The dismissive “whatever” is the most annoying word in the country, according to a new survey.
It led “no offense, but” and the all-time most hated, “like,” in the latest Marist Poll.
“‘Whatever’ irritates 38 percent of Americans followed by ‘no offense, but’ with 20 percent. ‘You know, right’ is irksome to 14 percent of residents nationally as is ‘I can’t even, 14 percent. ‘Huge’ grates on the nerves of 8 percent of Americans, and 5 percent are unsure,” said Marist.
“Whatever” has been used by both sides in the political wars this year, each meaning to dismiss the other side’s legitimacy. It is the word used often by the comics character Garfield.
It was the second year “whatever” was the most annoying.
It’s particularly annoying to older Americans, and especially to blacks and Latinos, said Marist.
Millennials, however, hate more “I can’t even.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
