Phrases that annoy you the most
Discussion
The use of ‘taxes’ instead of ‘tax’.
If you’re referring specifically to an array of different taxes, e.g income tax, VAT etc. it’s fine.
But the creeping use of phrases like “I pay my taxes”, “the government plans to raise taxes” etc. irks me. It’s another unwelcome Americanisation.
“I pay tax” would suffice.
If you’re referring specifically to an array of different taxes, e.g income tax, VAT etc. it’s fine.
But the creeping use of phrases like “I pay my taxes”, “the government plans to raise taxes” etc. irks me. It’s another unwelcome Americanisation.
“I pay tax” would suffice.
Paul Dishman said:
hidetheelephants said:
Strangely Brown said:
"Good job". Usually intonated as "Good Jaaaaaaaab". An insidious americanism that is both patronising and condescending all at the same time and usually for something that was not "a job" at all.
What about "Proper Job", popularised IIRC by some bloke from the west country participating on Scrapyard Challenge?
https://youtu.be/2Qv0Z_-_udk?si=3GfqGy9KYD5Pszl2
Mr Creosote said:
The use of taxes instead of tax .
If you re referring specifically to an array of different taxes, e.g income tax, VAT etc. it s fine.
But the creeping use of phrases like I pay my taxes , the government plans to raise taxes etc. irks me. It s another unwelcome Americanisation.
I pay tax would suffice.
I disagree. Everyone pays tax, so "I pay tax" is a redundant statement. "I pay tax" doesn't convey the spirit of what the speaker is saying. If you work (legitimately) then you will almost certainly be paying at least two taxes; income tax and VAT.If you re referring specifically to an array of different taxes, e.g income tax, VAT etc. it s fine.
But the creeping use of phrases like I pay my taxes , the government plans to raise taxes etc. irks me. It s another unwelcome Americanisation.
I pay tax would suffice.
The spirit is "I'm contributing a large portion of my earnings to the state, and I feel aggrieved that the money is not being spent by the state in a way that I seem suitably beneficial, or that decisions are being made that I disagree with. I don't have some tax avoidance scheme in place, nor could I realistically have one because I am in that large zone above "cash in hand" but below "worth employing an accountant to fiddle things" levels".
When someone says "I pay my taxes" they're referring to the sum total of all taxes, licence fees, duties and contributions being paid to the state.
donkmeister said:
Mr Creosote said:
The use of taxes instead of tax .
If you re referring specifically to an array of different taxes, e.g income tax, VAT etc. it s fine.
But the creeping use of phrases like I pay my taxes , the government plans to raise taxes etc. irks me. It s another unwelcome Americanisation.
I pay tax would suffice.
I disagree. Everyone pays tax, so "I pay tax" is a redundant statement. "I pay tax" doesn't convey the spirit of what the speaker is saying. If you work (legitimately) then you will almost certainly be paying at least two taxes; income tax and VAT.If you re referring specifically to an array of different taxes, e.g income tax, VAT etc. it s fine.
But the creeping use of phrases like I pay my taxes , the government plans to raise taxes etc. irks me. It s another unwelcome Americanisation.
I pay tax would suffice.
The spirit is "I'm contributing a large portion of my earnings to the state, and I feel aggrieved that the money is not being spent by the state in a way that I seem suitably beneficial, or that decisions are being made that I disagree with. I don't have some tax avoidance scheme in place, nor could I realistically have one because I am in that large zone above "cash in hand" but below "worth employing an accountant to fiddle things" levels".
When someone says "I pay my taxes" they're referring to the sum total of all taxes, licence fees, duties and contributions being paid to the state.
Tom8 said:
Exactly this you pay more than one type of tax. I was wondering the other day what amount I do pay in tax in total, so income tax, NI, VAT, council tax, road tax, insurance tax etc etc. I reckon I would be about 70% of my income is taxed which is horrific.
Wasn't there a thing where you could see how much tax you paid as a percentage of a year, so it worked out that from your annual earnings it wasn't until something like August or September when the money you earned was actually yours, prior to that it was all tax? Antony Moxey said:
Tom8 said:
Exactly this you pay more than one type of tax. I was wondering the other day what amount I do pay in tax in total, so income tax, NI, VAT, council tax, road tax, insurance tax etc etc. I reckon I would be about 70% of my income is taxed which is horrific.
Wasn't there a thing where you could see how much tax you paid as a percentage of a year, so it worked out that from your annual earnings it wasn't until something like August or September when the money you earned was actually yours, prior to that it was all tax? On a similarly depressing theme but PH-centred, if you add up all the running costs of your cars, Vs your take home pay then that can be an eye opener. If you view cars as a hobby then it's an easier thing to come to terms with, but a young bloke I know who has one car, used only for commuting and domestic, works for three months of the year just to have a car to go to work in.
Michael_B said:
swisstoni said:
Use of the word 'incredulous' when 'incredible' is what the person actually means.
Similarly the majority of TV presenters/hosts appear to believe that the terms simplistic and naturalistic are just longer/posher versions of the words simple and natural.The phrase 'on a ........ basis'. It could be 'on a weekly basis', 'on a regular basis', ad infinitum. Practically always written, and rarely spoken.
I can't imagine someone saying "I have a w
k on a daily basis". just doesn't sound right. Whereas "I have a wk every day" sounds much more natural.
I think about this subject regularly, but not on a regular basis.
I can't imagine someone saying "I have a w
k on a daily basis". just doesn't sound right. Whereas "I have a wk every day" sounds much more natural.I think about this subject regularly, but not on a regular basis.
redrabbit29 said:
Mr Creosote said:
It s another unwelcome Americanisation
My GF continues to talk "American" to me and it drives me mad sometimes. Things she's said before:
- I'll just get a soda
- A to Zeeeeeee
- Airplane (both typed and she pronounces it like this)
I know this is going to sound curmudgeonly, but I hate "hello how are you?" from anyone other than someone who might remotely give a st, because they are a friend or relative.
I know that everyone else can't possibly care, and I struggle with a response. I usually blurt out a "fine thanks" but can't usually bring myself to join the dance by asking them how they are.
I'm a terrible person, but there we are.
t, because they are a friend or relative.I know that everyone else can't possibly care, and I struggle with a response. I usually blurt out a "fine thanks" but can't usually bring myself to join the dance by asking them how they are.
I'm a terrible person, but there we are.
Edited by swisstoni on Friday 1st May 18:05
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