View Full Version : Why do people upspeak?
The Black Adder
23-11-2011, 20:10
When my sentence?... when spoken?.... Lifts up?.... Even though it's not a question?
This is really getting my goat. It seems to have crossed the pond from America but I believe it's origins are from Australia. I can also understand people who are not too good at a certain language having this raise of affliction too but why are 40 year olds doing this?
I want to know why people are all of a sudden taking up this really annoying and patronising way of speaking. Who said it was cool?
If it's not a question, don't make it one.
It's not big and it certainly does not make you sound intelligent or is that the reason?, no self confidence or self respect?... Maybe.
The Grand Wazoo
23-11-2011, 20:18
It seems to have crossed the pond from America but I believe it's origins are from Australia
And East Anglia, matey!
Reid Malenfant
23-11-2011, 20:23
Yeah I'm from East Angular to ya know :ner:
Sorry Joe but I'm not quite following you... Perhaps you could explain things to a simpleton :eyebrows:
The Black Adder
23-11-2011, 20:28
lol... Don't think it's East Anglia's fault.
Not sure if I can... it's like me asking you a question, my voice would raise up in pitch as I end my sentence and so making it a question... even though it's not. This makes you want to agree or confirm... but you don't have to and don't need to because it's not a question..
Clear as mud... lol
Reid Malenfant
23-11-2011, 20:33
Ah, yes I'm with you now ;) I have no idea why people do it but I think it'd annoy me as much as it obviously does yourself :eyebrows:
Luckily they don't let me out much so I haven't been forced to kick anyone in the groin for this kind of behaviour - yet :D
Thing Fish
23-11-2011, 20:33
I certainly recognise it as an Australian trait and it is annoying as I keep expecting another part of the sentence...:scratch:
Most of the most annoying inflections come from across the pond via TV and Film.
Dress sense is my bugbear. In American prisons they took inmates belts off them to stop them doing themselves harm. As a result their trousers used to hang low. This has sadly transfered over here as I often see teenagers walking around, trousers halfway down their arse with belts on...!!!
The Black Adder
23-11-2011, 20:40
I certainly recognise it as an Australian trait and it is annoying as I keep expecting another part of the sentence...:scratch:
Most of the most annoying inflections come from across the pond via TV and Film.
Dress sense is my bugbear. In American prisons they took inmates belts off them to stop them doing themselves harm. As a result their trousers used to hang low. This has sadly transfered over here as I often see teenagers walking around, trousers halfway down their arse with belts on...!!!
lol.. really?... I didn't know that.
Yeah a lot of 'Air-Heads' upspeak... especially Valley girls but I want to know why people take it up. I know a guy who used to speak normally and a nice chap he is too but now he does this 'up swing' and I simply cannot listen to him. He even does it speaking at conferences of which nobody says anything apart from under their breath afterwards... A very British thing to do I suppose, don't want to hurt the chaps feelings n all that. But it's not doing him or anyone else any favors.
It's a way saying something you're not sure of how it'll be taken and you don't want to be controversial. Overall it's a sign of insecurity.
Blame Neighbours, Kylie and Jason etc.
And East Anglia, matey!
Oi! I live in East Anglia, though I was born and educated in Bristol. That might not be seen as an improvement, but my parents did pay for my private education and I had elocution lessons.
The Grand Wazoo
23-11-2011, 23:25
I'm not making any stereotyped comments on folks from East Anglia, merely commenting on the accent that some folks have which often raises the voice at the end of a sentence as described above. Some people say that the Australian accent is close to how people from East Anglia spoke when the colonialisation started.
............and I'm not accusing you of all being criminals & convicts either!
I'm not making any stereotyped comments on folks from East Anglia, merely commenting on the accent that some folks have which often raises the voice at the end of a sentence as described above. Some people say that the Australian accent is close to how people from East Anglia spoke when the colonialisation started.
............and I'm not accusing you of all being criminals & convicts either!
