CONTROVERSIAL OPINION: The argument that you should only use 'said' for dialogue is total bollocks.

I mean, sure, you shouldn't be immediately reaching for 'expostulated', or whatever, and the gold standard for dialogue should be needing no signifiers because the whole thing's just so elegant and bursting with personality etc. etc.

But I simply see no reason to take a whole range of words off the table. Apply the same logic to 'walked'. Why shouldn't a character stalk, stride or swagger where appropriate. It adds variety and context.

It's like adverbs. Use with care. Don't use em when you don't need em. But don't use em at all? 'Bollocks,' he furiously expostulated.