The most annoying expressions...

I also hate the word 'petite'.  Just the sound of it... pe-teet.
FGS, just say you're small, or short, or whatever you are, but... that word grates.  Always has done.

I also hate the word 'petite'.  Just the sound of it... pe-teet.
FGS, just say you're small, or short, or whatever you are, but... that word grates.  Always has done.

ME TOO!!! 

ME TOO!!! 

Me three!  I always envision a prim little girl with blonde ringlets and petticoats when I see/hear the word.

Me three!  I always envision a prim little girl with blonde ringlets and petticoats when I see/hear the word.

Now I'm seeing Nellie Olsen!!

Now I'm seeing Nellie Olsen!!

Exactly!

dunno... Nellie Olson was a bit big, compared to the other girls, wasnt she?

dunno... Nellie Olson was a bit big, compared to the other girls, wasnt she?

Yep, was just thinking this!!  I think of an old lady when I hear 'petite'.  Probably that's because most petite clothes sections look like they only cater to the 50 years of age and up. 

dunno... Nellie Olson was a bit big, compared to the other girls, wasnt she?

Okay, to be fair, not exactly Nellie Olson, but that sort of look.

TBH, i dont get any particular image in my mind... i just hate the word and the way it sounds and the way it's used.

Blimey a yank in Plymouth!  How on earth did you end up there?  It is where I am from in the UK.  In fact I am heading over there for my annual 2 week hols later this month.  My missus (also from Plymouth) and 3 year old are already over there enjoying their hols.

How long have you been in Plymouth?  How do you like Devon (I love it myself - one of the most beautiful parts of the UK in my opinion)?  Have you visited the Mayflower steps yet?

I've lived in Plymouth two years this month!  I met my husband on the internet, had a long distance romance for almost 7 years, then moved here and got married in.

I love Devon, its beautiful.  I love the moors, the ponies, the sheep, the cows, Pasties, Caramel Digestives, Caramel shortbreads, the bells ringing from St. Mary's church in Tamerton Foliot, the narrow country roads, the looks of the hills when you are coming over a rise when the sky is blue! It takes your breath away. Have I made you home sick yet? 

My husband does a good job of taking me to see things here, plus I've had family from home twice, so that helps with the sight seeing.  I've been to the Mayflower steps, the Mayflower museum, the museum in town, the Barbican, the Hoe (once at Thanksgiving), Mount Edgecombe and Drake's house (both have great gardens), Buckfast Abbey, Tavistock, Totnes, Shaugh Prior (my favorite)...  Devon is absolutely beautiful!  Every time my husband and I are on the Barbican we go to Capt'n Jasper's for at least a cup of tea, their coffee is horrible  

I like Plymouth.  The people are friendly and kind.  Everyone I have met has made me feel welcomed. 

Where in the States do you live and how did you end up there? 

S-Yank

I also hate the word 'petite'.  Just the sound of it... pe-teet.
FGS, just say you're small, or short, or whatever you are, but... that word grates.  Always has done.

It always makes me think of the theme song from The Addams Family:

Their house is a museum
Where people come to see 'em
They really are a scream
The Addams Family.
Neat
Sweet
Petite...

I say couldn't be asked.  It's like my pg version for my parents. 

I also say no problem.   

Not really an expression, but my pet peeve is when people use bigger words to say something, when smaller ones might do better.  It just feels like the person is showing off to me. 

I agree.  Like saying "utilize" (or is it "utilise" here in UK?  urgh...alternate spellings!) instead of just saying "use."  Darn high-falootin' words!  lol...

I may be repeating here, as I haven't had the nerve to read 16 pages of posts, but one that really grates on my nerves is obviously, especially when what is being referred to is not obvious.

Aother one is "taking" a decision. To me this implies that someone has had to choose between options rather than making up their own mind. I make decisions. Word. Even when I choose between options.

Where in the States do you live and how did you end up there? 

I am in the SF Bay Area and have been here for 14 years now - 1 year of that was spent in Detroit, MI.

My brother moved to Detroit many years ago, and I got my first visit to the US to see him as a graduation present after college.  I fell in love with the country during my visit (I didn't know Detroit's reputation at the time) and vowed that if ever a work opportunity came up, I would jump on it.

Five years later I applied for a job with a small American computer consulting company in SF and got the job.  The company was run by 2 Ozzies and they specialised in bringing over Ozzies, Brits and Europeans.

This was before the days of the internet - little did I know the SF Bay Area was one of the most expensive places in the US.  If I had known, I may well have never taken the job.  But that would have been a bad choice in retrospect.

I left my girlfriend (now my wife) behind in Plymouth and we had a long distance relationship for 2 years.  We got married in Plymouth and then she moved out here with me.

Originally I was only going to come to the US for a couple of years to see how it went - and I am still here 14 years later.

I do miss the UK (and especially Devon) though.  All the things you so eloquently described.  Plus the footy, pubs, family, friends, the ability to stroll in the open countryside (no way you can do that over here unless you visit a state park).

I love the coffee at Capn' Jaspers - but I always have liked coffee made with hot milk, long before lattes became the rage.

aahhh Right!!     
what??  I still dn' get that one and  how to respond  etc.. I feel it is used  a  lot  for various situations