The use of 'kindly'

[5jj]

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However, I hear/see it so often that I am beginning to wonder if my feeling is outdated.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.

 

[riquecohen]

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However, I hear/see it so often that I am beginning to wonder if my feeling is outdated.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 agree. In addition to the overtones you ascribe to it, I would add condescending.

 

[MrRubik]

I find that it's normally used by people in a subservient (don't know if that's exactly the word I mean) position in a formal setting where they feel obliged to use some kind of pleasantry even though they don't want to. I always find it very disingenuous, it seems the word of choice for people who don't want to be pleasant but feel they have to.

Subservient I meant like secretaries and people who work in customer services, there's probably a far better word to describe this relationship!

 

[riquecohen]

Subservient I meant like secretaries and people who work in customer services, there's probably a far better word to describe this relationship!

Subordinate?

 

[MrRubik]

Subordinate?

Um....I avoided that word. I wanted a word that had no connotations of inferiority and just described the relationship between customer/client and someone working in a position where there is an obligation to be hospitable.

 

[Barb_D]

The phrase "Kindly do the needful" seems to be a standard component of a request for assistance written in Indian English.

I would love to hear from 2010 or another native speaker of Indian English on this.