The folks at LemonDrop recently asked their readers to write in and share what they felt were the “most irritating” 
words and phrases in current use. Here is the top 10 list they came up with.
10~ How you doin’?
9~ Like.
8~ My Bad.
7~ Whatever.
6~ What’s up?
5~ You know.
4~ Basically.
3~ Awesome.
2~ By and large.
1~ It is what it is.
I admit to be guilty of using the word “basically”… and basically don’t see what the problem is. However, like… uh, like-you know, uh, you know… ummm… like… I TOTALLY get the irritation with “like” and “you know.” Maybe it’s an assignment I had back in a college speech class in which I had to count the “you knows” people use when speaking (especially athletes). That one really irritates me, but I understand the person speaking is NERVOUS and thus doesn’t know that I know that they’ve said “you know” 45 times in 3 minutes.
I get kick out of #10 on the list though. That’s one Richard Windsor (from House of Richard Windsor) likes to say at spanking parties. He realizes it’s a corny thing to say, which is what makes it funny. I think “yo” would have been a better one for that spot. “Anyway” should have made the list too (instead of “basically”… lol).
However, the biggest error on this list is found in the #7 slot. There is *no way* “whatever” should be that low! It is the 
slam dunk #1 on my list. The folks at LemonDrop included a blurb from a reader with each word on the list. Here is what was said about whatever…
“My daughter uses whatever. Even though she’s 40, every time she opens her mouth and utters that word I want to wash her mouth out with soap.” -Skeeter
Well said, Skeeter! And tell you what… once you wash her mouth out, send her my way and I’ll paddle her bottom (even though she’s 40).
It’s used so often these days that most probably don’t notice it, especially when talking with a teenager. When you think about it though… and I have… “whatever” is usually a dismissive statement. It is also immature, sullen and frankly feels a lot like a passive-aggressive “fuck you” to my ears.
I wont name-names but I was recently talking with a friend… one that I have a discipline relationship with. She wanted to take two days off of work… the Monday and Tuesday before her Thanksgiving vacation started. She said there was “nothing to do” because everyone was going into vacation mode (and not starting any new projects and the like) and instead of sitting around doing nothing at work… she’d rather sit around at home doing nothing.
There were a couple of problems with that logic though, which I pointed out. To start with, she was out of sick and vacation days, and thus wouldn’t be paid for the missed days… and she needs the money (like we all do). But beyond that, she’s on thin ice at work (with cutbacks coming) and they did NOT want her missing.
After making those points to her, she tried to argue further. That she didn’t need the money that badly and her boss would understand. I then offered some facts to counter her point of view. This is a civil and polite conversation. I’m listening to her, she’s making her points… I’m making mine. It’s a good back and forth between two adults.
Thing is, the facts have made it obvious that she’s not winning the debate. Instead of admitting that though or just backing off in a polite way, she offers a… “whatever, forget I asked.”
I’m certainly willing to forget she asked, but yea… that “whatever” wont be forgotten.
This young lady will soon get to experience her first “whatever” spanking, which will go a little like this…
-There will be a discussion about the importance of being respectful… especially within any sort of discipline context.
-Pants and panties will be pulled down.
-A hard discipline spanking will be given… plenty long enough to make the point.
-I will then ask, “have you learned your lesson young lady?”
-A “YES” answer will be quickly offered… to which I will reply, “whatever”… and continue spanking.
-The above step will be repeated 2 or 4 times… at which point I’ll ask… “will you be saying whatever to me again?”
And believe it or not, this approach usually works. The “whatevers” quickly become a rare creature.
That’s basically my opinion of the word whatever. 
December 1st, 2009 - 12:09 am
that poooor poooor girl. lol. but you know she is probably from a state where they use the word whatever on a daily basis….so you really should have sympathy on her. just sayin lmao.
December 1st, 2009 - 5:59 am
lol Rheana, of course. I made mistake of saying “whatever” one time to Todd, also. I only did it once though. The spanking pretty much goes how he described it. Every time i told him I had learned my lesson, or wouldn’t do it again, he did reply back “whatever”. He is right, it is irritating to hear. I don’t allow my students to say it to adults or each other, while at school.
December 1st, 2009 - 10:35 am
*Remebers not to say that to Todd* And hopes that Thomas doesn’t soon decide that saying that word gets that kind of spanking. I say it when I get frustrated and dont want to talk anymore. Or when I just feel like it. Poor Cowgirl she uses that word alot.
December 1st, 2009 - 11:35 am
Well, “whatever” is often said in irritation and frustration, as Cookie said, this is true. Sometimes dismissive, if the speaker intends it that way, but not always. I actually don’t see it as dismissive in the way it is described in this post. In the context I am reading, she was done with the conversation once she realized her request was met up against a wall that wasn’t moving…..lol……and decided to withdraw her request, as her also saying “forget I asked” seems to indicate.
What if she had said “nevermind”?
There comes a time when you know you’ve lost a request when the reasons why become redundant. In defense of “whatever, forget I asked” in this context, it’s another way of saying “I’ve heard enough and I don’t want what I requested anymore.” Not a “fuck you”
Was this an off limits word that she knew about beforehand? Did she know how you would interpret any use of the word “whatever”? Is a warning not appropriate? Just curious. In my case it didn’t matter….lol….
I got my last discipline spanking for “whatever”, and YES, I was done with the conversation that was going nowhere and I still fully disagreed with his action. Actually, I used the word “never mind.” as in “oh wait, nevermind, it doesn’t matter.” — being sarcastic as in what I say doesn’t matter to him, so was more of an accusation. Context and intent.
s.
