I’M grumpy. Y’know why? Because there’s nothing worse than bastardisation of the English language, especially when it’s happening right under our noses and no one is taking any notice.

About a year ago, you’d hear the odd person slipping the occasional “y’know?” or two in the course of their discussion. Usually, the radio personality would avoid the expression. That was then.

Around this time the Ebola virus was commanding considerable attention throughout the world. But there was another virus waiting in the wings and it was about to go “viral”; the “y’know?” virus.

As casual use of this expression became more and more blatant, even on television, you’d hear sports personalities, members of the public, footballers and the man in the street using “y’know?” more and more, often several times in the one sentence! TV presenters seemed to be immune at first. Then came the explosion.

Almost everyone began to catch the virus, not just the hoi polloi but also members of parliament, visiting dignitaries and overseas rulers; it seemed inescapable. The more you listened for it, the more you heard it. It began to be accepted into everyday conversation!

Now it’s everywhere. You can’t listen to TV or radio without hearing it over and over again. You can’t even hold a conversation with family members without hearing it.

Is there a solution? Maybe we could place a “charity cup” on the table with a fine of 20 cents each time someone says it – at least that way someone might benefit.

Y’know the worst thing about it? It’s so damn addictive, y’know?

Grumpy is an occasional column dedicated purely to things that get up your nose. Readers are invited to vent (no more than 300 words, please) at editor@citynews.com.au