World list

A
absolutely
1. Used instead of "yes" and, still worse, when compounded with a word like
"certain": "absolutely certain."
2. Everyone says it, no one means it, it drives me crazy. "Yes," "correct," "I agree,"
or even the overused "precisely," would be more tolerable.
acrossed
I cannot tell you the number of times I've heard this and have cringed! It's
"across," as in "across the street." Argh!
acting out — behave badly; misbehave
Just psychobabble.
action — to act
A verb created from a noun not previously lacking in a root verb, namely, to act.
Favored by lazy administrators as a way of making their mundane tasks seem
more consequential or deliberate. "When we have received the report from
management, we will action their recommendations immediately." Apparently,
act (on, upon) or implement doesn't create enough of an illusion that something
will actually happen. By forcing the word action into their speech, they foolishly
believe it evokes images of thrilling car chases and back-alley shootouts, rather
than somniferous pencil-pushing. When one hears action used as a verb, one can
expect to see very little actual action in the form of a noun.
actually
Constantly overused!
advise — to inform; to tell
In the sense of to tell or to notify. For example, "He advised the committee that
the budget was being developed."
aka — also known as
I really hate aka -- and my spell checker doesn't know it! How is one supposed to
pronounce it and what does it really mean? More importantly, what happened
to the perfectly good word alias? From the usage one encounters, aka seems to
mean alias so why not say the proper word.
allegedly
A sloppy word misused by lazy journalists under the false belief it frees them from
libel. A person cannot allegedly do something, rather someone else has to allege
the crime. Wrong: "Bob Jones allegedly stole the car." Correct: "Police allege Bob
Jones stole the car."
alot — a lot
Please for the love of God! "Alot" is not a word.

alright
Instead of the correct wording: "all right."
amazing
Extremely popular with teenage girls, it's the new "awesome."
anal — fussy
Anal (short for anal-retentive): the new all-purpose pop psychology buzzword
that's come to replace "fussy," "particular," "careful," "conservative," "oldfashioned," etc. Used extensively by a**holes.
and/or
The conditions of or cover the conditions of and. If a and b are true, a or b is also
true.
"X"-year anniversary
It's our 3-year anniversary" - this used to be "It's our third anniversary." Even
worse - "X"-month anniversary. Webster's definition of anniversary: "The annual
recurrence of a date marking a notable event" Adding "-year" is redundant, and
using "month" is silly as it's a portion of a year.
anticipate
Used frequently instead of "expect". US "media" talk incessantly of every event
they have instructed their audience to expect as "highly anticipated". To
anticipate is to take action based on an expectation, e.g., you anticipate
hyperinflation by buying things.
antiquing — shopping for antiques
1. I hate that. When I go to the grocery store, am I fooding?
2. Hey I love the list! The only thing is, the only way I've ever encountered the
word "antiquing" is in the sense of performing alterations on a piece (sanding,
adding a patina, etc.) to give it an older appearance; a popular do-it-yourself kind
of operation. Which is still a slightly annoying word, but a little less annoying than
if used to mean "shopping."
3. I wouldn't know how to describe what it was that I once so hated to do with
my parents on trips to New England or upstste NY, but now love passionately:
"antiquing." Shopping for antiques sure as hell doesn't work for me!
a number of — some; several
Zero is a number. Why not just say "some" or "several"?
anxious
I don't really hate the word, just that everyone uses it wrong! It is from the
German angst, for fear or dread. Anxious means to look with fear or dread or
loathing about something to happen in the future, but everyone else uses it like
they are looking forward with glee or happiness or eagerness! Just wrong!
anyways

1. "Anyways" is not a real word. It should just be "anyway."
2. Perhaps it is only in Canada, but the young use this word all the time, to my
intense distress. I forbid my grandchildren to use it!
as always
Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News uses it every night. Tune in and listen. It will
drive you nuts.
aspic — a clear jelly typically made of stock and gelatin and used as a glaze or
garnish or to make a mold of meat, fish, or vegetables.
It sounds like a friggin snake, and I hate snakes.. plus, Aspic is a jelly made from
meat stock, ok yuk!.. Making aspic is notoriously difficult and reserved for Julia
Childesque cooks who think they have mastered osso buco and other congealed
delicacies that Andrew Zimmern would gasp at.
athalete — athlete
Idiot's version of "athlete." Why must sports announcers continually misspeak
this simple noun? From where does the extra syllable come?
awesome — good
1. An all-purpose adjective for "good." Up until two decades ago, "awesome" was
reserved for the sublime: i.e., an F5 tornado or God. The casual use of this word
is more loathesome than "groovy" was in the 60s.
2. In high school, I had the word "awesome" criticized in an essay as inappropriate
slang. In response, I began using the alternate spelling "Ossim" when I was using
it as slang, but left it spelled correctly when used correctly.
awkward
It's so odd to say and type, not to mention that it the spelling seems to be
awkward in itself.
axed — asked
1. Idiot's version of "asked." Hate it! You have some of my other peeve words
here!
2. Very few people actually use this implement to chop wood any more since the
advent of central HVAC, yet it seems to be the way a lot of younger people
request things — by AXING someone!
B
back in the day
What's wrong with using "in the past" or "long ago"? This one makes me cringe
every single time someone utters it.
bar-b-cue — barbecue
Is it really too hard to just write "barbecue"? This tacky spelling reeks of laziness
and plain weirdness. I'm tired of seeing it.
basically

