The most annoying expressions...

Who says "20 cent"?

Who says "20 cent"?

When I worked at a mall kiosk (lottery/convenience store kind of place), I was amazed at the number of times I heard people say 10, 20, 30, (and so on) cent. I didn't know them personally, but I did witness this A LOT. What would happen was they would be short the change for the items they were paying for and they'd ask their shopping partner for 20 cent (or whatever) instead of 20 cents. They would say things like "you got 20 cent" or "I need 20 cent."  I'm not sure how I would categorize this sect of people though. It was more an attitude than anything else.

I don't blame you for asking because who would really say that? It happens though. I promise you. It used to really irk me because surely it doesn't take that much more effort to say "cents" instead of "cent."

Surely you've heard of the rapper 50 Cent? His name comes from the colloquialism in certain communities of missing out the s at the end of plural cents. It's a similar colloquialism with pounds. I don't know if it comes from the usage of quid. Generally you would say, '50 quid' rather than '50 quids', so it could be a similar usage.

Surely you've heard of the rapper 50 Cent? His name comes from the colloquialism in certain communities of missing out the s at the end of plural cents. It's a similar colloquialism with pounds. I don't know if it comes from the usage of quid. Generally you would say, '50 quid' rather than '50 quids', so it could be a similar usage.

I was going to mention 50 Cent as well, though being a particularly unworldly shade of white, I always assumed it was a reference to the coin, 50-cent piece.

I think "quid" is an unequal argument because, like "hair", it is its own plural, isn't it?

I was going to mention 50 Cent as well, though being a particularly unworldly shade of white, I always assumed it was a reference to the coin, 50-cent piece.

I always just assumed it was one guy trying to sound cool.  Who would take a man seriously if he was called 50 cents?  No amount of bullet holes in one's body would make that work.

I always just assumed it was one guy trying to sound cool.  Who would take a man seriously if he was called 50 cents?  No amount of bullet holes in one's body would make that work.

 

I always just assumed it was one guy trying to sound cool.  Who would take a man seriously if he was called 50 cents?  No amount of bullet holes in one's body would make that work.

This is true. 

I've never heard it for money, but I have heard a lot of people in the UK say 'three week' or however many the number might be, instead of weeks. I never quite understood that.

I'm not saying it's a correct equivalence, just that it might be where people get it. Colloquialisms don't necessarily have a logical basis!

Taking the piss. Just leave it at taking the mick please.

Taking the piss. Just leave it at taking the mick please.

I think thought that there is a difference between "Taking the Mick/Piss" thing though. (At least my husband says there is in our area.) He says "Taking the mick" is more of a light joking or fool hardy kind of thing, whereas "Taking the piss" is where the person is being more malicious with their intentions...Beyond joking I mean...I could be wrong, but that's what I've been told anyways.

I have a coworker that's always saying "Dicky-Do!" That cracks me up!

I think thought that there is a difference between "Taking the Mick/Piss" thing though. (At least my husband says there is in our area.) He says "Taking the mick" is more of a light joking or fool hardy kind of thing, whereas "Taking the piss" is where the person is being more malicious with their intentions...Beyond joking I mean...I could be wrong, but that's what I've been told anyways.

I have a coworker that's always saying "Dicky-Do!" That cracks me up!

That's how I've always understood it as well. You've made me think of another expression I hate. "Tickety Boo." Ugh.

That's how I've always understood it as well. You've made me think of another expression I hate. "Tickety Boo." Ugh.

I haven't heard "Tickety Boo" yet, but I laugh because he'll get all flustered and say something like: "Well Dicky-Doo!" In almost the same manner as Chris Farley's "Well La-De-FRICK'N-DA!!!" Haha!

Amazeballs.

Just .... don't.

Amazeballs.

Just .... don't.

Thank you.  I see this more and more often on my Facebook wall and am "this" close to de-friending simply for the use of this word.