What do I do about my wife's irritating habit? Anne Robinson advises

A reader asks

My wife has taken to saying ‘that’ll see us out’ when we buy anything new for the house – most recently, even a pair of rubber gloves.

Our children find it amusing, but it irritates me beyond belief. What can I do to make her stop?

Anne Robinson's reply

Here’s an adage that recommends every day in a marriage six things should go unsaid. It’s not the easiest piece of advice to follow, I agree.

The question is, should one of those things left unsaid be the annoying phrase your wife keeps using? Or should it be you telling her what for?

Alas, deciding who is right or wrong in a marital dispute inevitably ends up with one triumphant partner followed by a cross, indignant one.

If you’ve never raised the matter, I suspect your wife hasn’t the foggiest idea that she is driving you nuts.

Most certainly you could address the issue by self-righteously declaring, "In our diminishing years, do you really want to be remembered for pathetically and moronically announcing, 'This will see us out' every time we buy something new?"

Or would you prefer to be Mr Nice Charming Husband, the sort others look upon as admirable and tolerant?

In which case I suggest you simply smile and say, "Yes, you might be right."