After scanning the list, and finding I am not the only person who detests the use
of awesome ... hurrah ... I add basically to the list. Why must people begin an
explanation with this word?
behaviors — behavior
Behaviors is pretentious, entirely unnecessary extension of behavior — a word
almost never used until about fifteen years ago. Yes, Shakespeare used it, but he
could and the rest of us should not.
big ask
America's misuse of the verb "to ask" has now slimed its way into Britain. "It's a
big ask" is used to mean "That's a major request" or "That's an extravagant
expectation."
big of a deal
Why do people say, "it's not that big of a deal"? It should be "it's not that big a
deal".
birding
Bird-brained substitute for "bird-watching."
birfday
Along with Valentime's day. What do users think when they see these words
written?
bling
I HATE this word. Most of the offenders seem to be 50+ year old women
describing their bedazzled kitty cat sweatshirt. Give it a rest!
blog — web log
1. Blog and blogger are ugly neologisms for a web journal ("web log") and
someone who keeps it ("web logger"). Of all the new words coming from the web,
these are not only the ugliest, but their meanings are furthest from what the
sounds of the words actually suggest. Sadly, they've taken hold, and will probably
be here awhile.
2. It sounds so ugly! Like a "blogged" toilet or bowel. Or "flog" with its cruel
associations.
bottom-line
"Can you bottom-line that for me" is just heinous. I can't explain it further; it
simply gives me hives.
bought brought
As in "I brought it at the shop." Christ on a bike! Brought is NOT the past tense of
buy.
bucket — a group; category
A vogue word used by financial and legal folks indicating a group or category.
Time to kick the bucket!
burgle — burglarize; steal from

C
caucus
Used as "office-speak" in place of the word "meeting" far too often. "We'll have
to causus on this subject later." I hate it! In the world of people not trying to
impress others with their extensive vocabulary, caucus is defined as a meeting of
supporters or members of a political party.
cervix
I realize that this is digusting, but I do believe it rightfully belongs on the list of
Worst Words. As it means "the neck of the vagina", the very sound of that word
is disgusting, and I gag when I hear it. It conjurs mucousy images when spoken.
Gross!
chair — chairman; chairwoman
chichi — showy; precious; fashionable
chillax
Just awful, simply awful. It takes two otherwise okay verbs ("chill," which I know
is old slang, and "relax") and combines them into a dumb-sounding "chillax."
chortle
Is it necessary to comment, or is the onomatopoeia sufficient to turn your
stomach?
chum — talk
Images of mucus and chewed cheese spring to mind with alacrity.
clean — cleanliness; freshness
"Clean" when used as a noun, e.g., in detergent commercials, "This product will
give you a fresh-smelling clean!" Blecccch.
cloister
The sound of this word just pisses me off! The only thing worse than hearing it is
looking at its spelling while saying it aloud. C-L-O-I-S-T-E-R, cloister. I take that
back, typing it makes it even worse. I'm so mad right now.
closure — conclusion
What I'll never attain until this word is stricken from the English language.
comfy
compartmentalize
The noun is "compartment" and the verb is "to compartment," e.g., "We will
compartment this activity from that."
complected
Complected isn't even a word. At least not when I went to school. When referring
to skin, complexion is the correct word. She has a nice complexion... She has a
dark complexion, not, she's dark complected.
comprehensive

This word is so overused after GWB decided to use it. Now it's a buzzword used
in so many contexts that it's practically lost its real meaning. Even when used
correctly, it annoys me now.
consequently
My mom uses this word waaaaay too much.
contemporary
This excrescence, once redolent of Naugahyde furniture and bong water, has
resurfaced as a favorite of syllable addicts. Those who know what it means may
use it and its cousin "contemporaneous" once a year without meriting contempt.
All others should stick to "modern" or "present-day."
conversate
It's converse. It's converse. I hate it. I hate it.
copacetic — satisfactory; fine
coronate
It is not a word. The act is a coronation but the receiver of the act is crowned not
coronated, even if Rush Limbaugh does not think so.
corpuscule
Makes me think of a putrid squid-type creature. This word gives me the shivers.
could care less
This phrase is constantly and almost universally misused. I cannot remember the
right version of the phrase having been spoken or written by anyone for as long
as I can recall. The phrase is typically used to convey one's total disregard for an
object of contempt. Should complete disregard be intended, however, the
wording should be "could not care less." If the user truly could "care less," some
concern clearly remains and he or she obviously holds some minimal regard for
the object of contempt. With any remaining regard for said object of contempt,
the phrase is pointless.
could of, should of, would of
Idiots forms of "could have," "should have," "would have." It's ruining the world;
it's everywhere and it's disgusting.
cousin brother (sister) — brother (sister)
That's how it is in India!
crispy
AARGH! Crispy is cutesy! Why doesn't anyone understand that?
criteria — criterion
"Criteria," instead of "criterion," used in a singular sense; as a plural, it becomes
"criterias."
cry

1. I hate it when people do it! 2. People ALWAYS say that word when having
conversations with other people!!! 3. That word is used frequently in many songs
sung by popular song artists.
cyber- (anything)
D
dab
I can't quite say why I don't like this word. It makes me think of someone pinching
her fingers and making a squirrel face.
dawg
Whattup, Dawg? Not your IQ, dude...at least, that's what you sound like. And I
thought "Geet along lil' dogie was bad."
delicious
Oooo...this is de-lisshhh-shussssss....ugh! Can't you just say it tastes great?
Delicious is so over-the-top and deserves to be abbreviated into "delish," which
is just as bad, but at least you get it over with quicker.
deplane — to disembark
Shouldn't this be disembark instead of the ridiculous neologism?
dialogue — talk
What's wrong with "talk" or "conversation"? This is now used as a code word for
"I'm willing to talk but I'm never going to listen."
differential — difference
Basketball announcers often use this word to describe the difference between
the game clock and the shot clock: "there's a three-second differential between
the game clock and the shot clock."
dinghy
I hate the word dinghy. I would classify this word as "unspeakable," because there
are no fitting substitutes.
dis (dissed)
The root word has been so disrespected that sometimes I can't remember what
it means.
disconnect — a misunderstanding
disorientated
I realize you have an entry for "orientate," but I have to call attention to this one.
I heard it while watching a television nature program on Emperor Penguins.
According to the narrator, adults returning from the sea from feeding may
encounter fog, which is very hazardous, because it "can cause them to become
disorientated." I almost came out of my chair.
disrespect — to humiliate; degrade; debase
As a verb. It's even worse in the past tense as in, "She disrespected me in front of
the kids."

