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30 Apr 01 - 09:59 AM (#452027) Subject: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss Just a random musing for the day. What do you really get your knickers in a twist about, that nobody else seems bothered about? And vice versa, what have you noticed others getting really worked up about, when you personally can't see that there is anything worth getting in a tizzy about? Bagpuss |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:04 AM (#452032) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Dave the Gnome I get realy narked at people who treat football as important! Answers both questions I guess...;-) DtG (Who lives 2 miles from ManU's ground and has never even looked inside it) |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:06 AM (#452034) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss Well of course football isn't important (except when Newcastle are playing......) Bagpuss |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:06 AM (#452036) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler If were talking Mudcat,here, if I feel my gusset gyrating I DON'T post. So people have different views,tastes, senses of humour to mine, so what? I don't feel the need to convert anyone to my point of view. I value the cameraderie here too much to want to disrupt it. The breadth of opinions, particularly musical ones, are important to me. RtS (But then, as is always obvious, what the Sam Hill do I know about anything?!) |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:07 AM (#452038) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Patrish(inactive) I really once did get my knickers in a twist I put leg through a leg hole and the other one where my waist should have been. This meant that the crutch was located on my hip. I felt really uncomfortable all day........but to answer your question - I hate rudeness and people who are impolite, who forget pleases and thank yous. Bad manners while driving is another thing....... But why do people get upset I play my melodeon?!? Patrish |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:09 AM (#452040) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Patrish(inactive) When should have been in my post somewhere! Spot the deliberate mistake |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:12 AM (#452043) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Fibula Mattock People who treat myth and/or folklore as valid archaeology. I'm not denegrating myth or folklore - I love both, but I hate it when people take fiction as fact. And sensationalist archaeology. I HATE that. Never fails to rile me. Can't understand people who treat their pets like their children. Sorry. |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:14 AM (#452047) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss Tell you what bugs me; when people say "I could care less" when they mean "I couldn't care less". I don't know why it riles me so much as I'm not really a grammar fascist as a rule and similar language uses don't bother me at all. Bagpuss |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:15 AM (#452049) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Fibula Mattock Yeah - in addition, I can't understand why people watch "Animal Hospital", "Pet Rescue" or "Sick Children in Hospital on TV with Rolf Harris or Shauna Lowry or Gabby Roslin" - is it voyeuristic? Is it empathetic? Is is shite? Is it what! |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:17 AM (#452052) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss Better to treat your pets like chidren than your children like pets I suppose... And people who deliberately take you literally when you were speaking figuratively!! (LOL Patrish) Bagpuss |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:19 AM (#452053) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Dave the Gnome Going to the pun thread for a second I guess it realy riles me when conmen get away with tricking money out of people and don't get locked up. Something to do with the judiciary not getting their twisters in a nick. And I realy can't understand all those people who throw things at me when all I do is tell jokes..;-) DtG |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:22 AM (#452055) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss
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30 Apr 01 - 10:27 AM (#452056) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: sian, west wales Dangling participles ... up with which I will not put. sian |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:29 AM (#452057) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Dave the Gnome Dangling participles......! Isn't it a bit cold in West Wales for that? DtG |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:33 AM (#452060) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Kim C I've put my knickers on inside out before. Not on purpose. Fibula, do you mean by treating pets like children, like, putting clothes on them or something? I know people who do that. I'm not one of them. But I have pets, and no children, so I don't know what that means. I would admit that my furry ones are pretty spoiled. What gets my knickers in a wad is when people mispronounce the word "cavalry." Granted, it is a little tricky. But say it right! ;-) |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:34 AM (#452061) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,UB Dan my linguistic pet peeve is when people use 'literally' to add emphasis to a phrase which they mean figuratively...e.g. "My job was 'literally' going down hill" unless this person is a skier, a luger, or in some related field, it is not 'literally' going down hill...it is metaphorically, or figuratively going down hill |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:39 AM (#452069) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Lyndi-loo People who never signal at bust roundabouts when I'm trying to get out. The intrusive 'R' that people put in words that don't have them eg. Laura Norder, Drawring, Africar etc Being called "the wife"!!!! |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:41 AM (#452072) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Lyndi-loo Whoops ! I meant busy roundabouts |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:47 AM (#452077) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Fibula Mattock Kim C - no, not dressing them up, just spoiling them rotten and giving them gourmet dinners and carrying snapshots around of them in their wallet etc. I am of the "this is a dog, it lives outside and behaves in a dog manner"-type-school and much as I like animals (and I loved my dog) I could never see why people on pet TV programmes would ever spend several thousand pounds on chemotherapy for a rabbit. |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:51 AM (#452082) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Noreen AArgh! When my long message disappears inexplicably and irretrievably from the box just as I'm about to submit it.... :0( |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:51 AM (#452083) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Les from Hull Well, it's nearly time for my medication, so I'll take this opportunity of letting loose the latest broadside from HMS Les. Sometimes people (yes even here on Mudcat) will tell you that something is undoubtably true. And the reason that they know its true? Well, they heard about it in a pub, or a mate told them, or such like. Just because you've always thought that a thing is so, doesn't make it so. And because you read it in a book or, even more worse, on the Internet, doesn't make it true either. So we get discussions (even here on Mudcat) where people are shouting yes it is - no it isn't at each other without quoting their sources. For example, on Mudcat anything involving race, nationality, country, flag or similar will start a rumpus even though Mudcatters are generally very amicable people. So particular thanks to those who answer others' queries either with scholarly references or IMHOs and the name of the pub they heard it in.
