Before I can truly contemplate my three top pet peeves, I should really look at what exactly a pet peeve is and where the term itself originated from.

A “pet peeve” refers to a specific annoyance or irritation that a person experiences, often in relation to minor issues that others might overlook. It can include habits, behaviors, or situations that consistently rub someone the wrong way, causing frustration or displeasure.

The term “pet peeve” is believed to originate from the combination of “pet,” as in something cherished or special, and “peeve,” which is derived from the word “peevish,” meaning easily irritated. The term started gaining popularity in the United States in the 1950s, highlighting those little things in life that can provoke an outsized emotional reaction despite their seemingly trivial nature.

“Trivial” is a good way to think of my pet peeves. They aren’t big issues at all, but they still always annoy me every time they occur. What exactly are the three that impact me the most?

PHONETICS

There’s nothing to me more annoying then when I’m watching the local weather, and the weatherman or woman advises of an upcoming snowstorm forming out west in the “mou-ends”.

The phenomenon I’m referring to is called “flapping” or “t-glottalization.” In some dialects, particularly in certain American English accents, the “t” sound is softened or dropped, leading to pronunciations like “mou-ends” for “mountains” and “cur-uhn” for “curtain.” This is often more noticeable in casual speech. In some regions, it’s specifically referred to as “glottal stopping” when the “t” is replaced with a glottal stop sound, indicating a pause or breath rather than a hard consonant.

As callous as it may sound, when people include glottal stopping in their speech, particularly in a professional setting, I tend to attribute it to a lack of education, realizing that is probably not the case, but I can’t help what I feel in those situations.

FAKE NEWS & CONVINCING LIARS

Never in my life would I have expected to be unsure of the truth in what “authorities” are telling us as citizens of the country. In school, we were taught what I assumed was the truth in social studies. I seldom questioned the “official narrative” back in the days of Walter Cronkite and the likes of Peter Jennings.

Now that we’ve been through what is unquestionably the most divisive years politically, I find myself questioning everything I hear on the legacy media and also on social media. The constant barrage of differing opinions, sensational headlines, and intense debates has created an environment where it’s increasingly challenging to discern the truth. As I navigate through articles, posts, and videos, I often wonder about the underlying motivations of the content creators, whether they are driven by a sincere desire to inform or by the need to provoke outrage for clicks. This skepticism forces me to critically analyze the information presented, leading me to seek multiple sources before forming my opinions. In a landscape filled with misinformation and biased narratives, it’s essential for me to cultivate a discerning mindset that prioritizes facts over emotions.

THINGS YOUTUBE CAN’T HELP ME DO

Being a homeowner, I’ve found capabilities in myself I didn’t know I had. I’ve fixed both my snowblower and lawnmower sitting in the foyer just inside the door. I’ve switched out tons of outlets, garbage disposals, water softeners, faucets, light fixtures and ceiling fans.

Although my career as a senior client account consultant for a Fortune 500 company doesn’t exactly pair well with those home improvement tasks, the problem solving skills that I’ve learned and put into practice every day at work have been combined with YouTube Channel experts in home improvement to bring out a side of me I hadn’t known existed.

So, where is the pet peeve in this? A week or so ago, our nearly 20 year-old Maytag dishwasher decided to stop working, but only looked like it needed to be reset. After searching the internet (and YouTube) for a video on resetting the unit (most dishwashers use a repeated combination of buttons being pushed to accomplish the reset), I finally decided to shut off the breaker and wait the five minutes before turning it back on. The result? No change in the operation.

To make a long story short, I finally figured out the right button pushing combination to light up all the lights at once to reset the unit, and yet in the end, I figured out it was actually the pump that had died. The solution. A fingerprint-resistant stainless steel new dishwasher from Whirlpool.

Although YouTube has instructional videos on what seems to be everything you could possibly want to learn, sadly enough, every now and then the endless search on the platform ends with frustration and me coming up empty.

THE IMPACT OF PET PEEVES

In conclusion, pet peeves are the subtle irritations that, despite their minor nature, can significantly impact our daily lives. From linguistic quirks like “flapping” to the pervasive mistrust of information in today’s media landscape, each of these annoyances reveals deeper layers of our experiences and frustrations. The challenges we face, even in seemingly trivial matters like home repairs, can lead to moments of growth and self-discovery. Recognizing and articulating our pet peeves not only helps us understand our personal triggers but also fosters a shared connection with others who may feel similarly. In a world filled with complexities and contradictions, acknowledging these small grievances allows us to navigate our interactions with greater empathy and awareness. Ultimately, while pet peeves may provoke annoyance, they also serve as reminders of our values and preferences, underscoring the richness of the human experience.

SHARE YOUR PET PEEVES!

Now that you’ve read about my top three pet peeves, I’d love to hear from you! What are the little things that irritate you the most? Whether it’s a linguistic quirk, a frustrating experience, or something you’ve encountered in daily life, your insights are valuable.

Feel free to share your pet peeves in the comments below! Let’s create a community where we can vent a little and maybe even find some common ground.

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