Like, whatever. For the fifth year running, respondents in a national Marist poll say the most annoying word slung by American conversationalists is “whatever.”
Thirty-eight percent of Americans outright hate the use of the word, the poll found. Last year, “whatever” scored most-hated, but with less intensity. Then, 32 percent of respondents picked the term to top the list.
The runner-up this year didn’t fare much better. Fully 22 percent couldn’t stand the use of the word “like,” either.
Third place? “You know,” was hated by 18 percent of respondents.
Rounding out the list: “Just sayin’” and “obviously,” with 14 percent and 6 percent of the vote, respectively.
The poll, conducted Dec. 3-5 by phone of adults, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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