--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The use of the gerneic second person when…" description: "\"The use of the gerneic second person when one is clearly referring to oneself is quite possibly my biggest language pet peeve. Examples I've heard rece..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/abdalla-180281_pet-peeve_the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-whe_40601.jpg" --- # The use of the gerneic second person when one is clearly… ![“The use of the gerneic second person when one is clearly referring to oneself is quite possibly my biggest language pet peeve. Examples I've heard recently,From a politician, You'd get these calls from constituents and they'd want you to fix their problems From a journalist, The police were…” quote by Abdalla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/abdalla-180281_pet-peeve_the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-whe_40601.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/abdalla-180281_pet-peeve_the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-whe_40601.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/abdalla-180281_pet-peeve_the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-whe_40601.jpg) > “The use of the gerneic second person when one is clearly referring to oneself is quite possibly my biggest language pet peeve. Examples I've heard recently,From a politician, You'd get these calls from constituents and they'd want you to fix their problems From a journalist, The police were spraying tear gas, and you could hear screaming all around you The road was dark, but the light was bright and you could see for miles” Abdalla ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Using second‑person pronouns to refer to oneself can feel pretentious and confusing, especially in public discourse. **In simple terms:** Avoid self‑referencing with “you” in formal speech. Key Takeaway Speak directly about yourself. Themes communication clarity pronoun usage authenticity politics Mood critical analytical observational Type critical analytical observational Pet peeve:1 Politics:1 Second Person:1 Referring Oneself:1 Peeve Examples:0 Peeve:0 When to use this quote - political speeches - journalistic interviews - academic writing Key Concepts linguistics rhetoric public speaking media analysis Questions to Reflect On - Why do speakers choose this style? - Does it affect credibility? A Different Perspective Some audiences may find it relatable; style varies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Pet peeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pet-peeve/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [A big pet peeve is when you have no intention in dating a girl and you treat them like a girlfriend. Leading someone on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-big-pet-peeve-is-when-you-have-no-intention-in-dating-a-girl-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Disrespect is my biggest pet peeve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-goldberg/disrespect-is-my-biggest-pet-peeve/) [Bill Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-goldberg/) > [I have a new pet peeve. Its people texting while driving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-a-new-pet-peeve-its-people-texting-while-driving/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My biggest pet peeve is rushing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-brent/my-biggest-pet-peeve-is-rushing/) [Jeremiah Brent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-brent/) > [My biggest pet peeve is when people don't admit what they've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniela-bobadilla/my-biggest-pet-peeve-is-when-people-don-t-admit-what-they-ve-done/) [Daniela Bobadilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniela-bobadilla/) > [I have a real pet peeve for women who play damaged characters but don't look damaged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-jenkins/i-have-a-real-pet-peeve-for-women-who-play-damaged-characters-but-don/) [Patty Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-jenkins/) > [“But then again, I shouldn't judge. That is, after all, my pet peeve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/but-then-again-i-shouldn-t-judge-that-is-after-all-my-pet-peeve/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) > [My biggest pet peeve is inconsiderate people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trista-sutter/my-biggest-pet-peeve-is-inconsiderate-people/) [Trista Sutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trista-sutter/) > [“Tanaquil gently toed the peeve. "I'll unfasten the window. Jump out to the lower roof and run." "Stay and bite," said the peeve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/tanaquil-gently-toed-the-peeve-i-ll-unfasten-the-window-jump-out-to/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [Even in a culture where people are well meaning, there are sometimes 'microaggressions.' People who will just cut you off. You'll be talking, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wojcicki/even-in-a-culture-where-people-are-well-meaning-there-are-sometimes/) [Susan Wojcicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wojcicki/) > [My least favorite thing or my pet peeve would be people who literally ignore the other people you're with, or the situation, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-adesanya/my-least-favorite-thing-or-my-pet-peeve-would-be-people-who-literally/) [Israel Adesanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-adesanya/) > [I admit my pet peeve is waiting on someone. I pride myself on being on time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenya-moore/i-admit-my-pet-peeve-is-waiting-on-someone-i-pride-myself-on-being-on/) [Kenya Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenya-moore/) > [Did I ever tell you my pet peeve?' No,' I said. People who dress up their pets to look like Little Lord Fauntleroys or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-spinelli/did-i-ever-tell-you-my-pet-peeve-no-i-said-people-who-dress-up-their/) [Jerry Spinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-spinelli/) > [“As you can see, it´s More with one o, not two - pet peeve of mine". "More as in give me more". Madison´s crush…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-gray/as-you-can-see-it-s-more-with-one-o-not-two-pet-peeve-of-mine-more-as/) [Claudia Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-gray/) > [That is so personal, and it’s my pet peeve when people press you on it. And it’s always women who get asked! Is anybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/that-is-so-personal-and-it-s-my-pet-peeve-when-people-press-you-on-it/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) ## More Pet peeve quotes > [My pet peeve is hearing a knock on the bathroom door followed by the familiar words, 'What are you doing in there?