Thank you nurse, I feel much better now. |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:52 AM (#452084) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Skipjack K8 Does Patrish get annoyed when I play her melodeon. High Intensity Fog Lights, front and rear cause me strangulated gonads me foundation garments are wound so tight. Goddam but I hate ignorant people abusing those things. Have 'em disconnected, I say Skipjack Oh yeah, being called Greg by some infant dental receptionist I've never spoken to before!!! Humphhh |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:57 AM (#452089) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Gary T Well, Dave, after reading that joke, I can understand it...(BG). What gets me is the driver who quickly zips in front of me from off a side street, when A) I was the last in a line of traffic--he could have waited 3 more seconds and not blocked anyone--and B) he then proceeds to go about 5MPH slower than we were going. Why in such a damn hurry to get out there and go slow? I also am bugged by "I could care less." Seems to me the least amount of thought would reveal "I couldn't care less" is the correct sentiment (the exception being the sarcastically inflected "Oh, yeah, as if I could care less."). |
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30 Apr 01 - 10:59 AM (#452090) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: MMario People who treat their children like pets. |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:00 AM (#452091) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler I do get my pants in a plait about misuse of the apostrophe but only where it matters, not here on the Mudcat. RtS (Just call me mellow fellow) |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:07 AM (#452096) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Noreen People mis-spelling definitely (related to finite, if that helps). I don't criticise people who have problems with spelling, but this word is used so often and is more often than not spelled wrongly- which reinforces the error as others get used to seeing the incorrect spelling...!!! (Sorry- off to readjust the nether garments...) Noreen |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:08 AM (#452097) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Les from Hull How true Roger. I remember in another thread volunteering to be one of the four Horseman of the Apostrophe. I pass a stand offering 'Hot Potatoe's' (sic) on my way to work. That's probably why I'm retiring soon. |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:08 AM (#452098) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: KingBrilliant Gary T - what about the driver who quickly unzips in front of you? Sorry - that's the way I read it because I was in a hurry & trying to read furtively at work. And what really gets my Kn in a Tw is stupid people who don't appreciate that I am the person they should give the job to. I mean - wasn't it obvious that I'm just perfect? :-( Kris (just had the rejection phone call .....) |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:11 AM (#452100) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GMT Drivers who: Do not indicate Use Fog Lights when it's not foggy Keep their foot on the brake at traffic lights instead of using the hand break Hog the middle lane of the motorway Think they can park anywhere as long as they put the Hazard Lights on Gosh was that me Cheers Gary
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30 Apr 01 - 11:12 AM (#452101) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Fibula Mattock UMMMmm, I'm a grumpy auld cow, cos I've thought of another. Y'know when yer striding along but the streets are busy so you can't go very fast and then SOME IDIOT STOPS DEAD IN FRONT OF YOU and you bang into them, and they do it for no reason, and it REALLY ANNOYS ME. |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:14 AM (#452103) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GMT Better luck next time KingBrilliant. Some people just can't recognise the right person for the job Cheers Gary (Whose other half is in the same boat on Monday) |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:17 AM (#452105) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Fibula Mattock Can you get your knickers in a twist if you're not wearing any? (she asked innocently). |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:22 AM (#452108) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: KingBrilliant Well I told them..... Best of luck to your other half Gary And Fibula - are you sure they're not just out to get you? Swift kick up the *rse is what they need. That or brake-lights Kris |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:24 AM (#452109) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Karen I'm with Roger and Les. The apostrophe conundrum! I hate seeing those cutsy tole-painted signs in front of houses proudly proclaiming "The Smith's". The smith's WHAT?, for crying out loud! Also when March 17th is referred to as "St. Patty's Day". Patty is short for Patricia NOT Patrick. I realize Mudcatters know the difference but there are those not as sharp out there who need a swift kick in the head now and again. Oooh, I'm getting my knickers twisted just thinking about it!!! |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:24 AM (#452111) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: gnu Grammatically.... the use of "try AND do whatever" when it should be "try TO do whatever". |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:26 AM (#452113) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss I'll try and avoid that in future.... Bagpuss |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:26 AM (#452114) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: LR Mole Knickers? |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:29 AM (#452116) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Patrish(inactive) I hate it when I stop at traffic lights and the person in the car next to me is mining for gold (nose picker)
Patrish
Greg can play my melodeon as long its not one of the few tnes I can play - be warned ;-) |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:29 AM (#452117) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Matt_R Um..who in their right mind puts on the emergency break at traffic lights? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard of! |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:39 AM (#452119) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Noreen Ah- with automatic transmission of course you don't, Matt- but with a manual gearbox you have to keep your foot on the brake otherwise. |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:40 AM (#452120) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Wavestar Ooh! Ooh! Apostrophes. Pet peeve! Internet spellings - we've been down this road before. Or was that b4? EXACTLY what I hate. Computers that think they know which window I want to see without my telling them, or try and correct what I've typed- I don't need any half-arsed little computer programmer correcting my typing, damnit! If I make a mistake, leave it that way! I probably intended it. Oh, and the new fashion of highlighting an entire word, or line, or paragraph, when I click on text - I just want to move my goddamn cursor. That used to be what the mouse was FOR. GMT: I'm with you on most of those, especially people who don't signal, but the hand brake one must be a British thing. Americans don't use the handbrake for that, in fact, we're taught not to, or at least, I was taught not to a few years ago in driver's ed.) It wears out the brake so it's not as effective in emergency situations. We generally refer to it as the 'parking brake' anyway. -J |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:41 AM (#452123) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Fibula Mattock er... what's an emergency break? |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:43 AM (#452125) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Fibula Mattock Ah, cross-posting. But I was taught you should use the handbrake at traffic lights - it's more dangerous to sit with your foot on the clutch (and more likely to wear out your clutch). |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:44 AM (#452126) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Kim C Fibula, I don't like when people run into you in a crowd and don't bother to say Excuse Me. Okay, y'all can hate me, I spoil my pets. I don't have pictures in my wallet but I do have some in my cube at work. They get to sleep in the bedroom but usually the cat's the only one who gets to sleep on the bed. ;-) Oh and here's another one... one of the local interstate loops had the speed limit raised to 65mph several months ago. Last week I got behind someone going 55 in the left lane. ARGH! |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:46 AM (#452127) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Allan C. Matt, for those who drive standard shift cars it comes in handy in San Francisco and a few other hilly places. It is useful to use the emergency brake when stopped and then, when wanting to move forward, to ease off of it as the clutch takes hold. Other than that, I really can't imagine. |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:49 AM (#452129) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Yes, inconsiderate drivers do get my boxers in a braid. BTW, Allan, the UK driving test incorporates "hill starts" which causes some problems for people driving in Norfolk or Lincolnshire! RtS |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:55 AM (#452131) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: MMario I have used it in some situations - but when taking driver's education one thing they stressed was NOT to set the brake. guess it depends on where you are |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:56 AM (#452132) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GMT A good place to practice hill starts is in a multistorey car park (Dare I post this is multi storey hyphanated ?) (Blimey it's all one word). Gary |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:56 AM (#452133) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Clinton