PeevePile • A Pet Peeve Archive » "Keep it down to a dull roar"

"Keep it down to a dull roar"

Did you know that "dull" and "roar" mean two totally different things? If you want it quiet, just say "quiet down"! No need for this wishy-washy, passive aggressive nonsense.

— kimk from Vermont | Conversation | 1.17.2010 | Comments (4)

I feel the same about when people use the word "mildly" in front of strong words. Like I got an email from someone today who claimed to be "mildly overwhelmed." I feel like that use of mildly is becoming commonplace but it doesn't even make any sense to me.

— jmc posted 1/22/2010

Both of those are generally used sarcastically; the speaker often knows it is paradoxical but says it anyway.

— Marsha Q posted 8/9/2010

I always hated when teachers said this in my school days. Marsha, I get that it's purposefully oxymoronic, but it just grinds my gears. People always think they're being clever when they're saying it and get this infuriatingly smug look on their face.

— Anastasia posted 10/12/2010

"Keep it to a dull roar" is intended to be joking, a bit of linguistic silliness and goofiness. It's aim is to be funny, not linguistically perfect.

— jh posted 11/4/2010

Saying that men watching their own kids are "babysitting." » 5 stars

Water on the counter at a public bathroom such that when you lean over to wash your hands, your stomach and crotch area get all wet. » 5 stars

When people tell me to "calm down" when I am already calm. » 5 stars

Putting on a clean pair of socks, entering the bathroom or kitchen and standing in a water splash left on the floor, thus getting your clean socks wet and forcing you to change them. » 5 stars

Excessive and difficult-to-remove packaging » 4.95238 stars

Rolls of toilet paper in which the size and weight to tensile strength ratio renders it impossible to dispense the paper in the usual manner (ie: pull on the end, roll turns, paper advances). » 4.93333 stars

Doctors "shortening" your wait time by making you wait in the exam room instead. » 4.93333 stars

People who touch computer screens. » 4.91667 stars

Using mobile phones at the register. » 127 Comments

The non-existance of unpadded bras in cup sizes less than D. Macy's, Victoria's secret, and Bloomingdales do not carry them. unpadded. » 41 Comments

People who put ketchup in the refrigerator. » 41 Comments

When pregnant women complain about being pregnant. » 39 Comments

People who deliberately pronounce words incorrectly and repeatedly. » 34 Comments

Women who are just so beautiful they don't have to contribute to sex... » 32 Comments

"Irregardless." » 30 Comments

Saying that men watching their own kids are "babysitting." » 27 Comments

Using mobile phones at the register. » super – luctroyally 2/6

Using mobile phones at the register. » super – Cireekeld 2/6

Using mobile phones at the register. » super – Kannyhila 2/6

Using mobile phones at the register. » super – Steashamate 2/6

10.31.10

Thanks to a recent torrent of spam, I’ve had to disable comments for a while. I’ve now removed the ability to put links in the comments. Email me if you want to put something in, such as five links to knock-off handbag sites, and I’ll happily oblige.

09.10.10

I’ve added two features to the sidebar: Highest Rating and Hotly Debated. They will be updated daily. To my surprise, the ketchup-in-fridge peeve seemed to really incite some anger — it’s clearly a complex situation that affects us all.

It should be noted that the star ratings indicate how much you agree with, or appreciate, the peeve, not how you feel when it happens.

I will be adding a Paragon Peeves section as well, for my and my friends’ personal favorites.

Please enjoy, and contact me if you have any new feature ideas.