David Sedaris on irritating word choices
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- The humorist has noticed some annoying habits in the way people address one another.
#davidsedaris
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If you're old enough to remember: this piece is exactly like the pieces Andy Rooney used to do at the end of 60 minutes.
I remember Andy Rooney, since my dad and late grandfather we’re avid watchers of 60 Minutes. The show hasn’t been the same without him, or Bob Simon, Morley Safer, and Mike Wallace (after he retired and later died), nor the interviews have been that bright, but the show still hasn’t lost a beat, since the show still delivers its main potential: to share the news of what’s happening and what’s trending.
Well said, Jeff.
HE even has the same whine.
Spot on! David Sedaris has become Andy Rooney.
@@chrisfinch8637 It would be amazing to see Sedaris pick up the Rooney send off semi-regularly. I would be thrilled.
I just love his use of language...he creates little curious creatures out of words
I love your comment.
@@japhyryder66 thanks :)
perfect!
A perfect description of our David...
“Perfect” is our version of “brilliant”. Everything is “brilliant” in the UK
Are the Irish also known to use that word often? I ask because there was a GUINNESS television advert in America about 20 years ago where that word was repeatedly used by the caricatures of two Irish brewery workers...
@@trentpettit6336 Not so much.
Fkn brilliant, mate.
I’ve been hearing the use of ‘boss’ for 15 years now. It never really goes away. It flares. ‘Dude’ never went away either. It’s a classic.
Back in the day my younger cousin was giving me guff for saying 'dude' and then it became ubiquitous.
A year or two later, he was using it and I burst out laughing. I remember breaking his balls over it and started WAY overusing it whenever I was speaking with him.
Heh. I've thought about that in maybe 40 years. Yo, dude, has it really been that long?
Only to Bruce
'bro' tends to flare up a bit too often
This man deserves ALL the prizes.
I love the term mate. It makes me feel like we have kinship.
Cheers, mate. 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇳🇿
Me, too, I love when a Brit or Aussie calls me "mate."
I do to. It doesn't fly here in Chicago.
Wordplay in general is lacking in most of the US. It seems to have died off quite a bit after WW2.
@@JoshMaxPower RIght? It's cheerful. Even in a menacing statement e.g. "Look mate, do that again and I'll cut . . .".
Much as I enjoyed listening to this, I realised I also enjoyed having a chance to really study David Sedaris's face, having listened to him for hours on end for years!
Perfect! 😂
Have you seen the reading he did in clownface and costume?
I've been called boss for at least 25 years with it occurring more and more as time passes (I'm 64). My response has always been, "You don't work for me, feel free to call me Tim."
Sadly, there's a very tragic historical origin of that word being used in that way... have you ever noticed that mainly men of a certain "color" in America are in the habit of using "boss" in that way... think about it...
Like the reply to 'sir' : "that's my dad you're thinking of"
Are you a writer?
I was just called boss at a drive through yesterday. It always almost bothers me, but it's so corny it half amuses me, too.
David is one righteous dude.
Oh don’t call him “dude” or he’ll get his panties in a bunch!
Perfect, Boss!
Really agree about 'boss'. Simultaneously deferential and sarcastic, it fleetingly makes me think of plantations in a way I did not ask for.
Explain that part about plantations please...
Thanks for making me laugh!
He's perfect for CBS
Sunday Morning
Per usual, I really enjoyed this segment, David.
I was going to list the words I don't care for but after seeing everyone else's I'll just say I'm happy when anyone just acknowledges me with a greeting.
Ha. right?
David Sedaris is a national treasure. Every time I fly I think about his book passage about people working on a farm and then immediately (without changing clothes) head to the airport. 😂
I've always replied, "Sir or ma'am or yes sir or yes ma'am when asked a question or as a positive response. It's called manners. I've been around almost 60 years and still do that to the day. Being respectful of others was taught to me very early on. By the way, I always smile when responding.
Gayyyyeee
@@remingtonpenaranda7762 so you have a problem with that? What are you afraid of? Why even mention it? Don't like gay people?
I hate it when people call me sir. It means they think I'm old.
@@lynnturman8157 No it doesn't. It means they're being polite.