Hammond I got a new lowest life form in my book... not pedophiles or father rapers... nope... now it's people who PAINT WINDOWS SHUT!!! They're assholes!! Every last single one of them!!!! Grrrrr! ;-) |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:57 AM (#452135) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Patrish(inactive) When you do something like hold open a door and you don't get a thank you grrrrrr. Well I have come up with a way to make them realise how bloody rude they are. I always say when they sail through "your welcome" and they usually say "What" and I say "sorry, I thought you said thank you" Then they go red in the face and so do I cos really its a bit childish...sorry Patrish |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:58 AM (#452136) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GMT Oops hyphenated !! |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:58 AM (#452137) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Karen Also, employees who are told to greet every customers they see with a friendly phrase. I shop at a market that is loaded with "friendly employees". I can't make it through the whole store without being asked six to seven times "How are you doing? Can I help you find anything?". Really, I've been shopping there for 12 years now. I don't need any help finding items and I'm doing just great and have been since I entered the store half an hour ago. I'm not planning on sliding into a major depression between the soups and sauces row and the breakfast cereal row. Just leave me alone so I can get my marketing done!!! |
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30 Apr 01 - 11:59 AM (#452138) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: mousethief I too was disoriented by the braking-at-stoplights question, Matt. I never use my handbrake except when parking (except starting out going up a steep hill with a manual transmission -- no other way to do that unless you're a contortionist). If the clutch is completely disengaged (pedal all the way to the floor) it won't wear out cos it's not touching or rubbing anything. Further, whether or not you push the clutch in at stoplights has nothing to do with which brake you use (unless of course you brake and clutch with the same foot -- which you should definitely have been taught not to do!). It has to do with whether you shift into neutral. Some handbrakes are very difficult to use. I had a 1967 Ford Mustang whose handbrake required you to reach 'way under the dashboard, and the handle would regularly break because it wasn't really made for ultrafrequent use. Indeed, they are more often called "parking brakes" in l'Etats Unis, because that's what they're most often used for. I too HATE the use of "literal" when it isn't. And people who speed up when you signal to change lanes to keep you from getting in front of them. Alex |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:04 PM (#452145) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GMT My complaint was that keeping your foot on the brakes means the light can dazzle the driver in the car behind, especially at night and I think it's a bit inconciderate, that's all Gary |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:05 PM (#452148) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: JudeL Maybe it is a British thing, but I was taught to use the hand brake at junctions. I was told that 1) it's less wearing on the cluch and 2)if the car is knocked from behind the car is less likly to move than if you were using the footbrake (because you would automatically release the pressure on the pedal). How true this is I don't know. I should add that I took my test some time ago and current advice may differ. My personal pet hate is people who indicate to turn and then change their minds or keep swerving in front of you lane swopping especially when a few mins later they do the same thing but from the other side. Jude
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30 Apr 01 - 12:05 PM (#452149) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Geoff the Duck A slight aside from the Apostrophe situation is the people who do not know how to pronounce one. A couple of my favourite brands of beer are Banks's Mild and various beers produced by Thwaites brewery. To often you hear them referred to as "Banks Mild" or "Thwaites Bitter". Of course the correct pronunciation is "Banks's (Bankses)Mild" and "Thwaites's (Thwaiteses) Bitter". NOTE If pronouunced "Thwaites'" it is just the abbreviated form of the name. |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:10 PM (#452152) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Patrish(inactive) People who talk at you all the time, and are not interested in what you have to share. The worst ones are the type who have been everywhere, done everything and can do everything - they always have to top whatever you say - It switches me completely off Patrish |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:13 PM (#452153) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Karen I'm guessing that after about your third Thwaites's you wouldn't be able to pronounce it correctly anyway ;-) |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:13 PM (#452154) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Owlkat Hi, Aside from the obvious bad drivers, (tailgaters, high beam flashers, non-signallers, sudden stoppers, low speed crawlers, etc.) the thing twisting my tanga is my house-mate who has finally decided to tell me that she's broke and moving out in two days now that the rent, hydro, phone, and cable installation (that she wanted) have been or are about to paid for by you know who; in other words, people who don't say what needs to be said, or lie when you ask them to tell you what you need to know. Oh, and by the way, ARGH! Quietly smoldering, Owl. |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:16 PM (#452158) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: mousethief If your brake lights dazzle the driver behind, I'd say they're too durned bright. And there is a slough of too durned bright lights out there. Those horrible blue-ish halogens should be made illegal in all 50 states and Canada too. When a pair of those babies bear down on you you can't watch the road without going temporarily blind -- which is very dangerous! Alex |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:21 PM (#452159) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Noreen The handbrake thing is NOT a question of nationalities, but of gearboxes! In the UK we have manual gearboxes as standard (no I don't know why either) and so Gary assumed that in his post. Those of you reading it on the other side of the pond assume an automatic gearbox, with which there is no need to use a brake at traffic lights/stop lights. OK? :0) |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:27 PM (#452167) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss Another one from me is football commentators who miss out the 's' in certain words: "sikth", "subtitute" and "Alec Ferguson" for example. They do it all the bloody time! Bagpuss |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:34 PM (#452179) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,JohnB I really hate the drivers who pull out in front of you on a narrow two lane road and then stop to turn at the next intersection. In the written word I really hate it when people use insure instead of ensure, it's also bad policy. While I am on a roll, on the subject of lights, Light Pollution, it's a pain in the starse. There must be lots more in there. JohnB |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:37 PM (#452182) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Don Firth Where to start . . . Oy! Okay: Multi-tasking. Eating an Egg McMuffin while working on a spreadsheet on the laptop computer and talking on the cell-phone while screaming down the on-ramp and merging with the rest of the freeway traffic. Don Firth |
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30 Apr 01 - 12:50 PM (#452195) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Melani I am greatly annoyed by people who present themselves as the world's authority on everything, but in fact don't know what they're talking about. People really shouldn't have such a stake in always being right--EVERYBODY can learn something new. Also annoying: people who act like jerks and are not kind to each other. |
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30 Apr 01 - 01:03 PM (#452205) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Whistle Stop So it mainly comes down to bad driving and bad grammar, as far as I can tell. I wasn't going to post my bad grammar offering, thinking it was too petty. But now I see that everyone else is as petty as I am. So... I really hate it when people decide to pluralize a third-person singular personal pronoun in order to be gender-neutral. Example: "If your child lives more than a mile from school, they will have to take the bus." Currently, correct usage dictates that we default to "he" in these cases. If we don't like that (because it's sexist, or whatever), we have the option of inventing and promoting another word, or of rephrasing the statement so a pronoun isn't needed (i.e., "All children who live more than a mile from school must take the bus."). But swapping the singular for the plural is not the way to go. I find this really grating, perhaps because it seems to be catching on everywhere. |
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30 Apr 01 - 01:05 PM (#452207) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: MMario Noreen - it didn't matter whether auto or manual transmission. As I said - Driver's education/safety classes specifically mentioned it as something NOT to do. but what gets me going is people who treat their children as possessions.
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30 Apr 01 - 01:13 PM (#452209) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: mousethief Actually, WS, use of the plural for a singular person of undetermined gender goes back at least as far as Shakespeare. It apparently is the way the language is trending, and will be "de rigeur", I predict, within 50 years. But good luck in your fight! Mmario, don't you owe me an email?