don't go there
The subject not open for debate. Discussion of the topic is offensive. You are
walking on soft ground. An idiot cannot defend a premise.
do your due diligence
Legalspeak that has crept into everyday speech. It should be deep-sixed for
reasons too many to count, but here are three:
1. You don't "do" due diligence, you exercise or effect it.
2. Avoid the "doo-doo" sound at all costs; it sounds like a potty-training manual.
3. Legalspeak should be banned on principle.
drownd, drownded
The word is DROWN. The past tense is DROWNED. People who say this sound like
morons.
drug
According to the dictionary, the word "drug," is "a chemical substance used in the
treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise
enhance physical or mental well-being." It is not the past-tense of "drag" as in "I
drug the body down the stairs." This misusage seems particularly popular with
Judge Judy litigants.
dude
1. I have an intelligent 14 year old daughter who has managed to incorporate
"dude" into her normal vocabulary. It really makes her sound like a slacker!!
2. Oh my Heavens! This word goes along with the line of beer bottles you've
arranged on your bookshelf...as decor! Now go get an education and put some
books on those shelves.
E
eatery — restaurant
It sounds revolting. It is crass American shorthand, and invokes images of gross
people stuffing handfuls of unspeakable food into open, salivating mouths.
ecscape — escape
Idiot's version of "escape."
educator
This pompous noun has replaced "teacher."
empower
This ugly construction is found everywhere. It has become a worst word by virtue
of its constant inane usage.
engage with — read; participate
Why are academics suddenly (or so it seems to me) so fond of the phrase "engage
with"? Students don't read a book nowadays, they "engage with" it. They don't
participate in class discussions, either. They simply "engage."
enjoy

I think I first started disliking this word when waiters began using it as an übercheery command.
enthused — enthusiastic; excited
epic — 1. of, constituting, having to do with, or suggestive of a literary epic. 2.
surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size. 3. heroic and
impressive in quality.
It's epic how epically people have ruined the epicocity of epic and epics
everywhere. Please forget the word epic.
eponymous (i-PON-ah-mes) — of, relating to, or constituting an eponym (A
person whose name is or is thought to be the source of the name of something,
such as a city, country, or era)
Used to death in fashion mags, reviews of small businesses and sunday magazine
pieces. As in "we interviewed ellen fishwanger in her eponymous boutique in
Williamsburg."
equanimous — composed; not easily elated or depressed
eriadite — erudite
Idiot's version of "erudite."
excetera — et cetera
Et cetera is a two-word Latin phrase meaning "and [et] others [cetera]." The first
word is "et" pronounced "ĕt" and rhymes with "pet." The first word is NOT
pronounced with a "hard c" or "hard x" sound, as in "expert" or "ecstasy." The
second word begins with a "soft c" sound, as begins "circus." Say this: "et-set-era" and NOT "ex-set-er-a."
exciting
It is used so frequently it has lost its meaning. It is one of the favorite crutches
used by people speaking in front of an audience (e.g., politicans, motivational
speakers, teachers, etc.). Its use can be perceived as a futile attempt to convince
people that something is great (e.g., when being trained on something trivial at
work and the trainer asks: "Isn't this exciting?") or heading in the right direction
(e.g., when a CEO tries to convey the message that "these are exciting times, blah,
blah, blah"). The word is so overused, many times it ends up meaning the exact
opposite.
expresso — espresso
How can you not have this horrible word? Anyone uttering this low-brow gutterEnglish should be brought up on charges!
F
fab
Magazines and commentators using fab for fabulous which is in itself overused.
fabulous

People use this word to lend a trendy, red-carpet flair to their speech.
Unfortunately, like many overexposed celebrities, this word has worn out its
welcome!
fail
This has been, and should remain, a verb. The noun form of "fail" is "failure."
fambam — family and close friends that are like family.
Any user of this hideous creation should be forbidden to breed.
Febuary
This should be directed against a financial news station that has, otherwise, good
reporting. I cringe whenever I hear the wrong pronunciation for the entire month
of February.
fecund
It's supposed to mean "fertile" and "prolific," but the sound of it merely evokes
images of fecal matter.
feedback — information; response; comments
facilitate — to make easy or easier
famously — excellently; splendidly
Overused and unnecessary. "'Cogito ergo sum,' as Descartes famously
remarked." Ugh! He may have said it loudly, but he didn't say it famously.
first and foremost first; foremost
It's annoying. I never know what they mean by it.
flush out — flesh out
Another gem from a manager making tens of thousands of dollars more than I; it
was also news to her that the Chinese language comes in more than one variety.
funky
folks
Are we in Appalachia?
framiliar
If it needed an "r," it would have one.
f--Bandied around so often it has no sound or impact anymore. Often used by
disgruntled consumers and white trash who lack the education to compose a
rational, intelligent statement. When in doubt, go for the "f" word.
functionality — usefulness; usability
funky
futilitarian
I don't give a damn if it has been around for 200 years: it was and is childishly
derivative. Get it gone.
G
garage

