- Joined
- Oct 14, 2010
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- British English
- Home Country
- Czech Republic
- Current Location
- Czech Republic
Some people use 'kindly' in their requests with the meaning of 'Would you be kind enough to' or 'Please'.
I understand their polite intention, but to me kindly has authoritarian or impatient overtones. The Oxford ALD says that the word is "used to ask or tell sb to do sth, especially when you are annoyed", so I am not alone in feeling a negative sense.
However, I hear/see it so often that I am beginning to wonder if my feeling is outdated. I'd be interested to read what other native speakers feel about this.
I understand their polite intention, but to me kindly has authoritarian or impatient overtones. The Oxford ALD says that the word is "used to ask or tell sb to do sth, especially when you are annoyed", so I am not alone in feeling a negative sense.
However, I hear/see it so often that I am beginning to wonder if my feeling is outdated. I'd be interested to read what other native speakers feel about this.