What mispronounced popular expressions really "get your goat?" Expressions so mangled that they are either completely nonsensical and/or contradictory. Which ones particularly bother you? ("expresso vs.espresso", "mute point vs. moot point")
by 
Twila_Zoned
ANSWERS: 13
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I dont have an expression but a word. I hate it when people say libary (liberry) instead of library. It just sounds so improper and slumish!
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I think any of them that I notice are being used incorrectly tend to... I don't know how to put it correctly. It doesn't BOTHER me, but I notice it. And if it becomes a pattern I really, REALLY want to correct it. I have a co-worker who constantly uses phrases/says words incorrectly. Expresso, irregardless, flustrated... all of those words and many I have forgotten. She uses them all the time. Sometimes I think it's funny, and sometimes it gets really annoying.
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Not a popular expression, but certain words annoy me when they are obvious. For instance, RAD-iator instead of RAY-diator. It doesn't RAD-iate heat, it RAY-diates it. (Phonetically obviously, not spelling wise) I don't know, that one bugs the heck out of me.
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I had a friend who used to say "I know you like the back of a book." (mixed metaphore.)
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My mum used to say it was nice to be "home and hosed". The expression is "home and host". The idea of being at home and soaking wet is not my idea of being comfortable. LOL
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I'd have to say when people are talking about things they have no reguard for and say: "I could care less." When they mean I couldn't care less."
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I know it is regional, and that I am the outsider, but it drives me nuts when people say 'niney' instead of 'ninety' or 'on accident' instead of 'by accident'.
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Here's a few that will make me arch a brow at someone: "note a republic" (Notary Public) "case and point" instead of "case IN point" "for all intensive purposes" instead of "for all intents and purposes" and don't "axe" me a question...ASK me one instead
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I hate when people say "duck" tape instead of "duct" tape. I see the tape people just gave in and started calling it that now though....lol! I also can't stand when people say "jew-lery", it's supposed to be "jewelry".
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It bugs me when people say things like 'we will be disembarking momentarily' - when they mean we will *soon* be disembarking. It seems to be mostly an Americanism to use momentarily to mean 'in a moment'. As I understand it, the more traditional use (but fast being overpowered it seems) was to mean 'for a moment'. For example, in electronics, a momentary action push switch may be described as being momentarily open, or momentarily closed. This doesn't imply there is a delay before the action - it is talking about the duration of the event itself. When I hear 'we will be disembarking momentarily' I think.. hmm.. if we're only getting off for a moment..I'll just wait here! It was surprising(annoying!) to see momentarily used in the American way in one of the Harry Potter films.
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I always laugh at "orientated" instead of "oriented."
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"Re LAh ty" and "Re LAh tors," instead of "Realty" and "Realtors" ? +5
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Here are the speaking habits that make me cringe: People who say greet you with "Howya doin?" and really don't wait for an answer. Especially strangers just passing in a corridor or sidewalk, do they REALLY care? no. Why can't they just say Good morning/afternoon/evening/day? Failure to annunciate the "V" in "five." "They want 'Fie-dollars' for that widget" And here's the biggie, there are seven DAYS in a week, yet people can't seem to pronounce just one of them correctly; Mondee, Tuesdee, Wensdee, Thursdee, Fridee, Saddee, Sundee.
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