When you say it, the g's feel sort of like they are stuck in the back of your throat.
It's just unpleasant.
gay — stupid
1. At my high school, I continue to hear the word gay used incorrectly: "Man, this
test is gay," or "The computer class was gay." In this sense of the word, gay is a
substitute for dumb or stupid. This incorrect usage drives me crazy!
2. When did this become the pejorative of choice? "This gay class" "that hat is so
gay". Please. Aside from the common connotation that equates gay with
homosexual, the word itself means "happy". You have a happy class? Glad to hear
it. Your hat is happy? Hats can have emotions? I'm confused!
gemutlichkeit
It scares me. It means warm friendliness. Does that sound friendly to you? first of
all (not to be racist) it's almost unadulterated german. German is not a pretty
language. Second of all it sounds like I am saluting Hitler.
gender
The word for people whose pretentious stuffiness belies their inability to say
*sex* without tittering like a ten-year-old. (They probably can't say *tittering*
with a straight face either.)
gentleman
Misused by servile types to mean any male — "The gentleman was extremely
drunk at the time and doesn't recall grabbing the young lady's posterior."
ghastly
Vile on the auditory senses, sounds archaic, and should be immediately removed
from all dictionaries. Only ever promulgated by elitist toffs who are oblivious to
the fact that it instantly defines them as a total cretin.
gift — give
Used most frequently in publications created by companies that deal with
money, as in "You can gift up to $9000 to your grandchildren."
ginormous — gigantic; enormous
1. I almost spat out my coffee this morning after learning that the MerriamWebster dictionary saw fit to add this word to the lexicon.
2. It's just stupid. Who could love this word?
glad
I mean come on, just say it out loud. Doesn't it feel weird in your throat? There
are better ways to express satisfaction with a situation than to discomfort your
glottis.
gobsmacked — surprised, astonished
My vote for one of the least attractive words in the English language today
(leaving aside some of the four-letter ones) would have to go to "gobsmacked." I

don't know if it is in use in American English but it is not uncommon in British and
Australian English and is an unappealing alternative for surprised, astonished,
dumbfounded, aghast, etc.
going forward — in the future
What's wrong with "in the future"? My respect for the speaker plummets when I
hear this one. This is business-speak babble at worst, and is redundant, at best.
"In the future" has worked just fine up to this "time frame" (that's another, but
I'll save it for a later rant). Besides, the way most corporate word-manglers use
this phrase, it is evident from context that the future is implied. Who cares about
changing goals "going backward"?
gone (went) missing
How about the expression "gone missing," which, as I understand it, was
originally used by the British military during World War I to describe soldiers
missing in action. It is not clear to me just when or how it has entered the
American lexicon, but I find it intensely irritating and particularly asinine, as when
some fool writes "his laptop (computer) went missing," as if it slid down its shift
keys and crept away.
If John goes fishing, he fishes. If Joan goes swimming, she swims. What exactly
does anyone or anything that goes missing doing? Missing? How does one miss?
Kidnap victims are now said to have "gone missing," as if they had kidnapped
themselves, or are busily missing away during their ordeals.
gots
Just grammatical foolishness! UGH. That gots to be the most preposterous
thing!!!
graciousness
The noun from "gracious" is "grace," nothing else.
gravitas — 1. substance; weightiness. 2. a dignified demeanor.
ground zero
1. I wonder if there has been any discussion concerning the media's new favorite
term ground zero? There has to be a better, more sensitive way to refer to the
results of that terrorist act. Hearing talking heads using the term over and over
trivializes the thing we are deeply concerned about. I bet (to question) it is too
politically incorrect to rate a discussion. Perhaps I am wrong in being irritated.
2. "Ground zero" is where the bomb goes off (originally, a bomb of the nuclear
variety); OK, and an apt term for the twin towers that came down on 9/11. It's
NOT a synonym for "square one," which is the point at which we start something
new. I know, 'zero' and 'one' sound like places near the beginning of something,
but these two expressions are not equivalent. The headline "Church Destroyed
at Ground Zero is still at Square One" recognizes the difference.
grow — to increase; to expand

Annoying and overly general when used in corporate lingo. "In the second
quarter, we expect to grow the business internationally." Also: Grow profits, grow
income, grow revenues. "Increase" revenue, and "expand" business will do nicely,
thank you.
guesstimate — to estimate
1. Use estimate, for crying out loud! It's the same word!
2.You can "guess" or "estimate." Why create a new "word" to say the same thing?
guys
I don't think this word has been properly used since the musical "Guys 'n' Dolls."
Everyone is now a "guy." I am all for equality of the sexes, but there are limits. I
do not enjoy being referred to as one of the "guys," as in the annoying "Hi, guys!"
and it's one woman greeting a group of female friends.
H
healthy — healthful
Healthy is a nonsensical synonym for "healthful" ("a healthy meal," "a healthy
lifestyle") that even respected writers and publications use frequently.
heighth
1. I'd heard this gruesome mispronunciation so often during my first year in the
US, I felt like I had whiplash from my double-takes. Fortunately my pure hatred
of "axed" - the bastardized version of ask, has somewhat numbed me to these
American "neologisms."
2. Ugh! I hear people say "I'm afraid of heights" and never mispronounce it. But
when they describe the heighth of something, it gets butchered. Why-th??
hey!
In common usage as a substitute for any greeting: hello, good morning,
afternoon, evening. We are even subjected to the admonition to "say 'hey'" to
so-and-so.
holistic — comprehensive; total
Yet another example of business executives trying to use jargon to make them
sound big and clever. I want to hear no more about holistic regeneration and
holistic approaches, when comprehensive will do.
homophobia, Islamophobia
1. These are, of course, not at all fears, but a pervasive distrust. Still, they could
be acceptable if "heterophobia" and "Christophobia" entered the lexicon.
2. I agree with what it says here already, in that it is not fear but hatred. However,
it is a miscoined word, as words beginning with homo- mean smae, so the word
should mean the complete opposite of what was meant.
hone in — home in
So many people believe that to "hone in on" a target is correct. Have they never
heard of bees homing in on their hive, homing devices on missiles, etc? To hone

