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Really minor annoyances

It’s so prevalent that it’s now becoming unnoticeable but now that I have noticed, I’m know I’m going to notice it again - that’s how the brain works. And when I think about it even slightly, it becomes a very minor annoyance.

What am I talking about?: When a tv journalist reports from the scene where something has happened, like a speech, an announcement etc., and whilst they are telling us, and quoting directly, what someone has just said, there’s background or inserted film of the that very same person actually saying it.

They also interrupt a broadcast of a live event to inform us all what’s happening - whilst we’re actually watching and listening to it happening.
I’ll add two more that get on my tits when watching the news.

1. When they’re showing mobile phone footage, inevitably recorded in portrait rather than landscape (why? Do these people go to the pictures and lie down on their side to watch the film?) and behind the phone footage they show a massive out of focus blurred up version of the same footage we’re seeing. Why not just surround with a coloured screen / backdrop / thingy? What does it add seeing a giant unwatchable out of focus amoeba behind the thing we’re supposed to be watching?

2. The word ‘Pontiff’. It’s completely irrational but I fuckin HATE that fuckin word! I also fuckin hate the way it’s some kind of broadcast law that they absolutely MUST use it every fuckin time as a second reference without fail. eg “Pope Leo gave his first mass today. The pontiff spoke in English blah blah blah” Why do they have to do that? Grrrrrrr!
 

I’ll add two more that get on my tits when watching the news.

1. When they’re showing mobile phone footage, inevitably recorded in portrait rather than landscape (why? Do these people go to the pictures and lie down on their side to watch the film?) and behind the phone footage they show a massive out of focus blurred up version of the same footage we’re seeing. Why not just surround with a coloured screen / backdrop / thingy? What does it add seeing a giant unwatchable out of focus amoeba behind the thing we’re supposed to be watching?

2. The word ‘Pontiff’. It’s completely irrational but I fuckin HATE that fuckin word! I also fuckin hate the way it’s some kind of broadcast law that they absolutely MUST use it every fuckin time as a second reference without fail. eg “Pope Leo gave his first mass today. The pontiff spoke in English blah blah blah” Why do they have to do that? Grrrrrrr!

Interesting. As you say, your aversion to the word ‘pontiff’ is irrational, but then some/most of these minor annoyances are.

It interested me enough to look it up. Perhaps it’ll help you if I share?

Pontiff is the more formal way of referring to the Pope but its origin lies in the early days of Roman Christianity when some of the early Popes were referred to by that word. The literal Latin translation is ‘bridge builder’. Makes sense doesn’t it? ‘pont = bridge’ etc. Probably just me but I find etymology quite interesting.

I haven’t helped have I?
 
2. The word ‘Pontiff’. It’s completely irrational but I fuckin HATE that fuckin word! I also fuckin hate the way it’s some kind of broadcast law that they absolutely MUST use it every fuckin time as a second reference without fail. eg “Pope Leo gave his first mass today. The pontiff spoke in English blah blah blah” Why do they have to do that? Grrrrrrr!

My daughter-in-law says pantyhose instead of tights and I absolutely hate the word pantyhose.
 
The constant disregard for the foul throw rule in football matches.
Do you feel better now? 😉





Another contribution - the frequent (mostly Americans on telly) pronunciation of ‘weren’t’ as ‘wer-ent’

Also, while I’m on about that, the frequent use (by Brits mostly) of ‘was’ or ‘wasn’t’ when ‘were’ and ‘weren’t’ are more grammatically correct. (For example “you wasn’t at the pub last night” etc.
 
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I’ll add two more that get on my tits when watching the news.

1. When they’re showing mobile phone footage, inevitably recorded in portrait rather than landscape (why? Do these people go to the pictures and lie down on their side to watch the film?) and behind the phone footage they show a massive out of focus blurred up version of the same footage we’re seeing. Why not just surround with a coloured screen / backdrop / thingy? What does it add seeing a giant unwatchable out of focus amoeba behind the thing we’re supposed to be watching?

2. The word ‘Pontiff’. It’s completely irrational but I fuckin HATE that fuckin word! I also fuckin hate the way it’s some kind of broadcast law that they absolutely MUST use it every fuckin time as a second reference without fail. eg “Pope Leo gave his first mass today. The pontiff spoke in English blah blah blah” Why do they have to do that? Grrrrrrr!
I will raise you the words luggage and customer - I have an irrational annoyance for both of those words going back to my pre-teens. I don`t know why but I hate those words :lol:
 
People who press the button to use the crossing, but walk across anyway when there is an opening before the green man has even come on.
 
People who press the button to use the crossing, but walk across anyway when there is an opening before the green man has even come on.
People who press the button on the crossing but continue walking along the same side without even crossing the road.
 
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