Whatever!!!!!
By brokentia
@brokentia (10389)
United States
December 8, 2006 11:42am CST
Do you say this in response to someone when you do not like what they are doing or saying? Do you find this word offensive?
I learned when I was in the military, that the word "Whatever" was found offensive and I didn't even know it!
But since learning and taking a deeper look, I too find it offensive and teach my children that it is not to be used unless it is used as a proper word in a proper sentence.
Example of proper way: Do you want a chocolate chip cookie or a oatmeal raisin cookie? Response...I will take whatever you have, I like them both.
Example of offensive: Please don't do that. Response...You know, WHATEVER! (As the person walks away.)
3 people like this
66 responses
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
9 Dec 06
That word is like someone holding up a hand to you as in Talk To The Hand and seems to me that it means they don't wish to put the effort into talking to the person it is used toward. Sad to say that people just are not personally social anymore like when we used to talk to neighbors across the back fence.
1 person likes this
@nobodyspecial (1011)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Whatever is a response from those who have no valid arguement to present. For some reason they seem to think it is an adequate substitute for such arguement.
Using this singluar term shows a remarkable lack of creativity and thought.
Kinda sad isn't it?
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I am guilty of using the f-word too much also. But I have really calmed it down due to the help of many children being around. I normally say it now when I hurt myself, get angry at an object that I just can't fix, or just get plain frustrated with something.
1 person likes this
@trish32 (1471)
• United States
11 Dec 06
I personally despise it when someone uses "whatever" in a sarcastic or dismissive fashion. My oldest two children have started using it and I promptly put it on the "no-no" list along with all those other lovely words they're not allowed to use and that I don't want their younger two brothers to pick up on.
I honestly believe that "whatever" is fast becoming a trendy way to tell someone to go "F" themselves or to "shove off" in a tart and sassy manner.
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I do find this response as being offensive and rude. If somebody said that to me I would be bothered by it because it means they do not care what I have to say or they feel they are right and you are wrong. It is like they are ignoring you when they say that word.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
10 Dec 06
That is definitely another way to explain it! :)
1 person likes this
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
8 Dec 06
i would not respond in here with that. everyone has thier on opinions in here. my kids say whatever all the time and i would like to just take it out of thier vocabulary.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Even though it is a rule in my house not to use that word, my 16 yr old is pushing his limits. LOL
1 person likes this
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
9 Dec 06
maybe there should be a whatever jar, you know like a swear jar. lol
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I view it as being kind of offensive, but like you said, it depends on how you use it. If someone says something you don't agree with and you just do the "what-evar!" (and don't forget the hand movement!), it's not as offensive as saying something like, "what a load of crap!".
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Oh yes, definitely. You can not forget the little hand motion that some us with the word. Sometimes that makes it even more offensive. LOL
1 person likes this
@saphire539 (1639)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I can't stand that word my daughter say's it to me all the time.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
10 Dec 06
My kids never dare say it to me...I will response with a quick, Excuse me!!!
I can't stand the word used and my kids will learn/have learned it is disrespectful.
But my sister allows her daughter to use it. Not that she likes it...but I have heard my niece say it.
1 person likes this
@Glenn2007 (235)
• United States
9 Dec 06
well alots Different Peoples user theirs owner Sentense
Do you think Bite me Offensite ?
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 Dec 06
It is amazing how this word can bring such negative reaction. My daughter uses it too often. She throws up her hand as she says the word and pivots on her heel and makes a grand exit. She knows I do not like this. But, I believe it is better than f/u. I just wish she would act like an adult and discuss the issue rather than acting childish and walking away.
@nobodyspecial (1011)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Oh and don't forget the eyeroll! That's the best part!
A Whatever just isn't an effective Whatever without the eyeroll!
@annieja (589)
• United States
8 Dec 06
i don't use the word whatever. my boyfriend will say whatever when he knows i am right about something, and he can't come up with anything to say back. it's like i prove him wrong about something, and instead of saying, yeah, you're right, he just says whatever. it is kind of a smart-alec answer.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
9 Dec 06
And when he has to say whatever instead of telling you that you are right...it just seems to push that button a bit more, huh? yea, my partner will do that from time to time with me. But I have told him that he knows it offends me.
there are times when he will say it to me and I will ask him if he is just trying to make me more angry. And the funny thing it, he hates it too. LOL So there are times I will do it right back and walk away. But...never around the kids because they see it as a potty mouth. :)
1 person likes this
@medooley (1873)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I can think that I can safely say that I don't use this too often. I don't think that it is because I find it offensive, I just don't use it, reminds me too much of something a 13 year old girl would say... And we all know how I don't want to look like a 13 year old gir.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
9 Dec 06
No, you supposedly look like a young Chevy Chase, right? ha ha
1 person likes this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
29 Dec 06
I say this usually when I am angry, it is a sure sign that I am not happy when this word is present for me
@Alexandria37 (5717)
• Ireland
9 Dec 06
My son uses it quite a lot, but I have never found it to be offensive. For instance, if I let him know that I do not approve of something, he would say "whatever". I always took this to mean "whatever you say, mum". If I aks him what he would like for dinner, he would also say "whatever". Again, I would take this to mean "whatever is handiest". However, after reading all these posts, I will have to pay more attention to when uses "whatever".
@nooreldin (471)
• Kuwait
9 Dec 06
I agree with you in that the word itself can have a different impact in different occasions.., but this word in prticular is the most misunderstood word ever..it always gives bad impression when one hears it, specially when said as a single word not in a sentence.. you feel the person who is replying by this word is so bored that he doesn't wanna talk at all and this feeling is not nice at all!!
@magdollars23 (1684)
• United States
9 Dec 06
It is rude depending on the context but i do use the word sometimes.
@nana1944 (1364)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I don't know what I could say that the others on here haven't said. Except I would ask if whatever meant that I was right about things that were said. Or just thank them for letting me know I am right. There are a couple of my grandkids who do that and it irritates the tar out of me. You are so right about the correct useage. We were taught things like that in school (back in the days of the caveman my grandkids inform).
@moonflowerpixy (536)
• United States
9 Dec 06
My daughter sais that all the time. (not as much now as she used to). Everytime she would say that we would say whatever lives in north georgia. It would upset her because she wouldn't have the last 'word'. Personaly I can't stand either 'whatever' or 'I don't know'. They both stick in my craw.
@bricantra (101)
• Australia
9 Dec 06
When I use "whatever" as a single word like that it is usually because they are being rude and they don't care what I think and aren't going to listen to me anyway. Usually they are talking all over you or being narrow minded.