means to sharpen, as honing the edge of a blade. I'd like to use a sharp blade on
those who "hone into" anything.
honestly
Honestly, I use this word all the time.. but half the time. It's just like "actually."
You can say a sentence without it, but you just don't.
hopefully — with luck; I hope; it is to be hoped
Constantly misused to mean with luck or I hope that.
how are you?
"I'm good." — Remarkably widespread among the educated.
humbleness
The noun from humble in humility. Nothing else.
humongous — huge; monstrous
I
icon
Originally a fine word and even useful in its cyber context, its meaning has been
lost in such construtions as "iconic image," which can best be described as a
redundant tautology.
iconic
"Icon" is already listed here, but I want to add my fist- shaking two cents against
"iconic." It has come to the point nowadays where EVERYTHING is "iconic," even
non-visual things. Music is "iconic"; food is "iconic"; What's up?! Enough already.
idear
There is no R on the end of this word!
i.e. — that is
In spoken language, "i.e." is pronounced "that is," not "eye ee."
I mean
Meaningless formula (a verbal tic, if you will) used habitually by many to begin
nearly every sentence, especially those that are not intended to clarify anything
preceding them.
impact — to affect; to influence
impacted
Look it up!!!!It means "to be jammed firmly together" or "wedged between"(like
an impacted tooth) A made up word, used by self important fools in an attempt
to make themselves sound intelligent.
impactful
The quality of attracting attention or creating a positive impression. (Someone in
upper management at a publishing company told me, "Well, in the case of
impactful, that actually is a word" to reprimand me for mocking co-workers' use
of non-words such as "incentivize" and "gift," as a verb. I was laid off a few short
weeks after this comment. The manager had come from a management position

in advertising but had given herself the title Executive Editor at our publishing
company.)
importantly
Although clearly an adverb, it is used in the adjectivial phrase "most importantly"
when what is wanted is simply "most important."
imput — input
Idiot's version of "input."
incent — to motivate
It means, in the corporate-speak I've heard, to motivate someone to do
something by promising something if they do. Then the thing they get is an
incentive. That word is fine, but it does not automatically beget a verb. My
problem with "incent" is that it gives the subject no credit for a decision. They
become a perfectly predictable robot, subject to the whims and offerings of the
clever, incentive-offering manager.
I need you to ...
A completely unacceptable replacement for "please."
input — ideas; comments; opinion; information
incredibly
Misused, lazy intensifier favored by public-relations people and blowhards
everywhere. "She's incredibly talented." What is it about her talent that is not
believable?
insightful
I despise this word. It is a bureaucrat's invention because he/she couldn't think
of "perceptive." P.S. "operationalize" is another of this type of "cock-up" — the
correct word is "deploy" (I know you already have an entry for this.)
instant classic
How can something instantly be a classic? This is a stupid marketing phrase that
has unfortunately become part of everyday speech.
invite
1. "Invite" is only and always a verb; never is it a noun.
2. It is a verb and a good verb; it is not a noun; the noun is "invitation." Nothing
else.
3. Invite is a verb, invitation is a noun, and I'm very fed up with those who send
me "invites."
ironic
Constantly confused with "coincidental." It is NOT ironic that a snowstorm hit the
Northeast on the same day in two different years. It is a coincidence. "Ironic"
refers to the use of a word to convey the opposite meaning, or to express
incongruity. As in: "It is ironic that the thinnest contestant ate the greatest
number of hot dogs in the allotted time."

irregardless — regardless
issue — problem; difficulty
"Issue" seems to have supplanted "problem" among the vocabulary deficient as
the all-purpose word for anything difficult or disliked. Especially bad is the
psychobabble "has issues with."
J
j'eat?
Instead of Did you eat? In answer to the original question...No, j'ou??
jewelry
Jew-la-ree! Anyone who mispronounces this shouldn't be allowed to wear it.
junta
I actually like the word, it's the pronunciation I hate. Newscasters used to say the
J hard and long. It's a spanish word, the J should sound like an H.
K
key — chief; critical; main
Adjectival "key," once reserved for crucial openers of figurative locks, is now so
overused — for the merely somewhat related as well as for the crucial — as to
have lost all meaning. Many speakers seem to call just about everything and
anyone "key." To quote my 1966 edition of "Modern American Usage": "The
interests of good writing suggest that we leave 'key' in actual or conceivable locks
and reinstate the simple qualifiers 'chief', 'main', 'prime', 'important',
'outstanding' where the logic of a lock and a key isn't evident." And I find
constructions such as "____ is key" particularly awful.
kismet
L
leery — wary; cautious
leet 1. elite. 2. good; great
A silly slang term that has nothing to recommend it. It's a shibboleth that
identifies people who care little about language.
letters (colors, numbers)
Example: "Little Johnny already knows all of his letters." His letters? He has a
different set than the rest of us? The correct way would be to say "Johnny already
knows all of the letters of the alphabet." Being a mom, I hear it a lot from other
parents and it always bugs me.
leverage — to capitalize on; to parlay
I hate it when people use to leverage when what they really mean is to capitalize
upon or to parlay. For instance, I have a dollar. I want to turn that into twelve
dollars by buying a share of Dizzy.com stock. (I didn't say I was smart.) I tell my
stock broker, "Hey! Buy me a share of Dizzy.com so I can leverage my dollar
instead of letting it burn a hole in my pocket!"

liaise — to establish a liaison
The worst word that I have come across is liase. Argh!
liability
This is an obnoxious word. Often used in lengthy public liability insurance policy
documentation and key fact documents.
library
It's library, people! Librrrrrrrary!
lie berry — library
Please, it is pronounced library (LI-brer-ee), not lie berry!
like
I'm so surprised I looked through the list and didn't find this word? Isn't this the
word that is THE CLICHE of hated words, especially as used in the beginning of a
comment, as in, "Like, didn't you see that!?" And overused by every famous
socialite around!
likely
Likely is an adjective, e.g., "It is likely that..." or "a likely story." It is really stupid
to use it as an adverb instead of "probably", e.g., "The government will likely
adopt a neutral budget,"just to sound financially knowledgeable.
literally
I don't hate the word, I hate that no one uses it correctly. The Kardashian sisters
use it constantly and incorrectly, and I think they are the reason for its recent
popularity. Can someone please tell them that a person can't "literally have
butterflies in their stomach" unless they ate a butterfly?
look
During conversations on news programs, when someone starts every sentence
with, "Look ... "
loop in
Why must corporate-speak infiltrate the rest of my world? I've talked about
looping in friends on things that are not email related; don't get me started on
"circling back."
luckily
It just sounds a little kiddish.
love
1. Love is the emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. 2. Highly used
without understanding the definition, often used instead of lust it's just passion,
don't make it more than it is it is annoying.
M
mcmansion
Why do we give this fast-food chain this credit? What does it mean? Can we
franchise?