Alex |
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30 Apr 01 - 01:44 PM (#452235) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Jenny the T >>The handbrake thing is NOT a question of nationalities, but of gearboxes! In the UK we have manual gearboxes as standard (no I don't know why either) and so Gary assumed that in his post. Those of you reading it on the other side of the pond assume an automatic gearbox, with which there is no need to use a brake at traffic lights/stop lights. OK? :0) << Nope, not OK. This just plain doesn't make sense to me--I've only ever had one automatic tranny, and it sure never worked like that for me. Assuming level ground, with an automatic in "Drive," leaving your foot off the brake will let the car creep forward. With a manual in "Neutral," leaving your foot off the brake will cause the car to ... do nothing. It just sits there. The way I was taught (manual tranny): when you stop at a traffic light, put it in neutral and release the clutch. I've only ever had one car with a handbrake strong enough to hold it still, anyway. The peeve that smokes my own personal shorts: cell phones. In movies, in concerts, in elevators, in doctors' offices; in places where signs are posted begging the inconsiderate nitwits to please turn 'em off. Oh, and employers who load their workers up with the aforementioned devices (and pagers) with the expectation that they'll be on call 24/7. A paycheck or a life--increasingly it seems you can have one or the other, but not both. |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:00 PM (#452249) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Clinton Hammond Thanks Don! Cell Phone assholes!!! Guys out for dinner with a lady who answer every frigg'n call that comes in... and have the phone ring loud enough that the whole world can hear it... People who come out to the pub fer a pint and spen the whole night talking on the damn phone with people who aren't there... and idiots who want to ARGUE on the phone while they drive... I crash into those fuckwits on purpose... especially if they are yuppie pecker tracks who have a "Baby On Board" sign in the window... I resent them for 2 reasons... One, the automatic assumption that THEY drive better than me... Care to guess how many flipped and stuck SUV's me and my 91 p.o.s., rust coloured Camry go bombing past just after the first serious snow fall every year??? Just about ALL OF THEM!!! People assue that owning a safe care takes away thier responsibility of ever having to learn to DRIVE THE FECKING THING!!!! FIRST learn to drive THEN get your 'safe car'!!! Two, the fact that THEY expect ME to change my driving habits just because some bimbo I don't even wanna know forgot to take her pill one night?!?!?!?! I run them off the road and hope their SAABS burst into flames... Knock that kid around a bit... Let 'em find out what the world it REALLY like!!! The world doesn't change just because you put up a sign!!!! Wanna know what really gets my goat??? People... this world would be a fecking lovely place if it wasn't for all the damn stupid usless PEOPLE! |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:04 PM (#452253) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: mousethief Definitely time to switch to decaf, Clint.
Alex |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:14 PM (#452263) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Clinton Hammond Decaf is for pussies, MT... I'da figured YOU'DA known THAT!! LOL!! |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:20 PM (#452265) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Karen Bumper stickers that are confusing like "In case of Rapture, this car will be unmanned." Usually I see this bumper sticker on cars in parking lots with no driver inside so I'm left wondering, "Did it happened? Did Rapture occur and I wasn't aware of it? Or is the driver just inside the Am/Pm buying a six pack?" |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:27 PM (#452270) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: catspaw49 Dear Drivers, First, have your pedals bent and adjusted so that you can apply pressure to the brake with the left side of your foot and pressure on the throttle with the right side. By rolling your foot at the ankle you can increase the throttle while still maintaing the desired pressure on the brake. Now this is useful on hills, but a handbrake works fine too. Where the "Heel-Toe" is best is braking and downshifting at the same time to match RPM in each gear. Try it on back roads til you master it. The handbrake is useful for bootleg turns. A quick jerk of the steering wheel to the right, jam the handbrake, and apply opposite lock (left) on the steering wheel. As the rear end comes around, release the brake and snap the wheel back to the right, a bit past center. Clutch in and shift to first .... then dump the clutch and adjust for straight ahead. There will be a lot of tire smoke so relax. This is best learned in a wet parking lot, then take it to the dirt roads. If you can do it then fairly well, try it on dry pavement (back in the parking lot). Spaw (I don't wear knickers) |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:40 PM (#452280) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Linda Kelly People who are anti-Europe based on a bad holiday they had in Majorca once. Purile phone quizzes that give you three inane choices that your cat could figure out and then charge you £5.00 a minute when you phone your answers through. BBC's Watchdog programme, which is inaccurate,badly researched crams their frequent apologies into a few seconds at the endo f each programme and has failed to realise, like the rest of this country, that in a free market economy, people will charge different prices and if they don't like it they should @%$£??££" off! (Caught me on a bad day -very bad cold and feelign miserable) |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:44 PM (#452284) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: MMario Alex - e-mail went out at 8:35 this morning - right after I put out two "forest fires", changed the backup tape and checked my voicemail. WPMKIAT? People who assume that if you don't have "spare" cash you are a) - unemployed b) lazy or c) incompetent |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:55 PM (#452296) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Linda Kelly And another thing -I'm ranting now- when you look up the calorific value of a food item, in order to sustain maximum guilt when you eat it- packets always tell you how much per 100grams -but then they fail to mention how much the packet weighs so your non the wiser! |
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30 Apr 01 - 02:55 PM (#452297) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Gary T I'll vote for misuse of apostrophes, and second Karen's observation of over-friendly staff. Here in the states, "St. Patrick's" is often rendered as "St. Paddy's" (I'm sure it's simply because it rolls off the tongue more easily), but I've never seen "St. Patty's." Now, on this handbrake thing--it is largely a matter of where you learn to drive. In the U.S., it is usually called the parking brake or the emergency brake. In many cars here it is operated by a pedal, and is thus not a handbrake. Using this brake to assist in taking off at the bottom of a hill is not routinely taught, except perhaps in very hilly places like San Francisco, and most Americans have never heard of the technique. (As previously mentioned, it obviously applies only to a manual transmission[gearbox].) While it's possible to do it with a pedal-operated parking brake, it's much trickier than doing so with a handbrake. Given that the majority of cars here have automatic transmissions and a significant percentage of manual-trans cars have pedal parking brakes, there's not much interest in using the parking brake to assist in hill starts. Some tidbits: Subaru had (maybe still has) a feature called a "hill holder," which automatically retained pressure in the brake lines when the clutch pedal was depressed. This accomplished the same thing as the hill start technique with most drivers being blissfully unaware of its existence. "Parking brake" refers to the wisdom of applying it when parking the car, especially with a manual trans. Even with an automatic trans, it can help avoid stressing the internal shift linkage of the transmission if it's applied before shifting into park. "Emergency brake" refers to the fact that because it is a manual way to apply the brakes, it can be helpful if the regular brake system, which is hydraulically operated, fails. It's largely a misnomer, though, as it's of very limited use. The emergency/parking brake only operates on two wheels, usually the rear (which generally provide about 1/3 of the car's total braking capability), and modern cars seldom experience total failure of the regular brakes due to split braking systems. Most cars with rear disc (as opposed to rear drum) brakes have the parking brake mechanism inside the rear brake caliper. If the parking brake is not used--and it's a typical American habit to not use it--the rear brakes will not self-adjust properly and often the caliper will seize internally. Non-use also makes it more likely for the operating cables to seize. Then when the parking/emergency brake is eventually applied, either it doesn't work at all or it goes on but won't let itself off. |
