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2016's most annoying phrases have been named, and we can't even right now.

 

Excuse me, but the most hated phrases of 2016 have been announced and, like, we really need to talk about them.

Honourable mentions go to ‘huge’ and ‘I can’t even’ – introduced to the cultural lexicon by a quiet family residing in LA known as the ‘Kardashian klan’.

Coming in third place was ‘you know, right’ – which I agree is irritating, but personally wouldn’t place in my top three.

In second place was ‘no offense, but…’ which is unequivocally one of the most annoying phrases of all time, given that it always used to preface something highly offensive. For example:

“No offence, but you’re ugly AF.”

“No offence, but women aren’t funny.”

“No offence, but your feet remind me of Shrek.”

"Oh, um. No offence taken..." Image via Dreamworks.
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Note to anyone who legitimately uses this term past the age of seven: if you need to tell someone how they're meant to feel at the beginning of the sentence, then what you're about to say 100%, without a doubt, does not need to be said.

No one has ever NOT been offended by a sentence that begins with "No offence..." That is a scientific fact.

BUT - topping the list for the eighth year running, dubbed the most hated word or phrase used in casual conversation, is none other than... 'whatever'.

Thirty eight per cent of the poll chose 'whatever' as the term responsible for most grinding their gears in what historians* have labelled "the worst year in the history of human evolution." (* My source is... me. I said that).

Image via Giphy.
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The study was conducted by Marist College Institue for Public Opinion in the United States.

However, I think we can all agree there are a number of way more irritating words that somehow didn't make the list. Here is Mamamia's list, in no particular order.

"Some of my best friends are...[insert minority]"

This term is used to excuse an extremely racist, homophobia, or sexist comment. For example:

"I believe women have smaller brains than men, and that's why their place is in the kitchen, preferably making me sandwiches. I'm not sexist though, some of my best friends have vaginas..."

Mmmm, good point Robert.

Image via Giphy.
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"Sorry not sorry."

Often used in hashtag form (#sorrynotsorry) this awkward phrase follows a truth bomb that you really ought to apologise for.

By saying 'sorry not sorry', the speaker uses three words to say precisely nothing. For example:

"I voted for Trump. Sorry not sorry...lel."

Eugh.

"Cray cray."

A 'new' and 'hip' way to say crazy. For example:

"I sound crazy when I use the ridiculous term cray cray."

As are you...Image via Giphy.
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"I'm not going to lie..."

This is perhaps one of the most redundant phrases in the English language. It is almost always used before a statement that is clearly the truth, thus wasting the time of both the speaker and the listener. For example:

"I'm not going to lie, this pizza is amazing."

...Cool.

"Literally."

Used almost exclusively before an event that - literally - did not happen. What the speaker really means is figuratively, which is the antonym of literally. For example:

"I literally died."

Aaaaand...no you didn't.

NUR. Image via Giphy.
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"At the end of the day..."

This cliche is useless and uses six words to say very little. It is another way of saying "When all is said and done..." which, again, is a redundant phrase. For example:

"At the end of the day, we're all human."

We're also all human at the beginning of the day AND in the middle of the day.

"Could care less."

You mean 'couldn't care less'. The Kardashians have brainwashed the human race. For example:

"I could care less what he says about me behind my back." 

You could care less... so you care. Quite a bit. Interesting...

"Bae."

Originally assumed to be a mispronunciation of 'babe', 'bae' is an acronym for 'before anyone else'. In Danish, it means poop. For example:

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"I've known him for a week and a half  now... he's ma bae."

Not sure if the term is affectionate, or refers to 'poop'.

In 2016, we learned a new word. Phubbing. Post continues below. 

Video by Mamamia

"YASSSS."

An excitable 'yes'. Spelled incorrectly. For example:

"YASSS QUEEN!"

Huh?

"Life hack"

A trick, technique or strategy employed to complete daily activities more efficiently. For example:

"How to open a beer with a banana is the ultimate life hack." 

Why... why would I ever need to do that?

"Adulting"

Acting like an adult or engaging in adult-like activities, such as paying rent, doing laundry or holding down a job. For example:

"Lol, I failed at adulting by not washing my dishes for 11 weeks. Lol."

You're just... lazy.

"Just, pls. Do your dishes." Image via Giphy.
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"On fleek."

Urban Dictionary defines 'on fleek' as "A word used by uncultured idiots. I am stupid, so I say on fleek."

More specifically, it means flawlessly styled or groomed, and is a synonym for looking great. For example:

"Your eyebrows are totally on fleek galfran'..."

"Lit"

When something, such as a party, is 'popping' or lots of fun. For example:

"The club last night was lit!"

Fact: An event ceases to be 'lit' when someone unironically uses the term 'lit'.

"HOW LIT WAS LAST NIGHT?" Image via Giphy.
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"Woke."

Being up to date and current. Often used as a hashtag #staywoke. For example:

"Educate yourself on Black Lives Matter #staywoke."

Ah. Will it ever not feel grammatically incorrect?

"...like..."

A word spoken several times within one sentence serving precisely zero purpose.

"I, like, went to the shops, and like... saw him there. And I was like 'hey', and he was like 'what?' and it was, like, so awkward..."

What phrases annoyed you the most this year?