I am so with you on this! I hated when people would say “Duh!” as a response. Or women who would give an unkind opinion and end with “Just sayin’”, like it somehow okayed the fact they were unkind. Growing up, I had a friend who had some hearing loss, and would often say “Pardon?” I picked up the habit (it’s so much better than “Huh?”), and my kids all picked it up from me. Then there’s the things people say that don’t mean what they think…”I could care less.” Really? So you DO care some, then?
I hate "just sayin'" -- so passive-aggressive. An ex-friend used it right after she said something hurtful. I should have responded with, "Go f*** yourself. Just sayin'."
@@Overdale LOL.
@@Overdale Same here, and I want to use that response too, but I haven't yet. Maybe I'll start doing that :D Cheers!
"just saying" drives me up the wall. It doesn't undo that the person was just rude, it ices the cake with passive-aggressive rudeness.
Couldn't agree more about "just saying".
People who use that phrase seem like the type who always think they're the victim. Drives me nuts.
I literally loved this.
😉
LOL.
Perfect.
So you were LITERALLY in love with the presentation. I loathe it when people use the word LITERALLY... when it is patently untrue.
@@teecee1567 Literally is so overused. It's my new pet peeve, ha
When I'm addressed as "Boss" by someone that does not work for me, I ask, "What prison did you spend time in?" It is a term prisoners use in addressing their guards. (my apologies for not reading all the responses if someone already clicked in on this meaning).
Perfect!
Dude, dude is never out of style. As for chief it drives me nuts. Always a treat to hear your take on life David. May I call you David?
Dude is quite out of style, and overly familiar. It's like "guys"; it implies a casual relationship with other men, but that's all.
I agree! Everyone I know is always saying "perfect" for everything and it's annoying
Boss is rooted in the Jim Crow South.
Yes!!! I'm glad to not be the only one watching this video who knew that fact!
Say more … I didn’t know this. I believe Man was an antidote to boy
I absolutely detest being called "Boss "
My dad called men Johnny and women Hun and today my grandsons call me Bro just perfect!
i love this guy
I detest and hate, "Peeps." It doesn't sound grown up nor professional; too familiar when the user doesn't know a group of people. So annoying!
Or, not nor.
totes
Totally!!! Perfect, David...
I haaaaate being called “boss,” especially by people older than I am 😬
Sorry to hear that, boss.
Reminds me of the David Letterman game “ Stop calling me Chief “
He’s right about almost everything. “Dude” never went away - now collegiate and academic types often say it to try to sound like they are of the people, much like they do with “y’all.”
As a Southerner I appreciate people trying to use y'all but if you didn't grow up using it, it just comes off phony to my ear.
@@strick9teaexactly!
Love him. ❤❤❤
Why do they call it taking a dump when you’re not taking anything at all, you are actually leaving something.
“Who ARRRE these people?”
I've never been called boss. But this vaguely reminded of a Letterman bit with Rupert called "Stop calling me Chief!"
Classic! I get the 'Boss' term quite a bit from the youngsters. Do I look like Bruce Springsteen? Oh well, could be worse: 'Pops'.
Did you know Diana Ross made a disco song called POPS WE LOVE YOU in 1978 and then a song called THE BOSS in 1979?
Ive been thinking about "perfect" a lot lately. The overuse reminds me of what's happened to the words "epic" and "literally"
Your comment is iconic.
@@bozzskaggs112 this is everything
Sometimes someone will call me “big guy” in a similar way. Though I am literally a big guy, somehow it’s still sarcastic and smug.
Oh my.
I’m surprised you didn’t include the over-use of the word like. It’s like in every single sentence.
When I met Penn Jillette after the Penn and Teller show, he called me Boss. I asked why and he responded that since I was the one (of many) who paid his salary he meant it as a term of respect. The feeling, at least at that moment, that he worked for me.
VERY GOOD !
The one that always bugs me is when people describe something as “most unique” or “very unique“. *Nothing* can be more unique or less unique than anything else that is also unique. That’s why it’s called “unique”.
That was my mother’s pet peeve.
Yeah, I don't think anything can be "almost perfect" either.
“Very, very” or “really really” both make my skin crawl.
@@fraziermichaelj ME TOO!!!!
I’d like to add “No worries”, instead of “you’re welcome”. I wasn’t worried, I was just thanking you for what you’re getting paid to do anyway, being polite. I find it extremely annoying.
I just want to be called sweetie. Is that too much to ask?