meal
I hate it when a waiter says "enjoy your meal" Should say "enjoy your dinner,
lunch," etc. Meal reminds me of some kind of gruel or sticky oatmeal.
meaningful
Usually to describe a discussion or, worse still, "dialogue." Can it even BE a
discussion if it is without meaning? I was recently involved in a court case where
the decision turned on the judge's emphatic view that "meaningful consultation"
(the term used in the contract at issue) was more than "consultation."
megabucks — millions of dollars
meltdown
"I'm having a meltdown." So what? Get over it!
methodology — method
mind-bottling — mind-boggling
Idiot's version of "mind-boggling."
minted
Commonly used, at least in the UK, to describe something that is really good. Why
can't people say that it's really good? It's so overused! I hear this annoying word
every day and it drives me mad!
mischievous/mis-chee-vee-ious
This one has been bothering me since early grade school. It was used by the
teachers who were teaching me to read using the phonics method...it is used
incorrectly so often it is ignored
moist
"Moist" should never ever be used to describe anything except for chicken and
maybe cake.
morish — yummy; one wants more of it.
I hate this "word"; it is in the category of non-words that creep into the common
vernacular, and as most people are dumb, most people begin to use them as real
words ... and then because they are part of common usage, they are added to
the dictionary! For many years, I assumed something that was "morish" was a
product of "Moreland" or some such place. I realize that this does make me
somewhat ignorant on the geography side of things, but I guess I was just giving
people too much credit.
moving forward
Ms.
(No, not a manuscript.) You're only liberated if you're making more money.
my bad
Yes, very, very bad. Apologize as if you really meant it, please.
myself

1. Myself is a reflexive pronoun. It refers to the speaker, as in "I hurt myself." It is
not equivalent to "I" or "me." Imagine saying "Myself is going to the mall" or "You
hurt myself." Yuck. Get over the business prohibition against using "I" and "me."
2. Correct as far as it goes. As well as a reflexive pronoun, it is an intensive
pronoun, as in "I myself did such and such," wherein in emphasizes (intensifies)
the subject of the sentence.
N
namby pamby 1. weakly sentimental; insipid. 2. without vigor. 3. wishy-washy
You sound so stupid and overall give off an air of incompetence when you say this
word.
networking — developing contacts; interacting with others, esp. to further one's
career
It's lost all humanity. Even fish don't want to be in nets.
nice — agreeable; pleasant
The word I dislike the most is the word "nice" used to mean courteous, amiable,
or pretty. Many teenage girls use this word to describe their classmates.
Noder Dayme
A beautiful French name that is almost always murderously mispronounced.
Notre Dame is properly promounced "Notr Dahm."
no problem
1.No replacement for "you are welcome" or, more elegantly, "my pleasure."
2. I encounter this response for everything now. For me a "problem" should be
something that causes difficulty. But it is used for the most inane things, for things
that are not in and of themselves problems. For instance, I went to McDonald's
and ordered something. I asked for extra napkins and, of course, the response
was "no problem." In what way could giving me extra napkins be a problem? Is
there some potential difficulty in the act of giving me an extra napkin that my
server had to overcome to make it possible? I particularly find this response when
dealing with telephone operators. I call a lender's phone service line and say, "I'd
like to make a payment." The response is, "Okay, no problem." Could there be a
problem their receiving my funds? Is there some difficulty they would have in
taking my money? I've never encountered that, so why, "no problem?" Could
there be? Let's stop using this for the most inane things! It inflates the value of
the mundane!
nother
As in "a whole nother issue". It's "another." Try "another whole issue."
nucular — nuclear
I would like to add the non-word "nucular" as one of the unspeakables. One never
sees this spelling, of course, but the President of the United States recently

pronounced "nuclear" as "nucular" in an address to the nation, so it's time to take
a stand.
nugget
Sounds too much like what it is. Disgusting.
O
obliverate — obliterate
A street urchin in a Dickens novel wouldn't even pronounce "obliterate" this way.
My boss did. I don't work there anymore.
obviously
A professional athlete's first sentence has to include the word "obviously" (this
especially applies to pro hockey players).
of
Not so big (of)a deal, perhaps, but soooo wrong.
off my own back
This is used instead of the (correct, though hackneyed) "off my own bat." It
demonstrates laziness or stupidity, as the abuser has clearly not thought of the
actual meaning. Perhaps it is the result also of a failure to distinguish between
the different endings because the speaker normally substitutes a glottal stop for
oth.
ointment
1. I hate the "oi" sound. It just sounds dirty, for lack of a better explanation. And,
"ointment," in of itself, just makes me think of grandpa's boil remedy, or
grandma's butt paste.
2. It sounds so dirty!
ones
It is illogical to try to make "one" a plural. These worst words can almost always
be replaced by "those."
ongoing — continuing; perpetual
This odious term has been used by bureaucrats, reporters, and other idiots to
refer to actions or processes that are of a continuing or even perpetual nature.
That which continues to "go on" merely continues and does not have to be
"ongoing." It is unfortunate and disturbing that this alleged word has found its
way into some dictionaries.
operationalize — to use; to do; to put in place
orientate — orient
1. Used as a substitute for orient as in to "orient oneself to a new environment."
2. This is a created verb again! A misuse of "orient." Example: She wasn't
orientated about the company as she might have been.

