The worst word in the English language?
Whatever.
I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate that word and how horrible it is. It is SO non-committal. It means absolutely nothing in any context. It brings nothing to a conversation, it takes nothing away.
Why do I think that 'whatever' is the worst word in the English language (besides the fact that it is)?
I recently had a conversation with my husband, via text (let's not get started on how context and content often differ in a non-verbal based communication mode). I was at work, as was he and I had made arrangements to have my mom take Banana to her karate class, but someone would have to pick her up. My mother wasn't going to stay at her class, she was just dropping her there. OK. Fine. I texted The Hubs and asked if he wanted me to pick her up, or if he was planning on it. His reply?
"Whatever."
What-fucking-ever. ARGH!!!! That doesn't answer the question!! Which I texted immediately back to him
"'Whatever' doesn't actually answer my question."Silence (the next worst part of a conversation ever). No text back, no answer, no decision. Just
"Whatever"A couple of hours later, as I was getting ready to leave the office, I texted him again.
"Since you can't actually answer my question or make a decision, *I* will go get Banana."His response:
"Thank you".Frown.... And argh!!
So for that reason, "Whatever" has, in my books, become the absolute worst word in the English language. I can't stand that as an answer to a question or request. Banana and Squish are just as guilty as their dad when it comes to using "whatever" as an answer.
I could ask them what they want for dinner.
"Whatever"Would they like to go to a movie or stay home and watch a movie?
"Whatever"Are you going to try out for the school play? (not that our school has ever actually put one on)
"Maybe (my next worst word), whatever".
WHATEVER! Ugh!!
I have had it used as a non-committal answer to a question. I have had it used as an attempt at ending an argument in a "I won't concede that I may be wrong, so rather than say I might be wrong, I'll say 'whatever'." I've had it used in probably every way it could be used that is most infuriating.
It is, in my humble opinion, THE. WORST. WORD. IN. THE. ENGLISH. LANGUAGE.