December 1st, 2009 - 1:47 pm
Well, to start with… the word “whatever” is irritating to many people. The LemonDrop survey I shared showed that. And there are other surveys that indicate it is the single most irritating word in the English language… several of them, actually (just google “whatever, irritating”). So, it’s not just me that gets a little pissy about the word.
That said, I don’t consider it an actual cuss word. There are certainly contexts in which it can ’safely’ be used. My thing is… in a ‘discipline setting’ I don’t allow the word… and asking for an exception to a well established rule certainly qualifies as a discipline setting. I don’t make any secret of that fact either. Anyone that is accountable to me in a discipline sense is well aware.
I’m perfectly fine with being respectfully disagreed with. But sarcasm, being dismissive, pretending I don’t listen… yea, those would be issues. And it’s hard for my ears to hear the word “whatever… a sort of verbal eye roll… and not him on one/several of those issues.
I fully admit I might be a touch anal about this. I am more relaxed than others about other things though… and overall, I think I’m pretty laid back and easy to read. Whatever does get me though… and, it is something I will spank for.
~T
December 1st, 2009 - 1:50 pm
… and Cookie… I’d be totally fine with hearing, “I am frustrated and dont want to talk about it anymore.” Wouldn’t promise that the talking would end (though it well might)… but I’m cool with an honest expression of feelings. Throw a “whatever” out there though, and you’re asking me to figure out what it means… and odds are real high I’ll take it as more than simple frustration.
~T
December 1st, 2009 - 2:34 pm
“My Bad” how can that be on the list? I love that saying and use it whenever it is appropriate. Oh well Whatever
Prefectdt
December 1st, 2009 - 4:43 pm
WHATEVER, WHATEVER!!! hehe, just for you Todd
December 1st, 2009 - 4:46 pm
oops, I mean “Yes Sir”…. yes I know, I’m bad. Todd, you know I have to tease you though, right???
December 1st, 2009 - 5:24 pm
I have to admit, I didn’t read the post before I commented the previous two times. I was just teasing Todd because of the history we have with this word. So I will offer another side to this and say, not everyone uses this word in a malicious manner. I have a very sarcastic sense of humor, so for me personally, using the word “whatever” is meant in a sarcastic, playful manner. Never would I use it in the form of “fuck you”. That’s not something I say, and if it were, I would just say it to you; I wouldn’t hide behind another word. FYI, I am not the person Todd will be spanking; I have heard about Todd’s “whatever” spanking before and it doesn’t sound fun. I’m just explaining my use of the word because of Cookie’s comment, “Poor Cowgirl she uses that word alot.” Also, to explain a bit about the two previous comments.
December 1st, 2009 - 5:26 pm
So, you answered my basic question, Todd, which was you have been clear that “whatever” is not acceptable. I was wondering if, when she said it, if she was aware how it would be taken.
s.
December 1st, 2009 - 5:58 pm
My HOH feels the VERY same way about “whatever” as Todd does. The other one he HATES is “duh.” I have found that out the HARD way! NEITHER are acceptable to him…period. I asked him which he hated most…and his reply was NEITHER. I am working quickly to expel them from my vocabulary.
Amanda
December 1st, 2009 - 7:12 pm
Cowgirl ~ I don’t mind a reasonable amount of teasing and playing around… including with the word whatever. That obviously includes girls I don’t have any sort of discipline relationship with… but, it also includes those I do. Heck, I can take a playful “fuck you” and I’ve been flipped off more times than Richard Nixon. I can take a joke…
I’m talking about within a discipline setting… where I do believe a certain amount of respect should be shown. My thoughts on “whatever” extend to a serious conversation too. But playful, the rules are totally different.
Sarah ~ She should have been aware, since she’d been told (a couple of times). She says she forgot. That does happen… but luckily, I have a handy way of making things easier to remember,
Amanda ~ lol… yea, I’d spank for “Duh” in a quick-quick hurry too. I will say this though… in a discipline setting I strive to be respectful in everything I say/do. I don’t mock or joke around. I don’t want to confuse the situation with fun-playtime and I don’t want any possibility of my words not being taken at face value. So, I think it’s reasonable to ask that the same courtesy be returned… and, “duh” might well be more disrespectful than “whatever.” Never had a spankee bust out a “duh” on me though! Would have to think up a new spanking for that one. Maybe something like…
During the spanking ask, “Does this hurt?”
“yes-YES!”
“Well… DUH…” … and then keep on spanking.
~T
December 1st, 2009 - 9:21 pm
Whatever
December 1st, 2009 - 9:38 pm
If I’m going to be spanked it’s not over the word whatever. It will be because I’m a smartmouth who can’t keep her smart mouth shut. LOL
December 1st, 2009 - 11:11 pm
Whatever and the word FINE said with a definite attitude gets me in more trouble then I can count! The phrase well actually the word I find most annoying is NOT on the list at all,it is DUDE. Dude should ONLY be used if one is describing oh say a Dude Ranch but NOT a person. My brother-in-law (who I love dearly by the way)uses it ALL the time and it is time it stopped,but I am NOT the person that is going to tell him that at 46 it is time he stopped saying DUDE all the time. LOL
December 2nd, 2009 - 9:29 pm
Hmm… I hardly ever use the word “whatever” myself, in fact, I can’t really think of a time when I have.
Just wanted to point out that this goes both ways – I did have a Dom use the word toward me during a very emotional moment (on my part) and I can honestly say it was the beginning of the end of that relationship. It just seemed to epitomize the lack of concern I was seeing in other aspects of the relationship and that wasn’t something I could get over.
Now, said in a teasing, joking, or playful manner I don’t really see any problem with the word “whatever.” As with most of the things we say, intention and inflection are more at issue than the actual language in most cases.