think of another one. Now I'm not Asian but this really bothers me! I hate when people refer to another person as Oriental. To me a rug is Oriental, a person is Asian. I know it used to be called the Orient.. but still...  This one really just might be my opinion and I might even be wrong but it annoys me.

I hate that, too. I always have to correct my mom & aunt about that. And, I doubt they get the fact that Asian people prefer being called Asian over Oriental!
Other things I hate:
 --people that smoke RIGHT at the door. While I think it's disgusting, and would love if smoking was outlawed in public permanently, it's YOUR decision-but do you have to stand at the door to smoke?
 --people that treat me like I'm stupid and don't know what I'm talking about. I know I look younger than I am, but I have a brain. AND, while I'm not an  expert on everything,  I DO know stuff.
 --people saying 'same difference'. It can't be both, people. It's either the same, or it's different. Pick one.

[bibbety]

When people say something like "My grandma left me a momento."


It's MEMENTO darn it! Momento is a spanish word.