You Know, "Whatever" Is an Annoying Word

You know, at the end of the day, it is what it is: Americans are annoyed with those who use a handful of phrases or words, and "whatever" tops them all.

Typically used to express an exaggerated sense of annoyance or exasperation, the slang term "whatever" was found to be the most annoying word used in conversations by 47 percent of Americans surveyed in a recent Marist College poll. "Whatever" easily trounced other annoying contenders, including "you know" (25 percent), "it is what it is" (11 percent) and "anyway" (7 percent). While the results varied slightly by region—people in the Midwest are more irritated by "whatever" than those in the Northeast are—age, race and income seemed to play no factor in people's opinions.

In addition to "whatever," "you know," "it is what it is" and "anyway," respondents also were asked to rank the phrase "at the end of the day" (2 percent).

Is the list missing any words? What words or phrases do you find most annoying in conversation? Are there words that you feel are overused?

Tell us what words or phrases get under your skin!

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