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Top 3 Passive-Aggressive Phrases We All Use

I have always considered myself a direct communicator, but now, I’m having doubts. I found this list of commonly used passive-aggressive phrases on huffpost.com. I am totally guilty of using…

Closeup portrait, angry young sitting woman pissed off by drivers in front of her and gesturing with hands. Road rage traffic jam concept. Woman is driving her car very aggressive and gives gesture with her fist. Part of a story about passive-aggressive phrases many people use.

We all have our moments. Even if you’re not a passive-aggressive person, sometimes a passive-aggressive phrase can pop out.
Photographer: Dimitar Mitev

Photographer: Dimitar Mitev


I have always considered myself a direct communicator, but now, I'm having doubts. I found this list of commonly used passive-aggressive phrases on huffpost.com. I am totally guilty of using some of these. Check out the article for a more in depth look at all six phrases and to find out WHY we speak like this.

My Top 3 Passive-Aggressive Phrases

1.  "Good for you."  I always thought it was sarcasm if I used this phrase. I was saying, "Good for you," but I really meant, "Go #@$k yourself." On closer inspection, sarcasm may be a form of passive-aggressive behavior. What a bummer.

2.  "It's fine."  Pretty much anytime I've said, "It's fine," it was NOT fine. If I say, "It's fine," I'm really saying, "I know I'm getting screwed over here, but I'm going to let it happen because I'm too exhausted to fight about this crap."

3.  "Whatever."  SO.GUILTY. Much like, "It's fine," "Whatever" is what I say when I don't feel like fighting. I'm throwing in the proverbial towel because it's more effort than I care to put into this situation.

Recognizing Is the First Step

It is, buuuuuuuutt I may still rock these phrases from time to time. I don't think "passive-aggressive" shows up on most people's lists of outstanding personality traits, but it definitely does on some. For some people, passive-aggressive behavior is a real issue.

The Mayo Clinic gives insight on identifying passive-aggressive behavior. While passive-aggressive phrases and behaviors aren't categorized as a mental illness, it can still be a condition that holds people back from leading happy, less stressful lives.

Talkspace.com has a great article on identifying and stopping passive-aggressive behaviors.

I suppose I can take this information and use it to mature and grow as a human being. It's fine. Whatever... I kid, I kid. Speaking of kidding... according to YouTube, the video below is chuck full of passive-aggressive revenge stories. I don't know if the stories are all true, but I enjoyed them nonetheless.

27 Club: 5 Most Iconic Members

The 27 Club is equal parts tragic and fascinating. The term, of course, stems from the unique coincidence of many high-profile entertainers dying at the age of 27.

According to Rolling Stone, the term's popularity skyrocketed after the untimely death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. His mother, Wendy O'Connor, even mentioned it following his death.

In a 1994 archival story from The Seattle Times, O'Connor said of her late son, "Now he's gone and joined that stupid club. I told him not to join that stupid club."

However, there were plenty of major names in the rock world who were members of this "club" long before Cobain died in 1994. This club and its members are explored in Howard Sounes's 2021 book 27: A History of the 27 Club Through the Lives of Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse. The book's synopsis reads, "In a grimly fascinating journey through the dark side of the music business over six decades, Sounes uncovers a common story of excess, madness, and self-destruction ... A clear and compelling narrative emerges, one based on hard facts, that unites these lost souls in both life and death."

Indeed, the members of the 27 Club are lost souls and unique talents gone far too soon. Despite this, they left legacies that have lasted for decades and will likely continue to do so. Yes, they will live on thanks to their art and impact on pop culture, but they'll also be cautionary tales, which, frankly, isn't a bad thing either. A life ending that young is simply devastating, and if it can be avoided, it should.

In the gallery below, we look at five of the club's most iconic members arranged in the order in which they officially joined the club.

Brian Jones: February 28, 1942-July 3, 1969

Brian-Jones_Rolling-Stones.jpgChris Ware/Getty Images

Jones was a brilliant multi-instrumentalist. He, of course, founded the Rolling Stones in 1962. Unfortunately, he struggled with substance abuse and was eventually kicked out of the band he started. About a month following his ouster, Jones died on July 3, 1969. He was found at the bottom of his swimming pool, but unproven conspiracy theories suspect Jones may have been murdered.


Jimi Hendrix: November 27, 1942-September 18, 1970.

Jimi-Hendrix_Club-Gallery.jpgEvening Standard/Getty Images

Jimi Hendrix died in 1970, but over 50 years later, he's still considered the greatest guitarist of all time. It's a distinction that's apt considering how revolutionary his style of playing was and still is. In his short time on Earth, Hendrix only released four albums, but his impact is nothing short of massive. Sadly, his life was cut short due to a drug overdose.


Janis Joplin: January 19, 1943-October 4, 1970.

Janis-Joplin_Club-Gallery.jpgStroud/Express/Getty Images

About two weeks after Hendrix's death, the world lost Janis Joplin to an accidental overdose of alcohol and heroin. Like Hendrix, Joplin released very few albums while she was alive, but her impact on rock and roll is far and wide. Her unique voice, dynamic stage presence and style continues to influence musicians. Her posthumous album 'Pearl' is a title everyone should have in their collection.


Jim Morrison: December 8, 1943-July 3, 1971.

Jim-Morrison_Club-Gallery.jpgAntoine Antoniol/Getty Images

Exactly two years after the death of Brian Jones at age 27, Jim Morrison died in Paris at the same fateful age. Morrison's death is still a bit of a mystery. His cause of death is listed as congestive heart failure, but an autopsy wasn't performed by French authorities, as an autopsy wasn't then-required by law. It's hard to imagine the rock landscape without The Doors and without Morrison's one-of-a-kind voice and performance style. He was bold, sexy and mysterious. Countless lead singers continue to emulate his entire vibe to this very day.


Kurt Cobain: February 20, 1967-April 5, 1994.

Kurt-Cobain_Club-Gallery.jpgChris Furlong/Getty Images

Simply put: Cobain was the voice of a generation, Chris Furlong/Getty Images

Donielle Flynn has two kids, two cats, two dogs, and a love of all things rock. She’s been in radio decades and held down top-rated day parts at Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington DC radio stations throughout her tenure. She enjoys writing about rock news, the Detroit community, and she has a series called “The Story Behind” where she researches the history of classic rock songs.