The word "whatever" was voted the most irritating word in the English language not once but one two consecutive years!  Why such animosity towards the word?  Probably the way people use it as a response.  When used as a one word answer, you're pretty much brushing off someone's question.  It can also be interpreted as being indecisive which might be less offensive but equally annoying.  "Whatever" is sometimes accompanied but rolling of the eyes which makes it doubly chaffing.

In the past year I've used "whatever" only a couple times and definitely with the intention of dismissing the other person's question.  I might have extended to "do whatever you want" but using it to the same effect.  I wanted the other person to know that things were not alright and as someone who is normally caring and choosy of his words, I purposely said it to raise red flags.  Unfortunately, I don't know if that message was conveyed.  Eh...whatever.