Or of being inbred either! :eyebrows: (Though I think that possibly applies east of Norwich.)
Reid Malenfant
23-11-2011, 23:31
Or of being inbred either! :eyebrows: (Though I think that possibly applies east of Norwich.)
Try Wisbech ;)
The Grand Wazoo
23-11-2011, 23:38
Or of being inbred either!
That was the stereotype I was trying not to mention!!!
The Vinyl Adventure
23-11-2011, 23:49
AQI i call it...
Australian Question Intonation
Although a little mooching on the internet will tell you that is probably inaccurate
Something that i think has come here from antipodean soaps (and maybe croc dundee) is shortening of all manner of words that didn't need shortening!
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/aussie-slang-why-we-shorten-barbie-gday-and-footy.htm
Or of being inbred either! :eyebrows: (Though I think that possibly applies east of Norwich.)
Well that's you off my Christmas card list - not that I can write them anyway, what with my webbed hands and being too busy trying to pull my cousin! :lol:
Well that's you off my Christmas card list - not that I can write them anyway, what with my webbed hands and being too busy trying to pull my cousin! :lol:
Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa! :o
The Black Adder
24-11-2011, 10:18
Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa! :o
Language Timothy! :)
I thought the habit was American? Funny you should mention this, as I was just watching a program on the TV about London and they had this young girl on there talking this way. I'm with you Joe, I dislike it and work with 'yoof's' who talk like it all the time, especially one of the girls - it seems to me it's the girls more than the guys?
But like it or not, language is an evolving entity and constantly changes, but it still drives me nuts :rolleyes:
The Black Adder
24-11-2011, 12:43
lol... Yoof... Like... OMG?
Yeah, I think it's mostly from America to be honest. Let's just hope that it's a passing fad and I guess there will always be insecure feeling people.
It's the people who should know better that wind me up... lol
freefallrob
24-11-2011, 12:52
Yep i'd go with the America thing, my sister went out there a good few years ago for a few months and came back 'talking up' :doh:.
Teenagers seem to do it, very annoying......
The Black Adder
24-11-2011, 13:19
I think we are just too polite and British to actually stop someone in their tracks and tell them to stop... lol
But we should me thinks.
I think we are just too polite and British to actually stop someone in their tracks and tell them to stop...
Lol, well I guess you haven't been around me much Joe! But then I'm just a grumpy, intolerant and opinionated old git who is a little too free when it comes to speaking my mind (it always gets me into trouble). But you are right, most folk just shy away, moan about it later and read the Daily Mail, instead of tackling something head-on :wheniwasaboy:
worthingpagan
24-11-2011, 13:26
Lol, well I guess you haven't been around me much Joe! But then I'm just a grumpy, intolerant and opinionated old git who is a little too free when it comes to speaking my mind (it always gets me into trouble). :wheniwasaboy:
:lol: Honesty is the best policy
bobbasrah
24-11-2011, 13:55
:lol: Honesty is the best policy
Hmmm. Explains a lot about finance houses, politicians, and indeed political correctness. Honesty, policy, in the same sentence.....
Funny thing is the style of which you speak, is the correct form in many languages, including Romanian....
Perhaps instead of adopting french and latin phrases to imply intelligence as in previous generations, the younger ones are simply cutting straight to the culture with english as the vehicle..... Or should that be culcha?:scratch:
OMG! Y U NO LIEK L33T SPEAK?
Haz u no teh language skillz FTW.
I find it I tres interesting that some don’t seem to have any reservations about adopting “lol” into their language, or as Robert mentions the use of French or Latin, yet go feckin ape shite about accents and intonations ;)
Ce’st la vie eh.
I can’t pretend I’m any more tolerant, just get pissy about different things :lolsign:
RochaCullen
24-11-2011, 14:21
I recall a little rant from Rory McGrath, I think it might have been part of the series "Grumpy Old Men" in which he started complaining about this new and irritating habit.