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30 Apr 01 - 04:43 PM (#452355) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: catspaw49 Subaru stole it directly from the drag strip BTW Gary. Spaw |
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30 Apr 01 - 05:56 PM (#452417) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Kim C Patrish, maybe some people don't say thank you because they can't talk. Maybe they just can't speak, maybe they have laryngitis, or maybe they're off in a world of their own not paying attention (last one would be me). Usually I say thank you but sometimes I don't because I'm not on this planet. Not because I'm purposely being a jerk. I try not to ever purposely be a jerk. Thank you. :-) |
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30 Apr 01 - 06:46 PM (#452458) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: BanjoRay My favorite is when you call up a company's help line (sic)and a bloody computer gives you a choice of six options, none of which you want, followed by several more sets of totally inappropriate choices. After about a century of farting about, you get connected to an insane music system which plays something repetitive and totally unlistenable-to for an eon. At irregular intervals this is interrupted by a voice you want to strangle that tells you how wonderful the company is and how easy it is to operate one of their infuriating gadgets. Before you've got the full gist of what it is you are being told, another voice breaks in, blots out the other message, and tells you that you are in a queue (as if you didn't know). After about a year of repeats of this, someone answers, takes details of your request in a bored voice, then tells you that you need a different department, and that you are being transferred. They then put you back on the conveyor belt you've just gratefully left. For some reason companies seem to think that torturing their customers is good marketing. Cheers |
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30 Apr 01 - 07:27 PM (#452495) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Gary T Amen, Ray! |
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30 Apr 01 - 07:38 PM (#452504) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Irish sergeant I could do this for days but to be honest, you all have covered most of my pet peeves I don't know what you call telemarketers in the UK but here they really are a pain in the ass and definitely get my knickers all twisted. Clinton, you are on a roll, Sir! I laughed at your post but you speak the truth. Also to whomever complained about bad spellers, I agree but keep in mind some of us are dislexic Thank God for Spell check (The preceding not a paid endorsement) My biggest knicker-twister is people who lie. Kindest reguards, Neil |
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30 Apr 01 - 07:45 PM (#452509) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Karen I'm okay with "St. Paddy's" (short for Padraig) and I'm okay with "St. Pat's" (short for Patrick). It's "St. Patty's" that burns my toast. I see it all the time in restaurants and bars here in southern California. When I politely attempt to correct them (not very often...why get more annoyed?) they usually give me that bored "Whatever" look. |
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30 Apr 01 - 07:46 PM (#452510) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: kendall One of my pet peeves is someone who says one thing, means another, and doesn't get it when I dont understand what they are trying to say. |
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30 Apr 01 - 07:53 PM (#452513) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Justa Picker Here are a few of mine. Whenever someone starts a phrase "Now don't take this the wrong way" you always will. Whenever someone says "It's not a question of the money" it always is. Whenever you ask a saleman a question and he says "Listen, I'm not gonna lie to you" he will. Whenever you receive a letter marked on the outside "Without Prejudice", the contents are the opposite. Whenever someone signs a letter "respectfully" they have none for you. |
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30 Apr 01 - 08:03 PM (#452516) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: bill\sables One thing which I hate is being in a supermarket and buying a couple of items and going to the "Less than 10 Items" checkout only to find that the shopers in front of you are unloading a trolly with at least a weeks supplies and then wanting to write out cheques and and collect points etc. Another thing in Kwik Save supermarkets is after having checked through the checkout having to buy bags to carry your goods home in. Bill |
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30 Apr 01 - 08:23 PM (#452529) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: kendall You all have covered a few of my pet peeves. In addition, I would add jerks who pass you, cut you off, then turn off at the next exit when there are no other cars behind you. Spaw, the 1949 Studebaker had a hill holder. Mouse thief, if you sit there with the clutch depressed, there is contact . The throw out bearing is pressed against the pressure plate. I cant stand being put on hold, then having some crap that passes for music blaring in my ear. I hang up and keep calling back until I get someone who knows what they are doing. A major peeve...talking to a clerk, the phone rings, she/he leaves you standing there like a second class citizen and talks to some person on the other end. If they decide to talk to the phone customer, I tell them, dont put me on hold, I was here first. If they keep it up, I leave. They remind me of Pavlovs dogs, they dont know why they do it, they just do it. Karen, next time someone bugs you in a store, fall to the floor, assume a foetal position and scream "Why cant you just leave me alone!" |
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30 Apr 01 - 08:26 PM (#452531) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Karen LOL! Very good, Kendall. I DO try that trick with my kids but they never do leave me alone.... :-O |
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01 May 01 - 03:30 AM (#452676) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GMT Didn't realise |I'd cause such a fuss. Gary T my hand brake stuck on in the monkey enclosure at Wipsnade Park which was damb inconvenient. Perhaps the thread should be called 'Come the Revolution' ? Cheers (to all who tried to clear up the brake light thing) Gary |
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01 May 01 - 04:36 AM (#452695) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: JudeL Ray - agree totally about the automatic phone thing - one more variation that drives me nuts (it happened this morning ) is when after making you listen to all those options and irritating musak and leaving you on hold for ages, instead of ending up talking to a real person the damn thing cuts you off and you have to go through the whole stupid process again. Grrrrr Sorry folks but it was the umpteenth time I've tried to get through. Also does BT's message "The number you are calling is not answering, please try later" just before they cut you off and lose your place in the queue annoy anyone else. I know they haven't answered yet and they won't if I keep losing my place in the queue Jude |
