dunroving

OK, just like the two USA Forum threads, this is the Ying to the other (words/expressions you DO like) thread's Yang.

An expression I saw creep into British English while I was away is the word "gutted". I really dislike it, when it is used to describe a situation in which you were merely "disappointed".

To me, gutted means eviscerated, your intestines were removed. It's a symptom (IMO) of the way in modern British culture, it seems more acceptable to react over the top to things (reflective in doom and gloom news headlines, the popularity of mis lit, and programs like East Enders where everyone seems to get angry about everything). Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it.

BristolUK

How long were you away? I don't think it's that new.

I'm sure Gutted has been in use for at least 30 years.

"At the minute" is one I don't like.

dunroving

30 years is about how long it is since I first left the UK (1983). I don't recall ever hearing it used before then.

Mallory

I don't like gutted or gobsmacked - they both turn my stomach.

Jane_says

"Bung it in there" learnt from my Romford-raised Mum!

Innocent to me, but my US Son and Spouse would make big noises
when I used it over any other expression.

What gets me every time is "at the end of the day"
It's always some supercilious middle manager with a nasal voice
trying to sound like they actually think.

quoll

Innit - usually vaguely placed somewhere in a sentence, often at the end.

Derrygal

I've never heard the word "gutted" used in the UK ever - must be a new one.

BristolUK

And sometimes the beginning.

I was curious, so I did some googling. I found this from a blog by an American commenting on different language use.

Pomster

literally- as in 'I literally died laughing' .

Gay- I loathe 'it's so gay' - used by the yoof to mean pathetic.It seems pretty insulting.

And currently my number one hated expression is courtesy of Transport for London ' A good service is operating on all lines' which means ....except the one you want to use.

reeni

It is big in our area in kids, teens and adults alike!

I first started hearing when I got here in 2000.

reeni

or it is the whole sentence!!

Jane_says

yeahbutnobutyeahbutnoitwasthatslagdeirdewhowozdown erelasnight!

quoll

I think it must be the prerogative of aspirational migrants, they seem to be gutted at every little hiccup that gets in the way of their visa progress. I'd not heard it before lurching onto this board and, I agree, it is way OTT

RChappo

I don't think it's purely a Brit thing but I've heard a few Brits say it and it sounds awful. When people pronounce the work 'ask' incorrectly and it sounds something like "arrxed" or "arghhst"...I can't even begin to try and spell it but it's some kind of street way of saying it. It's willfully wrong and I just want to slap anyone who talks like that, but because I'm quite a nice guy I just smile and nod and then come on here and rant about it!

dunroving

"axed" (asked), "nucular" (nuclear), and other lazy pronunciations of English are just a sign of the times. It's not uncommon to hear TV presenters mis-pronounce all kinds of words these days. It's embarrassing that many Europeans speak English better (more clearly, technically more correct) than we do.

Ah well, it will give me something to complain about in my old age.