He gave it the pseudo grammatical moniker of "Moronic interogative". I thought it was very funny.
Nathan
WOStantonCS100
24-11-2011, 18:10
Hmmmm... :scratch: That's funny. I've lived in America for (decades :rolleyes:) and have not run into "upspeakers" with any regularity, in the southeast and up and down the east coast. Twisted slang, on the other hand, and catch phrases and words like "epic" are annoyingly overused. Admittedly, with the government constantly pulling funding, an ever deteriorating public education system turns out graduates who can barely recognize much less diagram a sentence. I do occasionally see youths walking around with their trousers around their ankles from time to time; but, that's a small demographic who are relatively few in number (considering the population) and generally regarded as idiots who will suffer spinal problems later in life. Many school districts have adopted dress codes.
However, I can completely understand the aforementioned perception if it is mostly obtained from the media. One thing the OWS protests has undoubtedly shown is that mainstream media is no indicator of anything, really. It certainly does not speak for or represent the majority of citizens. The media perpetuates images they want to capitalize on. The truth of what one would see on the streets is quite often, altogether, different. From one man's perch... ...then again, I don't spend any appreciable time with the television, either.
The Black Adder
24-11-2011, 18:56
OMG! Y U NO LIEK L33T SPEAK?
Haz u no teh language skillz FTW.
I find it I tres interesting that some don’t seem to have any reservations about adopting “lol” into their language, or as Robert mentions the use of French or Latin, yet go feckin ape shite about accents and intonations ;)
Ce’st la vie eh.
I can’t pretend I’m any more tolerant, just get pissy about different things :lolsign:
yeah but you don't actually say 'lol' in actual real conversations.. text abbreviation are another thing all together.
The Black Adder
24-11-2011, 19:00
Hmmmm... :scratch: That's funny. I've lived in America for (decades :rolleyes:) and have not run into "upspeakers" with any regularity, in the southeast and up and down the east coast. Twisted slang, on the other hand, and catch phrases and words like "epic" are annoyingly overused. Admittedly, with the government constantly pulling funding, an ever deteriorating public education system turns out graduates who can barely recognize much less diagram a sentence. I do occasionally see youths walking around with their trousers around their ankles from time to time; but, that's a small demographic who are relatively few in number (considering the population) and generally regarded as idiots who will suffer spinal problems later in life. Many school districts have adopted dress codes.
However, I can completely understand the aforementioned perception if it is mostly obtained from the media. One thing the OWS protests has undoubtedly shown is that mainstream media is no indicator of anything, really. It certainly does not speak for or represent the majority of citizens. The media perpetuates images they want to capitalize on. The truth of what one would see on the streets is quite often, altogether, different. From one man's perch... ...then again, I don't spend any appreciable time with the television, either.
The last time I was in San Fran and California I heard more people talk this way than ever... Not everyone of course.
A friend told me he had always thought it came from comedy's like Friends and Sex in the City.. Never watched either myself.
Maybe they should show 'On the Buses' in the US... Nyah, nyah, nyah!
WOStantonCS100
24-11-2011, 19:17
The last time I was in San Fran and California I heard more people talk this way than ever... Not everyone of course.
Yes, but Californian's aren't Americans. They're from another planet, entirely. :lolsign: Well, now that I've pissed off my friends on the west coast...
:eyebrows: Seriously, I do have a few friends from Cali; but, most of them (those I associate with) are educated and cultured enough to eschew the ridiculousness of pop culture.
It reminds me of "ebonics". Intelligent "black" persons just don't speak like that. They actually run from it. Nevertheless, every TV show you see perpetuates these ridiculous stereotypes. That all southerners are backwoods, George Jones luvin', hill folk is another one. There are always weak-minded individuals who will live up to the lowest perception of themselves. That's what "sells". No one goes to a comedy club to hear how fascinating and cerebral someone is. That grabs no headlines. Ahhh, the human condition.
