We all have them: expressions or behavior that annoy us. Here is a short list of mine.

1. Radio gasps: Before the words start coming out the interviewer inhales sharply and (to my ears) loudly. Then comes the question. The interviewee takes an even more pronounced and audible inhalation and begins to speak. Folks, breathe quietly on air.
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2. Perhaps it is an effort to sound personable, but when television anchors say something like, “I hope to see you tomorrow night”, I hope they don’t mean that literally. I might be watching the news in my pajamas. One anchor says, “Thank you for the privilege of your presence this evening.” Now that is a sign-off I can dress for comfortably.
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3. The advertisement in various media states “Sale”. Most stores want sales every day. If using the word “sale” means items are marked down or reduced—then say that. Otherwise, “sale” means “open for business” and we hope you will buy.
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4. “If you just joined us.” That is frequently stated after a brief break on a radio interview show. Then the host tells us who that day’s guest is, with whom the conversation has already been in progress. If I am just joining does that mean that I have produced the guest by my tuning in? The use of the conditional “if” is tricky and I may be corrected by a grammarian, but the phrase seems iffy.
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5. Homemade: That is a favorite description particularly of desserts in restaurants. I don’t care where a dessert is made, as long as the space is clean. Surely no one believes the restaurant has a policy of cooking its pies in someone’s home and then delivering them to the restaurant. Or does someone?
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6. “Real People. Not Actors.” This comes to the viewer of television ads when the hope is that we will be impressed that the people enjoying the product are…I am not sure what. But we have been reassured that these people exist. Are actors not real people?
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7. This one is more serious (and invites a longer blog). A young offender is arrested. A decision has to be made: charge the teen as a juvenile or as an adult? The worse the crime, the more likely it is the youth will be tried as an adult. My question: is a crime more adult if it is robbery at gunpoint or if someone is shot? It seems to me it is the immature brain that is at less than full capacity, not an adult fully comprehending consequences.

You may wonder at my list. “Just get over it,” you would wisely say. In the meantime, what are your “pet peeves”? I invite you to share your annoyances by contacting me. I just might post them. Confession is good—so I have heard—for the soul.