"Spot on!" and "Have at it": does anyone else feel sick?

Does anyone else feel sick, hearing these quaint and cute little phrases on the television and reading them in print? It just does not get any more Whateverland than these two little beautiful buzz phrases: "Spot on"; and "have at it". Is this what America needs, more imported British flair?

That's "spot on" as in Nigel's account of Mr. Pimm's appalling behavior at tea was 'spot on'. My gut churns when I hear some actor who is trying to spread his flair use this phrase on a talk. I think Ben Affleck's giant head comes to mind on the Bill Maher show, as he speaks from his giant, overgrown heart. What is it that makes everyone think it's cute to sound like a 58 year old country squire with a few too many. It's not just corny, it's remote, and seems so out of touch with what is going on in America. In fact, it's just plain aloof. Recently a reporter for the Wall Street Journal used "spot on" in his review of something trivial (the history of the Tom Collins).

Here are a few more examples of the sickening rise of the buzz phrase "spot on":

• A basketball player's passing in PA: http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2007/05/26/sports/sports499.txt By Sam Butler , May 26, 2007
• A singer's singing in Buffalo, NY: http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/story/84556.html by Jeff Miers NEWS POP MUSIC CRITIC Updated: 05/26/07 6:46 AM
• A multi millionaire politician's grandstanding on the job loss in NY: http://www.nypost.com/seven/05272007/postopinion/editorials/upstates_agony_editorials_.htm
• A baseball game in MA: http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/boys_bat_at_old_colony_league_news_14_12207.html
• A billboard in NY: http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=60958

Then there's "have at it", as in "if you think you can do a better job making the middle east free then 'have at it' GW". I mean, did we wear out "go for it" in the country, because the last time I checked, we were doing just fine with it, without the fake Queensbury buzz. This too is sickening to hear out of some TV personality or actors mouth, or in print.

Want more? See:

• An former FBI Agent on Gambling: http://www.eog.com/news/full-article.aspx?id=24858
• Baseball in Atlanta, GA: http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2007/05/27/homestand_going.html
• On oil in Palm Beach: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2007/05/28/m12a_Gas_edit_0528.html
• On Wooden bats in baseball in WA: http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/05_28_Lolley_column
• On bargain hunting in CA: http://origin.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_6000140 By Scott HerholdMercury News
  Article Launched: 05/27/2007 01:39:39 AM PDT
• On polishing furniture in DC: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/23/AR2007052301295.html
  By Jeanne Marie LaskasSunday, May 27, 2007; Page W35

Where did it this wave of charming little doodling come from? When did America start rewarding everybody for being so "spot on", leaving "on point" or "exactly right" in the dust. And just when did we become so damn ready to "have at it", and so willing to leave good 'ol "go for it" behind. It's like you wake up one morning in Whateverland, and you find everyone turning a phrase like some cheap PBS imported British re-run featuring a detective, a prime minister, or a butler with so very much to say.

Why are otherwise smart American's so charmed by the outbreak of "spot on" and "have at it" that they repeat these buzz phrases as if they are adding something more than a floppy little decorative scribble to what they have to say? Is Rupert paying everybody to talk like him now?

What's next, long cigarette holders, tea time and ascots?