That's funny. I've lived in America for (decades :rolleyes:)
I always assumed you to be American, Biff - where did you hail from originally, if you don't mind me being nosey? :)
WOStantonCS100
24-11-2011, 19:51
I always assumed you to be American, Biff...
Well, that's disappointing. :lolsign: Allow me to flip the record, first, (Pat Metheny - Orchestrion) and I'll answer that.
Oh, and while l am at it, another saying saying that drives me up the wall is... can l get? Not Could l please have, can l get:spank:
Oh, and while l am at it, another saying saying that drives me up the wall is... can l get? Not Could l please have, can l get:spank:
+1 :steam:
WOStantonCS100
24-11-2011, 20:09
Don't want to thread crap because the OT certainly isn't about me. However, to answer the question in a way that hopefully relates back to the OT, I'll admit to being birthed in New York City/Manhattan. It really is an understatement to say that NYC is a complete melting pot of peoples from all over the world. As such languages get mangled and mutilated in the worst ways; but, usually not for the sake of fashion. Most are just trying to find the common ground and a way to converse with each other; to gain an understanding (neverminding the completely corrupt nature of the local government/Wall Street such as it has become). I'm speaking of the people.
Upspeaking reminds me of the video of Mr. Susumu Sakuma, whom I well repect. Yet, it's a bit much for me to see him nod "incessantly" when he speaks. But... different culture, different way of communicating or maybe just a quirk. Granted that's nothing like the silliness of ending every sentence with a "?". One thing is for sure, fads fade. Idiacy is always recognized for what it is and usually, over time, is relegated to the backs of our minds.
Oh, and while l am at it, another saying saying that drives me up the wall is... can l get? Not Could l please have, can l get:spank:
I'm forever saying "no, she will get it for you..." but it often goes right over our students' heads.
My worst bugbear is the use of the word 'like' sprinkled into every sentence. I'm afraid I make students ask their question again without using the word. They find it very difficult. Grumpy old git, me? ;)
And what about "arksed" instead of asked - aaaaggggghhhhhh! :steam:
Reid Malenfant
24-11-2011, 20:17
My worst bugbear is the use of the word 'like' sprinkled into every sentence. I'm afraid I make students ask their question again without using the word. They find it very difficult. Grumpy old git, me? ;)
Oh hell, that gets on my nerves as well :steam:
Not grumpy, but old git maybe :eyebrows: I guess I'm in the same club even if I'm a bit younger :D
Stratmangler
24-11-2011, 20:19
My worst bugbear is the use of the word 'like' sprinkled into every sentence. I'm afraid I make students ask their question again without using the word. They find it very difficult. Grumpy old git, me? ;)
I know what you mean, like ;)
WOStantonCS100
24-11-2011, 20:20
It's slang run amuck. It's one thing to speak that way after a few :cool: and to get a laugh. Sadly, it's becoming more prevalent in the work place among, so called, professionals. Come to mention it, it's also become acceptable to hire/promote college graduates who, literally, can't spell !!! I'm not talking about the inevitable typo. These folks can't spell... at all.
Thing Fish
24-11-2011, 20:21
Or 'innit'.................:steam:
This is all very interesting and pretty much all of it I agree with..... but when I was 17 with long hair and an Afghan coat using phrases like 'far out man', boy did I piss off the 'older' generation :lolsign:
Reid Malenfant
24-11-2011, 20:34
Yes Tim, but you probably were far out at the time :D
bobbasrah
25-11-2011, 07:32
It has been fun reading this, and reminds me of some fashionable buzzwords that were mandatory usage at one stage for those with higher managerial aspirations. My own pet peeve at the time was "basically" since the term enhanced or expanded nothing in the sentence. The momentary delay in flow, presumably intended to imply some form of cerebral reflection, only served to underline the theatricality of it.