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01 May 01 - 07:31 AM (#452743) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss I hate it when people say, "Currently, correct usage dictates......." Language is a living evolving thing and I like to be descriptive rather than proscriptive (apart from my own pet peeves of course). Most of the grammar things that many people get "wrong" are things that were artificially imposed on the language by people who thought that Latin grammar was correct grammar and that we should copy it. Thats why so many people have trouble with them - the changes didn't occur in spoken language in their everyday life, but were imposed from elsewhere. So in our area, we have always used they instead of he/she and we also say us instead of me and we (w') instead of us. But just because my dialect wasnt in the right part of the country to become "standard english", all these things are "wrong" along with double negatives, split infinitives etc. erm you might guess that this is one of my knickers in a twist subjects..... Bagpuss |
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01 May 01 - 07:52 AM (#452750) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Les from Hull There, there 'puss. There's nowt wrong wi' dialect. I use it missen. But this is an international forum so we shouldn't overuse it. Or maybe we should explain it when we do use it. You're dead right about split infinitives and other 'inventions', though. These are not wrong, and never were. I used to have to teach effective writing and it was very difficult to get people to believe that it was OK to split an infinitive. Or use a a conjunction to start a sentence with. (That should have got a few people going, I hope) 'Current usage' allows split infinitives and the other things that language pedants rail against - you can point to any current book on effective writing and show them chapter and verse. By the way - you missed a couple of apostrophes out.**BG** |
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01 May 01 - 08:04 AM (#452757) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Dani Bill, I can't find the reference now, of course, but there was hilarious story on the wire recently about a veteran who was behind a woman in the 10-item aisle and she had a 'few' more than that. He'd apparently asked her several times to move, and she would not. Finally, he removed her somehow (and was charged with assault). He was heard to say, "I did not serve my country in two wars just to stand in line all day behind someone who cannot *&?^&%@$ COUNT!!" Dani |
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01 May 01 - 08:04 AM (#452758) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Dani Bill, I can't find the reference now, of course, but there was hilarious story on the wire recently about a veteran who was behind a woman in the 10-item aisle and she had a 'few' more than that. He'd apparently asked her several times to move, and she would not. Finally, he removed her somehow (and was charged with assault). He was heard to say, "I did not serve my country in two wars just to stand in line all day behind someone who cannot *&?^&%@$ COUNT!!" Dani |
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01 May 01 - 08:20 AM (#452766) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss Les - what would you know? You're from Hull.... I may miss out apostrophe's due to lazy typing but I never add in one's that shouldnt be there. Hehehehe Bagpuss |
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01 May 01 - 08:31 AM (#452773) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Whistle Stop So Bagpuss, you put my knickers in a twist, and I put yours in a twist. [Just using the expression that was used in the title to this thread -- I'm American, and would never use this bizarre UK expression under normal circumstances.] I'm okay with different dialects, but mixing the singular with the plural is a recipe for confusion. Language is used to communicate, and anything that impedes clear communication (at least in cases where we want to communicate clearly) should be avoided. I stand by my comment, however artlessly expressed, and I will defend to the death my right to be annoyed. |
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01 May 01 - 08:35 AM (#452775) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss Dont American's say "pantie's in a bunch" as a direct equivalent to "knicker's in a twist"? Bagpuss |
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01 May 01 - 08:39 AM (#452776) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Oh, what a tangled thong we weave When we air our favourite peeve. RtS (the bard of Ascot - some letters may be missing from bard!) |
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01 May 01 - 08:42 AM (#452779) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss I have never encountered anyone being confused by my use of the plural as a substitute for the 3rd person singular of ambiguous gender. Maybe its is just more commonly used in GB so there is less confusion. I just think any alternative sounds strange and artificial. For example "If a friend wants my e-mail address, should I give it to them?" sounds perfectly natural to me, but substituting "him or her" sounds laboured to my ear. I stand by you right to be annoyed with me though... Bagpuss |
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01 May 01 - 09:24 AM (#452803) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: kendall Dani, it is quite normal behaviour for a man to say that, but, it can get you into trouble. A better way to deal with that woman would have been to drop a dozen packets of condoms into her cart.(Make sure she doesn't see you do it) then watch as she gets to the checkout. |
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01 May 01 - 09:24 AM (#452804) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Gary T The equivalent to "knickers in a twist" that I grew up with is "bowels in an uproar." Works fine as long as you don't ponder its literal meaning too much. |
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01 May 01 - 10:13 AM (#452838) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Geoff the Duck Yesterday (Monday) I phoned the doctors' surgery (correct placing of apostrophe because it is a surgery occupied by several doctors) to be told that the earliest "appointment" they had is on Friday. Whoever invented this stupid idea? At my previous doctor's surgery you just turned up when you were poorly and looked at the queue. If it was short you sat down at the end of it and waited. Eventually you got seen. If it was long, you had the choice of waiting a long time or deciding that you were not sick enough to be bothered. If I am poorly I need to see a doctor then, not days later - by that time I could be twice as bad! The British Government (another thing which intensely annoys me these days) keeps complaining that people are wasting NHS time and money by not turning up for appointments. They probably don't get there because they died whilst waiting. Anyway, If all these appointments are being missed, why is it that when you turn up on time for your appointment you still have to wait half an hour. Surely you should go straight into the space left by the thousands of cancellations. p.s. Internet Acronyms and computer psychobabble. They really get my goat. Why put a string of (to me) meaningless capital letters when we have a sophisticated language we can use, (several if you include Hull and Hebden Bridge). ROFL - BOLLOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack. GtD
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01 May 01 - 11:05 AM (#452881) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bill D well, it really bothers me to have a thread reach 100 posts before I even knew it was there!!! *grump*
...but beyond that.. 2) re: auto brakes and the use thereof-- You simply NEVER use hand/parking/emergency brakes on level ground, no matter whether you drive automatic OR manual transmission vehicles. There are relatively simple techniques for stopping at lights and starting again using either form of transmission. Even with a 'slight' incline, all that is required with a manual transmission is practicing a little heel-toe movement from brake to accelerator while easing up on the clutch. On a relatively steep hill, it IS permissable to add the parking/hand brake to the routine when starting from a stopped position. .....but I suppose that my greatest peeve is traffic 'cheaters'...pushy, arrogant, selfish people who think their need to pass, park, speed, overrides ANY of your rights. I reserve a 10 circle of Hell for those who see lanes narrowing, and traffic forming a single line, and proceed to zoom up the side and bully their way in front of some timid soul. (Those timid souls get about the 6th circle of Hell.)
