Originally Posted By JohnS1 As I believe many of you know, I really detest the misuse of the English language. So, what's with this new trend whereby people don't just say - "do this," but instead say, "go ahead and do this." I have heard this phrase used constantly of late, and just wonder where it came from. People teaching other people to drive say, "now, go ahead and push your foot on the accelerator." Doctors tell their patients, "now, go ahead and say "ah." Lawyers say, "now, I'm going to ask you to go ahead and tell your side of the story." What's with all this going ahead stuff? Is it a slightly advanced version of the phrases "you know?" or "like" or "ummm" which are often found peppered throughout some conversations these days? So, I'm going to ask you all to go ahead and comment on this.
Originally Posted By jonvn Have you gone ahead and finished wrapping your presents yet? I suggest you go ahead and do that before you post on here. We've aleady gone ahead and done that.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I think inserting the phrase 'go ahead' in the example used is an attempt to soften a direct command. Instead of saying "Eat your vegetables," one can say "Go ahead and eat your vegetables." It sounds like permission has been granted, even though the person on the receiving end never asked to eat his asparagus. Or, look at a work situation. Old Way: "I need you to fax that report to Mr. Jensen right away." New Way: "Go ahead and fax that report to Mr. Jensen right away." See? The New Way sounds almost like a job benefit rather than a command. (And with the benefits being offered by most companies now, you have to take what little you get. But I digress...) Saying "Go ahead" makes it seem like it was all the person your are bossing around's idea. You are rewarding their initiative, letting them have it their way. You may want them to close the Petersen deal by Wednesday, but your top salesperson will think they made a promise to you to do so when you tack on "go ahead and..." to the statement. Go ahead and try it, John. You and I both know you want to, so go ahead and try it.
Originally Posted By JohnS1 I'm going to go ahead and ignore everything that all of you just said. (-;
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh My wife always tells me to do things by saying "Would you like to . . ?" Every once in a while, I respond with a "no, but I'll do it for you". I mean, does anyone really want to wash the dishes, or get the clothes out of the laundry, or vacuum the carpets?
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka It depends on how mad I am. Sometimes doing chores while being ticked is kind of fun...or at least theraputic. LOL I don't think I use the phrase "go ahead" very often, if ever.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "My wife always tells me to do things by saying "Would you like to . . ?" Every once in a while, I respond with a "no, but I'll do it for you". I mean, does anyone really want to wash the dishes, or get the clothes out of the laundry, or vacuum the carpets?" LOL. That and "could you do me a favor?"
Originally Posted By peeaanuut <<My wife always tells me to do things by saying "Would you like to . . ?" Every once in a while, I respond with a "no, but I'll do it for you". I mean, does anyone really want to wash the dishes, or get the clothes out of the laundry, or vacuum the carpets?>> I love that part in the break-up when she is all "I want you to want to do the dishes' him: "why would I want to do the dishes?" great stuff but you guys go right on ahead and finish this topic.
Originally Posted By DlandJB Oh no, now I'm going to become hyperaware of it -- I hadn't even noticed. I'm already twitchy from "like" and "know what I mean?"
Originally Posted By JohnS1 I'm going to go ahead and ask all of you to stop saying "like" and "know what I mean?" Know what I mean?
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Whooaaa. Just like go ahead and totallly freak me out you guys. I was like totally born and raised in So Cal and "revert" to talking that way now and then if I don't watch myself. And now, after this thread, I'm all paranoid about how I post. LOL. I will really, really, really try to watch it. I don't even wanna think about all the grammar atrocities I've committed. Sorry. <-- waits for someone to go ahead and rail about emoticons... On topic - I think 2oony has it right. I think "go ahead" is intended as a gentle guide to the hearer but also communicates that the speaker expects action from the hearer and may totally end up going like all homegirl on ya if you don't comply with a certain degree of rapidity.
Originally Posted By barboy This trend isn't terribly new jonvn. "go ahead, make my day" from Clint (Dirty Harry) back in the early '80's
Originally Posted By JohnS1 Except these days, Clint would say: "Okay, now I'm going to go ahead and ask to you to go ahead and, like, make my day. Um, know what I mean?" Dy that time, the guy would have escaped.
Originally Posted By officerminnie Another annoying one is "See what I'm saying?" Um, no, I don't see what you're saying. I hear what you're saying, but I can't really see it.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh One time my boss used the phrase, "I can honestly say" in a letter. I asked him if we wanted to imply that sometimes he said things that were less than honest. The phrase got redlined.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal And what about people who use "literally" when they mean "figuratively"?!?!?!? That drives me crazy! "I literally froze my buns off last night when we were Christmas caroling..." Yeah, right.
Originally Posted By JohnS1 How about "basically..." used every time someone tries to explain something?