optics (OP-tiks) — the branch of physics that deals with light and vision, chiefly
the generation, propagation, and detection of electromagnetic radiation having
wavelengths greater than x-rays and shorter than microwaves.
Optics is a bad word only when it is used to mean "appearance" as in news
programs that talk about "the optics" of a policy or program. Optics is perfectly
fine, when used in science or mechanics
outdoorsy
out of
As in, "He's out of Chicago," to mean he's from Chicago. May Marv Alpert get
balder than he already is!
outraged
It's losing its original meaning. It's being used when angry is the emotional state.
I doubt someone is truly outraged about the bus schedule being changed.
overexaggerate
I hate hearing uninformed morons use this expression. It is not even a word. It
makes no sense at all except perhaps to a retard or small child.
P
paradigm — example; model; pattern
Paradigm has lost its original meaning and become a squishy term for anything
having to do with a new way of doing or viewing anything. It sounds pretentious
and it is.
parameter — limit; boundary
Used in mathematics involving independent variables. It was not meant as a
pseudo-elegant alternative to perimeter.
partay — party
Idiot's version of "party."
partner — to join; to collaborate
The most egregious phrase I have come across: "The new way to office!" Ouch.
This was posted on a new office building near my office as an enticement to local
businesses to rent space. Office as a verb gives us: I am officing, You are officing,
and so forth. In the subjunctive: If I were to office, then I would partner with
them. Gross! I realize that in English we have many words that function as both
verbs and nouns. I also realize the language changes, but some of the recent
coinages in the business arena are laughable and painful to listen to.
party — to celebrate; to carouse
penis and vagina
(Well, you asked for it...) They stand out as uncomfortable . I asked myself years
ago, Is it the connotation of the words or the sound? I believe it's the sound. Think
about it; penis and vagina do not rhyme with any other words in the English
language, which proves that they do, indeed, SOUND different. The only rhyme I

can think of is "Venus." Most every other word can be rhymed with, save for these
two.
perseverate — to persevere
I hate this psychological term in all instances, but especially when it's used as a
synonym for "persevere."
personally
I hate when you ask someone a question and they begin their answer with
'personally'. Example: "What did you think of that movie"? "Well personally..."
Ugh I know your talking about yourself because I asked YOU your opinion!
peruse — to read carefully; to read
Looks and sounds pompous!
pick — select; choose
I hate this crummy word used instead of "choose." "Pick" is fine for a guitar or ice
or your nose.
planet
Formerly a fine word that has been beaten into triteness with gross overuse
wherein it is understood to refer to, and only to, this particular planet of ours. It
wider application has been lost and the word should now be banned.
point in time — now
"At this point in time"... you sound like Richard M. Nixon. The correct word is
"now."
portion — part; helping; allotment
portion is one of those words to which I have a visceral reaction: disgust. Portion
and its ilk (including meal) are mean, stingy little words. They bring to mind
slapped hands and lectures about "people starving in China," and also those
scary, molded plastic trays with sections for individual foods (slop such as
creamed corn and Jell-O and boiled fish). Portion is also insidious: a simple,
concrete word, it is used constantly by people unaware of its niggardly nature. To
me, it is the worst word.
posse — group of people; search party
The word I hate? Posse. It looks ugly, sounds ugly, feels ugly, and should never
again be used. Ever.
postmodern
Preliterate.
power point
This is cumbersome way of saying "slide" (as in "slide show"). It's little more than
a lazy advertisement for Microsoft.
preggers
A gratingly annoying perversion of the word "pregnant."
pretentious

Used far too much in general, and infests amateur reviews of books, movies, and
music in particular. In essence, anything that is even a little bit unconventional or
avant-garde will be labelled "pretentious", especially if it takes effort to
understand, and someone will invariably say that those who enjoy whatever it is
are pretending to do so in order to look smart, which doesn't make sense, but
who needs logic anyway? There are things I could label pretentious, though not
always as a criticism, but it's become such a useless buzzword employed by lazy,
dull reviewers that I don't bother using it anymore. These days, when browsing
reviews, if I see the word, I skip over the entire thing and dismiss the review as
utterly worthless, unless it's written by someone I know who knows what it really
means and doesn't throw it around to describe everything. To paraphrase a
comment I read somewhere, stupid people use pretentious to describe things
that make them feel stupid. Kill this idiotic cliche dead.
preventative — preventive
I hate preventative used instead of preventive. We have corrective, not
correctative; we have prevention, not preventation.
priorize
1. It's the lazy man's version of "prioritize"!
2. In addition to the existing fine submission, this word could well refer to a
promotion for a monk.
proactive — anticipatory; initiatory
As opposed to anti-active?
product
1. When product is used instead of program, for example, when you call your
insurer and are told to press 3 for their "Child Health Plus" product or when AOL
tells you that you'll be directed to their "classic AOL product."
2. When it is used as a generic term for putting goop in your hair, as in "You really
need to use more product to take care of that frizz."
professionalization
Since when do professionals become professionals through this process?
pronounciation — pronunciation
Idiot's version of "pronunciation." I get very irritated when people mispronounce
the word "proNUNciation"! Especially when spoken by English teachers.
prostrate
Many people when discussing the male prostate gland often use the word
prostrate inappropriately.
puke
I hate the sound of this word. It sounds more vulgar than most sexual words. Why
not just say "vomit?"
pussy

It reminds me of something that would seep pus itself and I find that rather gross.
Q
quantum — a large leap
In physics, a tiny change in location, not the overused cliché indicating a large
leap.
query
This is just a fancy way to begin a question. It's often used by people to make
themselves seem more inquisitive and intelligent, especially lawyers and
professors. "Query whether..." "Query this..." Just ask the damn question!
quintessential
A cloying word that deserves burial in a potter's field alongside the Yuppie
generation that spawned it.
quote
This is a VERB, not a noun. You can quote, but you don't write quotes. They're
quotations!
R
ramp up
1. This nonsensical verb is a corruption of the original metaphor, to "amp up,"
literally, to increse the amperage of, or, figuratively, to intensify. The corruption,
to "ramp up," makes no sense. "The administration has ramped up its efforts to
fund the reconstruction of Iraq." Enough already!
2. RAMP UP actually comes from electronic engineering, where voltages in
something like a video switcher actually follow a ramp up and down as video
signals are mixed in a "more or less" ratio with each other.
random
Maybe this is a teenage thing, but the rise of the word "random" as a way to
comment on an abrupt subject change or something one finds funny, is just idiocy
and makes me angry.
rationalize — to fire; lay off
"We will rationalize our work force." Rationalize is used in corporatespeak for
"fire" or "lay off."
reach out —
Seems to be the verb du jour. I visualize an extended arm whose hand is ready to
clap my shoulder. Please do not reach out to me; just contact me.
realator — realtor
Idiot's version of "realtor." In ignorance, some people add a phonetic sound (realA-tor) that doesn't exist in the word.
reality