Of course, those folks who have never learned the difference between words such as 'affect' & 'effect' and 'there', 'they're' and 'there' |
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01 May 01 - 11:13 AM (#452889) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Whistle Stop The use of plural pronouns to denote singular objects confuses me, at least. Perhaps I'm just easily confused. I'm as American as they come, and I've never heard anyone say "knickers in a twist," OR "panties in a bunch," OR "bowels in an uproar". We have equally bizarre expressions, I'm sure -- just not those. But you all have my permission to use whatever expressions suit you. You're welcome. |
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01 May 01 - 12:51 PM (#452982) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Caitrin As the daughter of two former British/American lit teachers, I have to jump in the grammar debate... I'm with Whistle Stop. I hate it when people use plural pronouns to indicate singular antecedents in an effort to be PC. I love dialects. As spoken language, they're beautiful and fascinating. In formal speaking and writing, however, they can make communication difficult. For instance, if you were speaking to someone for whom English is not her first language, "standard" English would be necessary for effective communication. Other things that really burn my cookie: People who move to my side of the Mason-Dixon and make insulting remarks about southerners. Rudeness People who think they know everything. (They always annoy those of us who actually do know everything.) People who treat me like an idiot just because I'm a young female. |
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01 May 01 - 01:17 PM (#453010) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,bodhran boy I have to agree with the statement about the assholes (or is it arseholes?). My wife and I have been in a "new" house for about a year and EVERY WINDOW WAS PAINTED OR CAULKED SHUT!! What kind of brain dead, mouth breathing moron does this shit (or is it shite?)? |
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01 May 01 - 01:20 PM (#453021) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Clinton Hammond My point exactily B-boy! ^5's! ;-) |
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01 May 01 - 02:10 PM (#453083) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Karen BillD, I have to respectfully disagree about "universalizing" thread titles. I am American and greatly enjoy "dialect" phrases or whatever you what to call them. I also have heard the phrase "knickers in a twist" many times even though I am an ignorant American. :-) As for the spell check annoyance I did have one experience with it that almost caused an uproar at work. I was writing up procedures for my department and was using terms known here at my work. I used the word "masterdatatable" which was not in the spell check dictionary. The closest word it could find was "masturbate". I was sorely tempted to hit the "Replace All" button just to see how it would read.... |
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01 May 01 - 02:18 PM (#453092) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Mr Red litter usually near fast food outlets the perpetraitors would be the first to moan about the diseases spread by rats guess they are too dumb to figure they are giving rats a Land overflowing with milk and McDonalds. |
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01 May 01 - 02:22 PM (#453098) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: GUEST,Karen Okay, Mr Red, that brings up another annoyance for me: trash cans (in the U.S.) with the phrase "Keep litter in its place". "Litter in its place" would pretty much be on the ground. That's why it's litter! |
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01 May 01 - 04:12 PM (#453183) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Wavestar Only nice midwestern housewives, Bagpuss :) I'm kidding, really. I'm kidding. (sorry, meant to post this a while ago, but couldn't get Mudcat or Loki to respond.) I'm a pedant. Okay, I'm sorry. The reason, however, is pretty simple - you can talk however you like to your friends, in your letters, notes to yourself, etc. But in formal situations, I feel that one should abide by the rules of grammar to ensure clear communciation - artificial or not. That's just me. This here is Mudcat - do what you like :) (But please don't like using numbers and letters for words... please, please, please...) We'll just agree to disagree, and I'll only correct people who are heading to job interviews or are handing in formal papers. Other things that annoy me - People on sidewalks, yes! the ones who stop in front of you, or stand there impeding traffic obliviously, or the groups of four that all walk abreast very slowly so you can't get by, or even worse, the ones who weave! so no matter which way you go around them, they are there first! ARRRGH. Skanky older men who leer at me and call me dear, particularly ones I'm asking questions of or buying things from. Don't get me wrong - I can tell when they are being sweet. Often, they aren't. The one who pissed me off most looked me right up and down and called me 'sweetie.' I was having lunch with my boss, who was right behind me - and who kindly restrained me from killing the man. People who don't listen to me when I say things. I say something, and they are looking right at me, but not hearing a word, and then, either they realise I was talking and say excuse me, or worse, they just walk off - or start talking to someone else. I don't speak quietly. I don't talk too fast. I'm very noticable. And I'm sorry that your job is boring, and you can't keep your mind on it, but you're being RUDE! Cell phones. Mean people. People who blow smoke in my face. People who don't teach their children decent manners, and expect me to understand that the little darlings are just too sensitive, and aren't they stubborn! Yes, lady, stubborn enough that just as soon as they are old enough, they are going to get themselves decked, because no one ever taught them that they can't get away with that. I'm done for a while, thanks :) -J |
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01 May 01 - 04:24 PM (#453191) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Kim C That's "panties in a wad." Maybe it's a Southernism; I've heard it all my life. One I hadn't heard, though, was "keep your pants on" to counter a fit of impatience. I was watching the Antiques Roadshow last night and wouldn't you know, the appraiser was looking at a "calvary sword." That's CAV-al-ry. Learn to say it!!!!! ;-) |
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01 May 01 - 04:28 PM (#453196) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: jeffp Kim, are you sure that sword wasn't carried by one of the Roman soldiers at the crucifixion? *BG* Seriously, though, that is one of my pet peeves, too. (Does your vet take care of your pet peeves?) jeffp |
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01 May 01 - 04:28 PM (#453197) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Linda Kelly People who don't clear up after their dogs (A use for your Kwik Save bags Bill!). Frankly, a bag of dog poo is THE latest fashion accessory and I rarely go anywhere without one! |
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01 May 01 - 05:28 PM (#453238) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Caitrin I've heard knickers in a twist, panties in a wad, and panties in a bunch. Quite honestly, though, I don't like the sound of any of them. |
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01 May 01 - 07:06 PM (#453308) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Gary T I bet the feel of them is worse! :) |
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01 May 01 - 07:38 PM (#453332) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Ebbie In colloquial German there is a phrase, meant to counsel patience, that literally translates as 'Hold (on to) your pants'. That certainly predates an Americanism, I should think. I too am jolted by cavalry/calvary; I have often heard it mispronounced in songs. Another one- written by a friend of mine- sings about the 'tempetuous' sea. He must mean tempestuous or maybe he's thinking of 'impetuous'? I have never dared ask. Oh- and how about 'mispronounciation'? I hear that too. Ebbie |
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01 May 01 - 07:44 PM (#453339) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: sophocleese Having just got back from an errand on my bike. People who wander all over the bike path without looking around for other traffic and then look affronted when you cough and say "Excuse me." when you want to get by. Yes they have as much a right to be there as I do. That right means sharing it not hogging it! HHRUMPH! Having to spend discussion time in a meeting or class catching people up on material they should already be familiar with. Used to drive me up the wall!
