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Fantastic and other superlatives?

(87 Posts)
Nonnie Tue 09-Jan-18 12:19:28

Just been on livechat with my mobile phone provider. They asked for 2 digits from my PIN which I gave and the response was "Fantastic!" I was so tempted to give them the dictionary definition of the word but restrained myself.

Does anyone else get irritated by the overuse of superlatives? What is left when such words are used randomly instead of kept for appropriate use?

Won't go into the rest of the rubbish I went through before sorting out our new contract!

paddyann Tue 09-Jan-18 12:25:59

"Stunning" every photograph on FB is stunning...be it a mediocre landscape or a picture of someone with their friends ..everybody is stunning looking ,every piece of grass ...

NanaandGrampy Tue 09-Jan-18 12:33:57

Had to laugh at that Paddyann so true...and on the crafting pages every make is 'gawgus' even those you wouldn't give house room too and have been made by someone blindfolded with both hands tied behind their back !! LOL

ninathenana Tue 09-Jan-18 12:41:20

DD is guilty of replying 'fantastic' when on the phone to companies.
Very annoying.

BBbevan Tue 09-Jan-18 12:41:51

WOW and Amazing. Over used and now very very boring

Jane10 Tue 09-Jan-18 12:51:49

Awesome! Gets my goatangry

Marmight Tue 09-Jan-18 13:02:48

Awesome is one of my

Marmight Tue 09-Jan-18 13:05:55

Oops! Lying in bed and dropped the phone blush
Awesome I loathe. I have a DD who says 'wicked' a lot which really annoys me.

Iam64 Tue 09-Jan-18 13:18:53

Pollyanna here - isn't it more pleasant to hear the overuse of praise and superlatives to moaning, critical, whingeing or verbally abusive responses smile

Nonnie Tue 09-Jan-18 13:54:17

Iam64 I don't think that is a reason for using superlatives willy-nilly. Any company using livechat would soon lose business if it used such responses!

I simply want to be treated like an adult when using such services, simple, correct English and to feel that they actually read what I write and take it in rather than just regurgitating whatever is on their list of 20 answers whatever the question.

Jalima1108 Tue 09-Jan-18 14:07:47

The nice young girl at the opticians yesterday kept saying 'wonderful', 'fantastic' every time I answered a question; even when she asked if I had a parent who had glaucoma and I answered 'Yes' she said 'Fantastic'.
hmm

ffinnochio Tue 09-Jan-18 14:12:42

Awesome response, Iam64 ?

Jalima1108 Tue 09-Jan-18 14:16:00

grin

henetha Tue 09-Jan-18 14:18:47

Wow! I love superlatives. They are fantastic and brilliant and at least are cheerful. Great! Awesome!!

Baggs Tue 09-Jan-18 14:22:25

I expect that being a livechatter for a mobile phone provider is a killingly boring job. Chucking in a few superlatives might just keep the spirits up in an "I can't stay cheerful naturally doing this crap so let's do pretend cheerful. Tan-tan-ta-ra!" sense.

What would be the alternatives, the 'correct' response? "mmhm", "yes", "right".

Maybe also, using hyperdiction keeps the miserable buggers they're speaking to cheerful too.

Lynnebo Tue 09-Jan-18 14:27:51

I use 'fabulous' way more than I should. I imagine it can be annoying but I like it! wink grin

Jalima1108 Tue 09-Jan-18 14:31:36

Fab - U - lous Darling!

eazybee Tue 09-Jan-18 14:32:58

Incredible and excellent; both very overused.
Also: cool.

Esspee Tue 09-Jan-18 14:33:12

Meaningless superlatives bug me too but what irritates me more is unprofessional terms of endearment.
I was called "my lovely" on a business call today by someone probably young enough to be my granddaughter.
"Darling" "sweetheart" "love" "dear" are also commonly used. I wonder if men are treated in such a way?

Lynnebo Tue 09-Jan-18 14:34:27

Lols Jalima - I wish there was a like button smile

Jane10 Tue 09-Jan-18 14:43:55

My DH dislikes 'no problem' in response to almost anything. He sometimes contradicts whoever says it and points out that it is in fact a problem and why! He has 2 moods: OK and furious!

Nonnie Tue 09-Jan-18 16:46:21

Kindred spirit with your DH Jane10, I feel the same and often want to retaliate, admire him for doing so. My DH is the same, fine or completely lost it!

mollie Tue 09-Jan-18 17:10:52

I’m guilty of describing everything as ‘lovely’ which often becomes ‘lively’ thanks to predictive text (grr!) I must make an effort to use something else sometimes.

I hate ‘absolutely’ as an answer, particularly if a simple yes would do instead. And I agree about the ‘no probs/problem’ reply, particularly if its in answer to me thanking them! A nice ‘you’re welcome ‘ would be much nicer!!

Menopaws Tue 09-Jan-18 17:29:13

Amazing

Barmeyoldbat Wed 10-Jan-18 08:42:00

Darlings, the posts has been fantastic and amazing and I hope you all go on to have a great day . Take care guys ?