maddening cliché, adverb
1. A word overused in the wrong way by ignorant British speakers who mean ‘of course’ but for some reason will not use that perfectly adequate phrase.
2. Used as a filler word to hold the floor in a conversation,
the ignorant, British speaker believing that ‘obviously’ sounds intellectual, unlike ‘er, um’.
3. In an obvious manner, overtly.
4. A word used to excuse the speaker for stating something which is openly apparent to the listener.
Example:
1. Shane: “So I was in the darkroom all alone, right? And obviously, my daughter having secretly swapped the chemicals for some other ones, the fumes obviously sent me to sleep. Obviously, I didn’t wake up until the
meteorite burst through the ceiling.”
Cedric: “Obvious to whom? You are an oaf, Shane.”
2. “Well, Gary … we’re going to go out there and play some football today and, er, hopefully,
come away with a result …obviously… cuz… well, that’s what football’s about, at the end of the day – obviously – the results speak for themselves and basically, it’s all about the
silverware on the
sideboard at the end of the season so we’re going to try to score some goals and …obviously…”
3. “
Dicky was coming on to Harriet so obviously that we all covered our faces and groaned with embarrassment.”
4. “It was at that point, officer that he stabbed me. Sorry about the blood all over your shoes. My shirt is ruined, obviously. Do you think I could claim for that on my insurance?”