No "Sweetie", it's not. 😉
@@A711-m1d Thank you darling!
@@LC-le9ew Anytime Precious! 😉
Growing up in the South as a kid, then teenager, much older women sometimes called me “sugar” and I liked it.
@@lewstone5430 Definitely, yes.
I find the overuse of the word “epic” very irritating.
“Last night was epic!”
And these people that end their sentence with “everything”
Example: “this video of a cat waving goodbye is everything”
🤔🤔🤔
He’d be a good replacement for Andy Rooney.
He is. I don't watch Sunday Morning, I assume he's not weekly like AR was on 60 Min.
“Kudos” drives me crazy. “Absolutely “..”a lot to unpack”…very annoying..”throwing shade”…”namaste”…
And I thought I was the only one who noticed and thought of those and other clichés
Thank you!
As long as it's not profanity, I don't really mind .... Boss just reminds me that I'm an Old Guy....and that's OK I'm still around....for a while. 😉
Not having died yet is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
Still better than bein called baby at age 50.
Unless it’s your name
@@joelyazell7380 which it is not
Oh I like being called "Baby", it's a term of endearment usually used by older women of color...and I love them... they're precious.
@@A711-m1d I'm not a black womans baby, I am a white womans baby. For a black woman to claim me as their baby when my own mother has done more to raise me and love me would be a dishonor to her, my own mother.
@@A711-m1d my mother raised me to be independent, not a baby...
This just really hit home for me, (late to the party, I know), thank you so much, David!!💖👏🏼💖✌🏼
I was in law enforcement, and anyone who had been inside had interactions with an officer on the street, they would refer to them as Boss. I always cringed because it felt like they used it sarcastically. A way to appear deferential and not at the same time. Who knows if that’s where the word Boss the way it is used in our language today came from. I just know it seems to carry a negative connotation with it’s use.
David- that was Awesome man! Although I hate when people say “No worries” instead of thank you.
Thank you for addressing the smirk behind "boss", sir.
“Perfect” is driving me crazy!
I love him
Thankfully, I haven't noticed the word "perfect" here much. In the past year or so I've noticed the British "spot-on" worming it's way into U.S. vocabulary. The Brits use "gorgeous" it ways we don't. It's a prime word they use to describe how food tastes.
Gorgeous for food? Hasn't made it to Sussex (thankfully!)
Thanks, chief!
"hi how are you as a greting" drives me mad when a simple "Hi" is totally sufficient especially when the person asking me is walking right past. such gaslighting
Yeah they act shocked when u actually tell them how you are. Don't ask if you don't want to know!
I think absolutely is over used and often used inappropriately.
This was totally spot on & perfect! 😉
This commentary is nearly perfect. Did Mr. Sedaris find that perfect is sometimes interchanged with exactly? I am convinced 30 (40?) and unders don't know the definition of icon, epic or literally. The first two are weakened by the current pop usage and the way many misuse literally, (really!?) almost demands a high five to the face. I know. Right? Or is it "I know, right?. I blame the wildly popular sitcom Friends for Iknowright and also for the epidemic of turning a declarative into an interrogative with upspeak.
It turns out the sitcom Friends may have played a role in the incredible upswing in upspeak but British linguist Robin T. Lakoff noted this in 1975. The only reason I know that is because I took 30 seconds to Google it. I'm not that smart nor am I pedantic. I tend toward being precise and expecting, hoping for the same from others. I admit it here to say it before the trolls come out under the cover of internet darkness.
Now, will someone recommend a good site for learning English grammar with an emphasis ons diagramming sentences?
Why is the word "literally" not mentioned?
“INFORMAL
used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true.“
Igotcherbak. I mentioned it.
Perfect is much less annoying than AWESOME!
I love it. And I don't know what to do with, "boss" or "chief" either. I get it from people I've been nothing but polite and respectful towards. It always makes me wonder if they resent delivering my package or taking my order. We need to come up with a response that shows how silly it is. Maybe, "I'm not Native American/in the Mob, so please just call me sir." As for "perfect", maybe respond by rubbing your hands together and saying, "Excellent...!" in your best cartoon villain impression.
I’ve had unique shares of saying “Sir”, or “Mister”, as well as “Miss”, or “Ma’am”, from time to time.
