What would you ban and why? (Definitely tearoom!)

Sam, I was taught by my former employer's IT chief that writing e-mails in upper case was rude. Mind you, as a deaf old git myself, 72 point lower case might be handy...

But you'd be lost without us!

Michael W

Pet hate - those, when in a shop, who say "could I get"

If I ran a fish shop and someone said "Could I get fish and chips" I would say "No, I'll get them for you"

People who complain about 'Americanisms' that are actually long-standing English expressions we have replaced with neologisms and lazy shorthand.

That said, I would also ban 'I could care less'.

Neil

It takes two to tango as they say!.The system works both ways. I'm sure we didn't start saying "issues". I would put that down to "corporate culture" rather than a genuine americanism in the purest sense. 

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 23/08/2016 19:02:40

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Michael,

Issues are a sub-set of "problems" ...

Just put 'issues meaning in english' into a Google search to find some definitions in the reputable dictionaries.

MichaelG.

I don't believe that's what it originally meant, to issue is to go or to send out or exit something.

Michael W

In my line of work "problem" and "issue" weren't synonyms. An issue is a particular type of problem, that is one that you have to do something about. The need for some sort of action promotes a problem to an issue, as opposed to the sort of problems that can be tolerated.

I strongly suspect that this is yet another example of a technical expression finding it's way into ordinary language, perhaps because "issue" is useful shorthand for "important problem". In the same way "strategic issue" means a " problem that's more important than an important problem".

Back in the 70's we had to be careful running a monkey up the flag-pole in case it turned into a somebody saluted situation.

You'll have to forgive me - I've had a long hot day in my workshop...

Dave

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As you wish ... That's your perogrative

MichaelG.

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Edit: the etymology is interesting

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=issue

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 23/08/2016 20:22:57

I always thought it was meant to indicate shouting!!

But clearly the joke has fallen on deaf ears

The term issue rather than a problem came into use especially at work because of some people thinking that calling problems problems was an instance of negative thought. An issue is far more positive - at least according to some people management pundits. So it' supposed to benefit from the power of positive thought and people will go away with a positive frame of mind. Tell them it's a problem and they might worry about it = negative frame of mind.

I have been accused of giving some problem negative aspects by calling it a problem. My reply usually is that a problem to me is a bit like a mathematical puzzle / problem. It's there to be solved. However I gained the impression that if I was talking to more senior management and I used the term issue, even serious issue they for some reason or the other looked to be more happy about it. Probably 'cause they were the people instructing others to use the word issue rather than problem. They were probably told to use the term issue from way way up the management tree.

Afraid this is fact and the use of the word issue rather than problem has become really widespread.

John

I would ban people who go on a riff about something I wasn't talking about! Where did I mention 'issues'?

Hang on a minute! I CAN ban people...

Neil

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Unfortunately true

Pfft. moderators!

Neil mentioned issues; is there a problem with an opportunity to improve delivery of the next one?

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You didn't ... Michael W did

I don't think anyone has implicated you in this nonsense.

MichaelG.

It's a classic case of the "stanford" complex, reaching for the trigger too quickly in a position of authority. From a different angle its rather silly.

Michael W

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Where?

MichaelG.

Three posts earlier than my last post, you got a problem with that or wot?

Off to make a drink now..... grinning as I go

People, generally of the male persuasion, who, in "solidarity" with prisoners in the USA have decided to let us all share the view of their underwear.