The most annoying expressions...

"Ta" makes me crazy. 

The reason I hate Ta is because whenever I do something for my wife she'll say Thanks or Thank You, unless she's annoyed with me. Then she'll say Ta. So Ta to me is a way of saying Thanks when you don't mean it 

I'm really starting to hate "Hey!" as a greeting. I guess it's a southern thing but this isn't Mayberry.

When I was on the phone with my brother, who is in the US, he commented that I kept saying "Yeah?" after he spoke. Is that a British thing that I've picked up?

I hate ta. It takes just as long to say thanks. It's like text speak, but worse.

When I was on the phone with my brother, who is in the US, he commented that I kept saying "Yeah?" after he spoke. Is that a British thing that I've picked up?

I hate ta. It takes just as long to say thanks. It's like text speak, but worse.

In defence of "ta" for thank you, it is ancient.  The Oxford English dictionary has an example of its use in print in 1772.. so it is reasonable to suppose it was commonly used in informal speech at that time or earlier.  The English novelist Israel Zangwill uses it in his 1892 novel Children of the Ghetto; "Give it me. I'll say ‘ta’ so nicely."

I must admit I use "ta" all the time, have done all my life.  (In America, I would only use it at home or among people who know me...)  I think it is nice to have a distinction between formal and informal speech, and ta for "thank you" does that nicely.

I must admit I use "ta" all the time, have done all my life.  (In America, I would only use it at home or among people who know me...)  I think it is nice to have a distinction between formal and informal speech, and ta for "thank you" does that nicely.

I agree.
What irks me is crossword clues (US) where they mess with Britishisms. Like "ta ta" (not "ta ra") is the answer to "Farewell in London". The latest was "British toast", the answer to which was "cheerio" 

The latest was "British toast", the answer to which was "cheerio" 

I thought you were going to say the answer was "English Muffin" .. that well known UK bakery item 

I'm really starting to hate "Hey!" as a greeting. I guess it's a southern thing but this isn't Mayberry.

I often say "hey" because I've lived in Scandinavia, and it's their version of "hi".   Every one of their countries has a version.  Yeah, yeah, it's not Scandinavia either, but at least I never say "hei hei" anymore.  I sort of like the friendliness of it.

I often say "hey" because I've lived in Scandinavia, and it's their version of "hi".   Every one of their countries has a version.  Yeah, yeah, it's not Scandinavia either, but at least I never say "hei hei" anymore.  I sort of like the friendliness of it.

I'd buy that.  I love the Swedish Wallander and it always sounds like they are saying hey when they are saying hej (which I think is informal like hi?). 

I also say Ta, but usually only to the bus driver or someone behind the till in a store.  I think because those are the only two contexts I have heard dh use it. 

  I think it is nice to have a distinction between formal and informal speech, and ta for "thank you" does that nicely.

Surely 'thanks' is the more universally understood informal version?

Surely 'thanks' is the more universally understood informal version?

Yup, thanks is fine.  I haven't used "ta muchly" for several years but that used to be a popular one.  Then there's "Ta everso." And "cheers."

"Why break a habit of a lifetime?"

Not sure why it bothers me, but it does.  Maybe it's the undertone to it.

"There's something going around", said when someone is ill.

"Why break a habit of a lifetime?"

Not sure why it bothers me, but it does.  Maybe it's the undertone to it.

Hmm.  Never heard that one.

I can't stand "you what?"  I think it's a northern or at least a Leeds area thing.  If someone doesn't quite hear what you've said, they say it.  Even if it doesn't make sense within the context of what was said.  I could have said, "Goodness the weather is gorgeous today!"  or "I can't wait until the weekend!"  or "I'd like to try these items on, please."   

[quote author=Andee link=topic=45192.msg957221#msg957221 date=1301036025

I can't stand "you what?"  I think it's a northern or at least a Leeds area thing.  If someone doesn't quite hear what you've said, they say it.  Even if it doesn't make sense within the context of what was said.  I could have said, "Goodness the weather is gorgeous today!"  or "I can't wait until the weekend!"  or "I'd like to try these items on, please."   
[/quote]
Oh I do that one a lot with my son. I think we hang on to local Leeds-isms for old time's sake.  That and "... as you do" [e.g. "I decided to throw that old thing away" "As you do"]

Hmm.  Never heard that one.

I can't stand "you what?"  I think it's a northern or at least a Leeds area thing.  If someone doesn't quite hear what you've said, they say it.  Even if it doesn't make sense within the context of what was said.  I could have said, "Goodness the weather is gorgeous today!"  or "I can't wait until the weekend!"  or "I'd like to try these items on, please."   

No I do not think that is specifically Northern.  Possibly it was originally Northern but became universal in the post-war era?
I'm from Kent/London and I've always said that.. I regret to say that even after living in New York State for 20 years I still say it.. for instance at the library reference desk;
STUDENT: "Do you have the Statistical Abstract of the United States?"
ME (HEAD BURIED IN BOOK): "You what..??"