Sometimes they call me “young man”, or even “Sir”, “Buddy”, or “My Friend”, etc., in which I don’t mind, but “Boss”, “Bro/Brah” is a little too forward, since I’m not trying to be that close with them, when I’m trying do a simple favor, for them.
On the outside, I’ll be polite, even if I’m a little offended on the inside. I know some people might feel the same way, when I accidentally forget their name, but if I see them on a regular basis (and have a solid memory), I won’t have to call them those first few names, but by their actual name, in which makes me feel not just formal, but on point with getting to know them.
Ina Garden’s long-time use of “perfect!” drives my husband crazy!
As long as every recipe from her books continue to be incredibly...wonderful I'll overlook her imperfect use of that word.
She's pretty annoying regardless.
Perfect, boss!
Thanks Bro
This dude would make the perfect boss.
Thank you
I love David so much. I have all of his books. On the subject at hand. My husband hates being called dude. It makes him cringe. 😂 I might sometimes call him dude just to get a rise out of him.
Wonderful writer. I like the term "mate', used for buddies.
Mate is entirely variable. Usually just as he described - perfectly benign - but the tone can change it entirely.
Yes! Or when someone younger than me calls me "hun". NO!!!
Are you from Baltimore?
The term of address I get the most these days is. "Sweetie.'' Why does every cashier and restaurant server in American call me - a grumpy 69-year-old man - "Sweetie?" Aside from the fact that I am quite the opposite of "sweet," the word diminishes whatever shred of dignity I still cling to when I, for example, get trapped in one of those self-serve checkout machines. What I'm trying to say, as sweetly as possible, is that Sweetie is ageist. The problem with self-serve check-out lines is not me. It's them. They don't work, dammit. So stop trying to assuage my ego with this awful word and fix the thing.
In the UK if someone calls you "Boss" it often means they've spent time in prison. It's a slang term used to address officers to their faces.
Obviously, very different terms are used in other circumstances.
"i love that for you"
Boss is annoying because while some strange people say it in a genuine, friendly way, others lace it with sarcasm. Yeah, you're the boss, aren't you? We are not equal
Glad he mentioned "Chief". That was a favorite in NYC, for a certain generation.
Lol, this is me like all the time 🤣🇺🇸👍❤️
100% agree
I consider and use it in a condescending way. Usually towards elitist and those that look down towards blue collar workers.
I detest political jargon, whatever it is. Hearing someone say ‘woke’, or ‘fake news’, is like fingernails on a black board. Don’t we have enough authentic words in our language that we use? Why do we have to resort to these ridiculous tribal slang words? They’re not even pretty sounding words.
I hear that often. Sir works for me if I don't know them. AJL
This was just . . . perfect! I still hear "awesome," so maybe "perfect" comes next?
So annoying. "I'll have a black tea, please. "Awesome!" Really, service staff person? It is awesome that I ordered a hot tea? Really? So what's left to say when the Angel Michael comes, shining opalescent gold, 50 feet tall, swooping down from the ether? Now, that's "awesome."
I think my peeve is how, mostly in the media, people use singular verbs with plural nouns. Lol, drives me crazy! : -)
I'm particular about words too.
So good.
The phrase "Far out" irked me instantly upon hearing it at age 15.
I too cannot stand the use of the word “perfect” as a response!! I used to work with a girl who would respond “Perrrrrfect” all the time. It was irritating!
It still is irritating. Merely reading your words triggered a shudder. Literally.
I can overlook a lot. I'm fine with "boss" and "perfect". Just please stop telling me things are "sexy".
Thanks, Boss Mang!!!🤣🤣😎😎
I think it's people of a certain age, Being closer to Davids age, my response to "Perfect" is "Whats perfect about it?" That leaves those of that other certain age stumped.
For me, it's when someone says, "eckspecially" instead of "especially".
PERFECT, EXACTLY, BOSS.
If only PERFECT could displace AWESOME; if only for five minutes.
You’re not really “correcting” anyone because it’s not a mistake. You’re just expressing your preference for how you want to be addressed.
Agree - I can think of a few others - fantastic! Dude, Dear, guys (especially in mixed when women are also in the group) . . .
"Boss" is offensive because it's patronising and sarcastic. How about the overuse of "super"???
Yo, David, “dude” is still legit. Sir/Ma’am are legacies or carry-overs from the class system used by those of lower social status to address those of whom are of higher social status. It didn’t work reciprocally bud.