A group of us agreed to cough/sneeze with a heavily disguised "bullshit" whenever a buzzword was used, and it became a weekly and increasingly popular game at "Team" meetings and announcements. As word of the game spread in the offices, speakers who once sputtered to a halt having lost the thread under a chorus of sneezes and coughs, simply but sheepishly conveyed apologies to the audience...
When someone really did sneeze in the audience thereafter, the smile on the speaker's face said it all....
Moving forward....
AGHHHHHHH
The use of 'myself' instead of 'me', 'ourselves' instead of 'us', e.g 'Please report your findings back to myself', 'you will need to let ourselves know' and so on. Does my head in.
And office 'bullshit' words and phrases - don't get me started! We will have to touch base on that one at some point ;)
Haselsh1
25-11-2011, 13:54
The use of 'myself' instead of 'me', 'ourselves' instead of 'us', e.g 'Please report your findings back to myself', 'you will need to let ourselves know' and so on. Does my head in.
And office 'bullshit' words and phrases - don't get me started! We will have to touch base on that one at some point ;)
Don't forget to 'keep me up to speed' on that one...!!!
;)
Just what the f*** does that actually mean...?
Careful or we'll need some blue sky thinking outside of the box.
Careful or we'll need some blue sky thinking outside of the box.
And we will have to ensure that we cascade that information down to our teams...
And we will have to ensure that we cascade that information down to our teams...
I get that one all the time and when did 'provide' become 'deliver'?
bobbasrah
25-11-2011, 14:06
Don't forget to 'keep me up to speed' on that one...!!!
;)
Just what the f*** does that actually mean...?
It involves anal insertion of rocket, light blue touchpaper and retire....:eyebrows:
And don't forget - you are NOT deleting stuff you don't need anymore, you are 'performing a data-cleansing operation' :rolleyes:
The Grand Wazoo
25-11-2011, 17:10
I have a colleague who collects examples of jargon and office bullshit and has a list which he constantly dips into to provide a means of taking the piss out of people who use it seriously.
Of course, one has to keep uplisting the data in order to stay ahead of the curve in the volatile dynamic of this rapidly evolving environment.
One of our favourites is 'Indicators of Beaconicity' - would anyone care to translate?
Reid Malenfant
25-11-2011, 17:14
:lolsign: Is it a light or lightbulb?
It's a way saying something you're not sure of how it'll be taken and you don't want to be controversial. Overall it's a sign of insecurity.
+1
Paul
bobbasrah
26-11-2011, 05:11
I have a colleague who collects examples of jargon and office bullshit and has a list which he constantly dips into to provide a means of taking the piss out of people who use it seriously.
Of course, one has to keep uplisting the data in order to stay ahead of the curve in the volatile dynamic of this rapidly evolving environment.
One of our favourites is 'Indicators of Beaconicity' - would anyone care to translate?
I presume that this was intentionally cheek in tongue ??? :mental:
Would it be too much to ask if the most recent extracts could be copied and pasted here? :eyebrows:
As someone who maintained a similar list with intended and perverse definitions in the 90's, I would love to see what corruptions these muppets are spouting nowadays...:rolleyes:
Rare Bird
26-11-2011, 06:07
Changing the subject a bit
I find these days that world is full of self centred ignorant people that are out for one thing only & it's themselves. However i'm not gonna tar everyone with the same brush.
I was up Sheffield yesterday, probably not a good move being the University graduations (very smart they looked in the various gowns) All the best of luck to them...
Anyway back to moaning: in the post office the que area is taped off, walking towards the area to find this middle age woman makes a run for the taped area, runs under the tape to get there just before we did! how bloody ignorant is that? Is there something in her brain that gives her the right to do that? the most amazing thing was the security guard just stood there & let her do it!
Earlier on waiting at Medowhall for the tram, people shoving you out of the way to get on before you, it beggars belief man.
In the pub later on, pushing in at the bar like beers going out of fashion!
