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In many ways, 2016 was a year of change — the year of a 

.
But this didn't change: "whatever" is the most annoying word or phrase in casual conversation for the eighth year running, according to a 

 of Americans 18 and older by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion.


"Whatever" irked 38 percent of Americans surveyed — although that was down from the 43 percent who found it loathsome last year. Other irritants:

20 percent) and "no worries" (7 percent) and "huge" (3 percent — perhaps this year's increase has something to do 

Although "whatever" has long held the dubious distinction of most annoying word, there's another contender in the wings.

Among those under 30, "I can't even" was the most irritating phrase. In fact, "whatever" got more annoying with age, according to the polling data. Thirty-three percent of Americans ages 30 to 44 "can't even" with the word "whatever." For those 45 to 59, it's even more irksome, with 48 percent who didn't like it. And for those 60 and older, it's 49 percent.

Arts and Culture

Maggie Penman

Author

Although "whatever" has long held the dubious distinction of most annoying word or phrase, there's another contender in the wings. Younger Americans were more irked by "I can't even."

'Whatever' is the most annoying word for the 8th year in a row

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