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01 May 01 - 07:48 PM (#453340) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: kendall I recently went to court to lend support to a very nervous friend. The Bailiff seated everyone after the judge was seated. Then, in a stentorian voice, the judge announced, ANYONE WHO HAS A CEL PHONE, TURN IT OFF NOW, IF IT RINGS DURING THESE PROCEDINGS, YOU WILL BE HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT. I almost stood up and cheered. |
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02 May 01 - 09:50 AM (#453780) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bagpuss Bill D - I don't think this thread would have been as long or as interesting if I had just called it "Things that annoy you". Secondly, I know many people like learning about other people's colloquialisms (I know I do) and they ain't gonna learn about 'em if nobody uses them. I find that using interesting phases piques people's curiosity and can get all sorts of interesting conversations going. Also, it was about the connotations of the phrase. It was a light hearted title to reflect a light-hearted topic. And the phrase 'knickers in a twist' implies that it is trivial things we get annoyed about, that we know are not really important, but get us riled up anyway. Bagpuss (perhaps I have annoyed all sorts of people for choosing a handle that not everyone understands, but I don't care, cos people can always ask)
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02 May 01 - 10:16 AM (#453794) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: IceWolf The thing that gets my hackles up: kewl d00dz \/\/h0 TyP3 EvErYtH1Ng LiK3 Th15 translation: "Cool dudes who type everything like this", aka "d00dspeak". It's more maddening than people who use "u" for "you", "r" for "are", and "plz" for "please" - which also drives me over the edge. IceWolf
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02 May 01 - 10:48 AM (#453815) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Dave the Gnome I've never had a pet called peeves. and Gnomes never wear knickers. I do like mispronunciations or incorrect words though. Always reminds me of Hilda Baker with her 'since time immoral' and the like. My mum-in-laws best was anti-imflamable tablets for her arthritis. Best I saw in a newspaper was a bungalow for sale with 'panasonic views of the Rossendale valley'! Cheers Dave the Groan |
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02 May 01 - 11:42 AM (#453860) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Les from Hull No need to get your fishing line tangled, Dave. Panasonic make video cameras, don't they? |
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02 May 01 - 12:36 PM (#453897) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: mousethief Doesn't Bill Gates's new mansion have Panasonic views? Or was it Sony? Alex |
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02 May 01 - 12:45 PM (#453907) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Caitrin Okay, I'm a theatre electrician. You know what really bugs me? People who don't coil the cable right! They just gather it up any old way, not giving a flip if it's tangled or twisty or in any way having any concern for the next person who uses it or for getting permanent kinks in the cable. Those folks drive me almost as batty as people who hang lighting instruments upside down. |
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02 May 01 - 01:03 PM (#453933) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: IceWolf Things that yank my chain: Prejudice. Judging another human being purely on race, creed, religion, etc - rather than getting to know them. Militant feminists who claim to espouse "Equal Rights", but just as avidly oppose women registering for the Selective Service. Internet Websites that throw pop-up ads in my face. Nosy neighbors who don't understand that making a six-year-old kid stand in a corner for fifteen minutes is *not* abuse. IceWolf |
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02 May 01 - 01:11 PM (#453944) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Don Firth Yup! Just heard it again this morning! When newscasters, politicians (on science-related committees), and scientists, including nuclear physicists, pronounce nuclear "NOO-kyuh-ler." Do these people really know what they're talking about? (In case anyone is not sure, it's pronounced "NEW-klee-ur." Another on is "free gift." Is that to distinguish it from a gift you have to pay for? Don Firth |
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02 May 01 - 01:20 PM (#453951) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Wavestar ooh Ooh! Icewolf! I agree entirely. Grrr! Caitrin - I sympathise, having done a lot of theatre myself. It amazes me what people don't notice they are accidently destroying - they say, "well, fine, be picky! I was trying to help!" and I'm thinking, "Breaking things isn't helpful. If you want to help, do it right when I tell you how, don't get offended." Just another one for the book - I know I've said mean people, but I've got a few examples. Recently I spent half and hour in the rain trying to find an address on a street I thought I knew. Finally, after checking with passersby, local businesses, and a taxi driver who knew the town really well, I rang the bell of the door that was closest to the number I was seeking to ask if the occupant knew why the street seemed to have no 43 when that was the number I'd been given. I rang the bell, and when i got no response after a couple minutes, rang again. A woman opened the door - unpleasantness wafted off her. "Excuse me," I said, "I'm very sorry, but I'm looking for number 43..." She cut me off and said very sharply, "This is number 45." "I know," I said, and I'm very sorry, but I can't seem to find 43, and I was wondering, since you lived here, if you knew where is was." She glared at me and said in a voice that implied I was really very stupid, "Well, I assume it's just one up." I said, "You'd think so, but it's not. Have you ever..." and she cut me off again, said she was didn't know, and shut the door in my face as I was apologising for taking her time. Why? I had done nothing - maybe it was my American accent, but she was glaring at me from the moment she opened the door. I feel the need to buy a fish, let is ripen a couple days, and put it though her mailslot in an envelope addressed to the lady of the house. And one more: yesterday, a bunch of friends and I lost an Aerobie in a tree next to the university hall property they live on. It was above someone's garden, but the garden wasn't attached to a house, and it was unclear whose it was. There was no one about, so I climbed onto the wall next to the tree, and we tried retrieving it with sticks, and then tossing a ball at it. No luck. At one point, my friend on the ground (public space, not the garden) looked up and saw someone's face in an upper window. "Is this your garden?" he asked, indicating the garden, and the person. She shook her head, but gave no more information. We tossed the ball a couple more times (we were doing NO harm to the garden, being very careful), and she emerged from her house, scowling. Did she ask us to leave? well yes. But notin so many words. Her first words to us were, "Bugger off." Her second words were the same. Then she said it was her garden, and we should fuck off. We didn't even bother trying to explain, and left immediately without argument, but she still followed us the fence and swore at us. Again, why? Does it make these peoples' days better to be nasty? Does it fulfill some kind of fantasy? Give them a feeling of power? What? I don't get it. -J |
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02 May 01 - 01:23 PM (#453955) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Bert Continue here |
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02 May 01 - 01:33 PM (#453970) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: JudeL On the "free" gift thing, I want to know how they can call it that when often in order to get your so called "free gift" you first have to buy lots of things and then send money for postage and packaging. If you are exchanging all that its not a gift and it's certainly not free! |
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02 May 01 - 01:52 PM (#453987) Subject: RE: BS: Knickers in a Twist From: Clinton Hammond Idiots on BIKES!! The sidewalkis for pedestrains, and the road is for vehicles... a bike is a CHILDS TOY, and should be kept in the yard with the rest of them... Bike paths are the answer, but the trouble then becomes keeping idiot pedestrains running their dogs or pushing thier damn strollers around on them!! Be where you're SUPPOSED TO BE and STAY THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!!! |