The Top 10: Pompous Phrases
Forms of words that make the speaker or writer sound like a puffed-up windbag
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Your support makes all the difference.Richard Coles, the Communard turned vicar, asked if anyone ever used the phrase, “I am minded to…”, without sounding ridiculous. Graham Sutton suggested I should compile the worst examples. “I think I speak on behalf of all of us when I say that is a very good idea,” said David Mills.
A popular subject this week, so it is actually a Top 20.
1. With all due respect... Most popular nomination, suggested by Jo-Anne Burrow, Paul Gamba, Matt Hoffman, Paul Kearney, Louise Miles and Phil Riley.
2. Methinks. From James Dansey, Julia Hartley-Brewer, Andrew Mueller and Gladys Steptoe.
3. If I may say so. Mark D’Arcy.
4. As I said at the time. Will Gore.
5. I think you will find... Ben Stanley and Margaret.
6. I would not resile from that. One of my bugbears; dying out and not before time.
7. I will take no lectures from... said David Mills. “Neither will I provide a running commentary.”
8. I believe I can say, without fear of contradiction… Graham Sutton.
9. And how, pray, will you achieve that? Marc Burrows. There is no acceptable way of putting the word “pray” into a question.
10. The fact of the matter is. Mary Novakovich.
11. The law of the land. Carl Gardner. Also, “the highest court in the land”. Basically, anything legal about “the land”.
12. Any reference to Perfidious Albion. Lobey Dosser.
13. I hear what you say. Paul Gamba and Francis Wheen. I may have used this recently.
14. Perchance. Julia Hartley-Brewer.
15. QED. Mike Fielden. Quod erat demonstrandum: “Thus it has been demonstrated.” Although otherwise I excluded phrases in foreign or dead languages, such as mutatis mutandis, a fortiori and de rigueur – this last mainly because I can’t spell it.
16. The settled will of the [something] people. [Usually “Scottish”.] Robert Wright.
17. Blood and treasure. John Fuchs. This is on my Banned List.
18. In any way, shape or form. Stacey Murray. Ditto.
19. Far be it from me. Nominated by someone called, or possibly from, “The Pub Probably”.
20. Don’t you know who I am? Edward Wood and Peter Warner.
Honourable mention for Colin Forster, for: “The European Council will remain seized of the matter.”
“Chuntering from a sedentary position,” was nominated by Nigel Morris and Graham Moonie. I could have compiled a Top 10 pompous phrases used by John Bercow, the speaker of the House of Commons (“take a soothing medicament”, “the honourable gentleman aspires to be a statesman”), but that would be a bit specialist.
Next week: Literary characters to whom politicians are often compared, such as Pollyanna and Eeyore.
Coming soon: New English words made in China, such as “circusee”, meaning onlooker.
Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk
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