Actually, "decimate" used to mean "to select by lot and kill every tenth one" (as in Roman soldiers), but in modern times it is properly used as a synonym for eradicate or annihilate.

Re: When did "you're welcome" become "no problem"?
 

I've not heard anyone comment on this since my father mentioned it to me a few years ago. Now I always think of him when I hear this casual reply.

Good one.

Bob

hmm... An interesting thread I'm in the customer service business (computer helpdesk) and I use "no problem" a fair amount. with my "no problem" I try to convey the fact that we are here for them and that whatever needs they have we can take care of and nothing is a problem. Many of my clients are hesitent to call because it would make a bother out of something small so by using "no problem" I'm conveying that nothing is too small to be called in.

And yes everyone gets called by Sir or Ma'am unless I know them personally then they get called by their first name.

Opinions?

I've been wondering the same thing for a while now. I guess it's one of those little things that shouldn't bother me but it does!

If something truly is "no problem," then that is an excellent reply. If you're asked to do something - "Can you also bring me a glass of water, please?" - the "no problem" response is fine. What you're really saying is, "Yes, I'd be glad to bring you some water."
I'm just objecting to its use when the more correct response should be "you're welcome."

Of course then there's the use of "he's all," and "she's all," instead of "he said" and "she said."

I use the phrase "f**k off"...somehow it sends the right message without sounding too 80's...ya know?

My personal favorite, especially coming from my sixteen year old."WHATEVER"

The deadly combination:

"he's all....and then I was like.....but then he goes.....and she was all....and I was like, WHATEVERRR."

huh?
:D

Good on ya.

Totally.

I am so sure...

As if.........

No way.
Way.
No way!
Way!
NO WAY!
WAY!

Dude!
Dude?
Doooooood.
Dude!?!
dude.

Leader, your totally missing it! The person saying "no problem", is conveying a message that it could have been a problem. What he should say is "Yes", or "I'll be right back with it", or "Certainly", not "no problem".

You may have missed the opening post in this string. What got me started on all this was how often I've been hearing "No problem" in response to my saying "thank you."
The "No problem" response to a request is fine. It's when someone thanks you for something that I find "No problem" to be the wrong response. It's "picky," I know.

I didn't miss the first post, and I think were saying the same thing. "No problem" literally means there isn't a problem (maybe this time?), what it conveys to me is that the person (without thinking) it could have been a problem. Its replaced "your welcome", and other declarative statements such as "yes" or "I'll be right back with your water"