Jennifer Coolidge remains a memorable figure not only for her role as Tanya in HBO's acclaimed series "White Lotus," but also for her emotionally stirring acceptance speech at the 2023 Golden Globes. Coolidge earned the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series/Anthology or Motion Picture, a recognition that marked a significant career turning point.
Winning the award wasn't Coolidge's only standout moment at the event; her heartfelt speech profoundly touched both audiences and peers, even bringing creator Mike White to tears, as reported by The Vulture. Reflecting candidly on her personal journey, Coolidge stated, "It really means a lot. Thank you. Wow. I just want to say, some of the people in this room, there were like five people that kept me going for, you know, 20 years with these little jobs. And Ryan Murphy, you were one of them. It’s these little jobs that kept me going."
Recalling missed opportunities to express gratitude publicly, particularly at the Emmys, Coolidge opened up further. "I just want you all to know that I had such big dreams and expectations as a younger person, but what happened is they get sort of fizzled by life and whatever," she humorously added, "I thought I was going to be Queen of Monaco even though someone else did it." Acknowledging life's unpredictability, she emphasized Mike White's critical role in reigniting her dreams.
Jennifer Coolidge at the 'American Pie 4' premiere in Paris,Photo by Thibault | Wikimedia Commons
Addressing White directly during her speech, Coolidge said, "You’ve given me a new beginning. Even if this is the end, because you did kill me off, even if this is the end, you changed my life in a million different ways." Her character, Tanya, was famously written out at the end of the show's second season. Yet, Coolidge lovingly attributed her newfound success and popularity directly to White: "My neighbors are speaking to me and things like that. I was never invited to one party on my hill, and now everyone’s inviting me! I just — you know, it’s to you, Mike White."
Social media erupted with appreciation for Coolidge’s sincere tribute. One viewer, Summer Anne Burton, wrote, “'You make people want to live longer and I didn’t' has got to be the most meaningful compliment I’ve ever heard at an awards show. Literally sobbing over Jennifer Coolidge’s tribute to Mike White."
Coolidge continued to passionately highlight White's character, stating, "He is worried about the world, he’s worried about people, he’s worried about friends of his that aren’t doing well, he’s always worried about people, you’re worried about animals, and he really is one of the greatest people." Her emotional honesty resonated deeply: "He gives me so much excitement to be — you make people want to live longer, and I didn’t." She concluded warmly, "So anyway, I just want to say, Mike White, I love you to death. I just want to say, this is a real fun night, thank you. Thank you!"
Their bond, vividly showcased throughout "White Lotus," remains a powerful testament to genuine friendship and mutual inspiration.
Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.