Sir, – Whatever you’re having yourself, of course, but this reader’s nomination for the most annoying vogue-word finds no mention in your Irish Times list: the now almost ubiquitous “humbled” (“The word ‘whatever’ heads most annoying list”, Breaking News, December 27th).
You may be gifted with unique talent, you may have studied, worked, trained, practised and sacrificed all your life to reach the pinnacle of your sport or profession; you may have been endorsed, lauded, adulated by hundreds, thousands, millions, but in your crowning moment do you admit to even a modicum of pride, are you awed, exhilarated, overwhelmed or inspired by all this praise and recognition of your ability and achievement?
No, you are almost invariably “humbled”.
Somewhere in the recesses of our modern hearts success exposes in even the most egotistical of individuals a long-hidden vein of humility.
Why in recent times has this phenomenon emerged?
Well, because of, well, you know, like, whatever.– Yours, etc,