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-scalf-linamen/my-pet-peeve-is-hearing-a-knock-on-the-bathroom-door-followed-by-the/) [Karen Scalf Linamen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-scalf-linamen/) > [Biggest pet peeve is people who think being rude to everyone is cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/biggest-pet-peeve-is-people-who-think-being-rude-to-everyone-is-cool/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A big pet peeve is when you have no intention in dating a girl and you treat them like a girlfriend. Leading someone on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-big-pet-peeve-is-when-you-have-no-intention-in-dating-a-girl-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“As you can see, it´s More with one o, not two - pet peeve of mine". "More as in give me more". Madison´s crush…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-gray/as-you-can-see-it-s-more-with-one-o-not-two-pet-peeve-of-mine-more-as/) [Claudia Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-gray/) > [Did I ever tell you my pet peeve?' No,' I said. People who dress up their pets to look like Little Lord Fauntleroys or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-spinelli/did-i-ever-tell-you-my-pet-peeve-no-i-said-people-who-dress-up-their/) [Jerry Spinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-spinelli/) > [I admit my pet peeve is waiting on someone. I pride myself on being on time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenya-moore/i-admit-my-pet-peeve-is-waiting-on-someone-i-pride-myself-on-being-on/) [Kenya Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenya-moore/) > [I don't have pet peeves like some people. I have whole kennels of irritation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whoopi-goldberg/i-don-t-have-pet-peeves-like-some-people-i-have-whole-kennels-of/) [Whoopi Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whoopi-goldberg/) > [My pet peeve and my goal in life is to somehow get an adjective for 'integrity' in the dictionary. 'Truthful' doesn't really cover it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/my-pet-peeve-and-my-goal-in-life-is-to-somehow-get-an-adjective-for/) [Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/) > [My least favorite thing or my pet peeve would be people who literally ignore the other people you're with, or the situation, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-adesanya/my-least-favorite-thing-or-my-pet-peeve-would-be-people-who-literally/) [Israel Adesanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-adesanya/) > [A social media pet peeve I have is when people get on the Internet crying. Like, why are you recording yourself crying? I hate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glorilla/a-social-media-pet-peeve-i-have-is-when-people-get-on-the-internet/) [GloRilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glorilla/) > [Even in a culture where people are well meaning, there are sometimes 'microaggressions.' People who will just cut you off. You'll be talking, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wojcicki/even-in-a-culture-where-people-are-well-meaning-there-are-sometimes/) [Susan Wojcicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wojcicki/) > [“Tanaquil gently toed the peeve. "I'll unfasten the window. Jump out to the lower roof and run." "Stay and bite," said the peeve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/tanaquil-gently-toed-the-peeve-i-ll-unfasten-the-window-jump-out-to/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [Talking, texting or tweeting on your phone is the worst in any social situation. I went to a lunch during Paris Fashion Week, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-blasberg/talking-texting-or-tweeting-on-your-phone-is-the-worst-in-any-social/) [Derek Blasberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-blasberg/) > [One of my pet peeves is that when people are in their automobiles, I think they're exceptionally rude on the road. I would love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-carmack/one-of-my-pet-peeves-is-that-when-people-are-in-their-automobiles-i/) [Chris Carmack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-carmack/) > [I hate those articles - this is a pet peeve of mine - like move over X, here's the new Y. And it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julien-baker/i-hate-those-articles-this-is-a-pet-peeve-of-mine-like-move-over-x/) [Julien Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julien-baker/) [Browse all 70 Pet peeve quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pet-peeve/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The use of the gerneic second person when one is clearly referring to oneself is quite possibly my biggest language pet peeve. Examples I've heard recently,From a politician, You'd get these calls from constituents and they'd want you to fix their problems From a journalist, The police were spraying tear gas, and you could hear screaming all around you The road was dark, but the light was bright and you could see for miles", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abdalla" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdalla/the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-when-one-is-clearly-referring-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Pet peeve" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdalla/the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-when-one-is-clearly-referring-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/abdalla-180281_pet-peeve_the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-whe_40601.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/abdalla-180281_pet-peeve_the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-whe_40601.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/abdalla-180281_pet-peeve_the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-whe_40601.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The use of the gerneic second person when one is clearly referring to oneself is quite possibly my biggest…” — Abdalla", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Abdalla", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdalla/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The use of the gerneic second...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdalla/the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-when-one-is-clearly-referring-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdalla/the-use-of-the-gerneic-second-person-when-one-is-clearly-referring-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```