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12/19: Whatever! Still Oh SO Annoying
For the fifth straight year, Americans consider “whatever” to be the most annoying word or phrase in conversation today. 38% find “whatever” to be the most irritating while 22% report “like” gets on their nerves the most. “You know” irks 18% of Americans while 14% want to see “just sayin’” stricken from casual conversation. Six percent detest “obviously,” and 2% are unsure.
Click Here for Complete December 19, 2013 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables
There has been an increase in the proportion of residents who consider “whatever” to be the most annoying word. In last year’s survey, 32% thought “whatever” was the most abrasive. 21% said “like” was most irritating while 17% thought “you know” was an unnecessary choice of words. “Just sayin’” bothered 10% of Americans the most while “Twitterverse” — 9% — and “gotcha” — 5% — rounded out the list. Five percent were unsure.
Table: Most Annoying Conversational Word or Phrase
“Obamacare” Taboo Term for 2014
Looking ahead to 2014, which political word or phrase would Americans like to eliminate from the discussion? More than four in ten — 41% — do not want to hear “Obamacare.” There is also a strong aversion to Washington’s budget speak. 30% would prefer not to hear “shutdown” while 11% would like “gridlock” left out of the vernacular. One in ten — 10% — does not want to hear “fiscal cliff” while 4% feel the same about “sequestration.” Four percent are unsure. Not surprisingly, Democrats and Republicans have a different take on what they don’t want to hear in 2014. 59% of Republicans have had it with “Obamacare,” while 45% of Democrats cringe at the sound of “shutdown.”
Table: Political Term Least Want to Hear in 2014