AJSki2fly
26-11-2011, 06:40
How about about "fearless feedback" , can you guess who use this?
The Grand Wazoo
26-11-2011, 08:15
Of course, one has to keep uplisting the data in order to stay ahead of the curve in the volatile dynamic of this rapidly evolving environment.
I presume that this was intentionally cheek in tongue ???
Actually, the whole sentence was kind of a horrific homage to the nonsense that is constantly spouted by the idiots who think it makes them look intelligent to speak like that.
Would it be too much to ask if the most recent extracts could be copied and pasted here?
I'll try to remember to get a copy of the list next week.
Try this...
http://www.hobotraveler.com/wankwordbingo.htm
Print it out, and distribute before a meeting. Every time someone uses a word on the list, cross it off. Get 5 and the first one to shout "bingo" is the winner. :)
I did genuinely play this many years ago in an important meeting, with one particularly pious "wank worder" and he was the only one that wasn't amused! :lol:
Nice one, Alex. If I was still at Xerox it would have been 'Bingo' within two minutes of a management presentation.
Try this...
http://www.hobotraveler.com/wankwordbingo.htm
Print it out, and distribute before a meeting. Every time someone uses a word on the list, cross it off. Get 5 and the first one to shout "bingo" is the winner. :)
:
I like the testemonials, particularly this one:
'People are now even listening to the mumblers, thanks to Wank-Words.'
:lolsign:
I'm going to try that one Alex, it will for sure make the person it's aimed at angry, but I'm past caring anymore.
May need a few of his favourites added, like 'delivery', 'overarching', 'cascade it down', 'road map' etc..... but I'm sure I will get some hits there :eyebrows:
This one which really made me cringe in a meeting on Thursday "I want all the ducks lined up in a row before we hit the button." Wanker. :lol:
Oh, and "let's run it up the flagpole and see if it flies." Fu*k off, tw@t. :D
After having worked in the States for about 5 years I get particularly annoyed when some UK middle management (usually 'Program Managers', or trumped up project managers) start using american phrases...:steam:
The last time I was asked to give a 'Ball park figure', my response was '410 feet', the questioner looked confused and replied '410 feet what?'...'That's the distance from the home plate to the "Green Giant" at Wrigley field' was my reply.
FYI Wrigley field is a baseball park, and the green giant is the large back wall
W4nkers!!! ;)
P.S. 'Sing from the same hymn sheet' that's another fecker, there're more clichés in business than football FFS
The Black Adder
26-11-2011, 19:44
"I want all the ducks lined up in a row before we hit the button." Wanker. :lol:
Oh, and "let's run it up the flagpole and see if it flies." Fu*k off, tw@t. :D
Agreed Alex.. I've never heard the first one before and it's a line for the most wanky of wankers... haha... very amusing.
The second is a phrase I've also heard quite a few times of which I've replied.. "what flagpole?... wheres the f*ckin flagpole?.." to which a roar of laughter made the guy feel rather inadequate but we were not the sort of crowd you would say that to so we took the piss... a bit... then a lot.
He was a total Tw*t and needed pulling down a peg or two.
Did I do wrong?.... me thinks not.
The Black Adder
26-11-2011, 19:48
'Sing from the same hymn sheet' that's another fecker, there're more clichés in business than football FFS
Ooooooooooooh.... that really gets me going.
What Hymn sheet?... What hymn?... Who's f*ckin singing? - I'm not, are you sunshine?
Vinyleyes
27-11-2011, 14:25
This thread is well deace .............. :lol: ........
Stratmangler
27-11-2011, 14:32
The last time I was asked to give a 'Ball park figure', my response was '410 feet', the questioner looked confused and replied '410 feet what?'...'That's the distance from the home plate to the "Green Giant" at Wrigley field' was my reply.
FYI Wrigley field is a baseball park, and the green giant is the large back wall
An address given to the Police in "The Blues Brothers" was 1060 W. Addison Street.
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