Reality is misused as in "but the reality is...." I hear this from my girlfriends (in
their mid-forties) when they are trying to explain differences in perception.
Reality is objective, and yet they use it for truly subjective explanations.
rearchitect — to redesign
regift
Always makes me think of regurgitate, as in do you mind if I regurgitate last nights
dinner
re-invent
How can one re-invent anything, especially a person, who wasn't invented in the
first place? A thing can only be invented once. I find this faux word the worst of
all. We need to invent a new word to fill the need of lazy journalists et al.
relationship
"I want a girl, just like the girl that married dear old dad..."
road map
Popular in the Middle East among those whose first language is not English. A
road map is nothing but a plan.
rocking
"Rock" or "rocking" when used in reference to someone looking good in a
particular dress or suit.
"Rocking a plunging neckline, deep plum lips, a super smokey eye, and a dramatic
updo, the sexy 'Supermarket Superstar' host seems to be showing her ex George
Clooney exactly what he's missing!"
S
screwed — treated unfairly; taken advantage of
scrotum — a sac; Balzac
The ugliest word in the English language
seen
My trailer-trash sensors surge into over-drive every time I hear this word
substituted for "saw," as in "I seen Derek combing his mullet."
Segue
If it's a smooth transition, why do speakers feel the need to screw up the speech
by interjecting the word for it?!?!?!
Serendipity
This word annoys me very much.
service — to serve; to provide a service to
The worst word I've encountered in business-speak of late is "service," as in, "we
service that account." All nouns can be verbed, but we had a perfectly good one
already — serve. They may serve me, but servicing is something that a stud does
for a mare! When I hear that "I'm getting serviced," I can be assured of being
screwed.

share — to tell
Unctuous folks use this word when they mean "tell," but it's hardly ever used any
more to mean "to divide and parcel out; apportion." Perhaps that's because it's
so much easier and cheaper to share feelings than to share money or
possessions!
sibling
A word social scientists use to turn your brothers and your sisters into statistics.
Should never be used to refer to real people.
skill sets
Pretentious, and adds nothing to the perfectly good "skills."
slather
This word makes me cringe. Every time I hear it I think of someone with rabies
foaming at the mouth.
sleep with
Prissy, and has nothing to do with sleep.
slither — sliver
"I'll just have a slither of cake." No you won't, matey. Not unless it's made of
snakes. I've heard this many times — even on the good old BBC. Of course they
mean "sliver," a thin slice. Do they also say, "The worm slivered along the grass"?
smear
Sounds horrible, looks horrible. It certainly does not create pleasant imagery. We
just don't need it.
smegma — A sebaceous secretion, especially the cheesy secretion that collects
under the prepuce or around the clitoris.
An oily, proteinaceous, foul-smelling excretion found around the genitals of
mammals. Sounds as disgusting as it is.
snog
I absolutely LOATHE this word; why cheapen something as wonderful as a kiss by
making it sound like an automotive component?
snuck
The past tense of "sneak" is "sneaked." It doesn't need a new one, particularly
one that has such a disgusting sound.
so
It's become the new "ummm" for this generation. It starts the conversation, it
fills in on the breaks and it seems to help to conlude the conversation. For
example, "so, I had a really bad day at work and I couldn't wait to get home so,
how was your day? good? so, why don't we go for a drink so that we can forget
about it so, what do you think?" What the hell is up with this? I catch more and
more people just slipping it in as if it's a good alternative to "umm" ARGGGG!
social

A perfectly fine adjective, but it may not and should not be used as a noun in
place of Social Security Number, as in "What's your social?"
soggy
I shudder every time this word is used because it reminds me of wet bread
dripping clumps of moist fluff.
solution
Solution belongs back where it came from: math, chemistry, and logic puzzle
books. Sucked dry of all meaning through nefarious overuse by corporate sales
and marketing. Is it a kid's book, or a "pediatric text delivery solution"? The
second one will surely bring a higher price! For the love of all that's holy, please
stop using solution and remember: if you're not part of the solution, you're part
of the precipitate.
spend
Since when is "spend" a noun, as in "What's the spend on that project?"
stakeholder — an interested person or party
This refugee from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" needs to be, well, buried with a
stake through its sweet heart.
status — check the status
Culled from an HMO website: "Click on this link to status a recent claim." The
creator of this abomination should be condemned to the fourth level of HMO
hell. Just say "Click on this link to check the status of a recent claim."
stimulus
! am sooooo sick of this word.
strategery strategy
Presidential usage does not make it correct. See also "nucular."
succulent
This word gives me the same shivering teeth feeling as chewing on wool. No
deliciousness. No cacti. It makes my intestines weep.
suicided
If someone committed murder would you say they homocided?
supportive
I remember it becoming popular in the '80s, "thank you for being so supportive."
Sounds like someone talking to a bra or a jock strap.
supposably — supposedly
1. Idiot's version of "supposedly."
2. No one knows how to say it (supposedly) right!
sweet
As in SWEEEEEET! I won a million dollars? SWEEET! Say it with a Cheshire grin; it's
more effective that way. Apparently, it's the new "groovy" or "cool." But I think
it's just plain gacky--SWEEEEEEEEEET!

T
tasty
I don't mind this as much when used about something abstract, but for some
semi-irrational reason I loathe this word when used to describe something one is
eating. "This potato salad is really tasty!" (Shudder)
thankfulness
The noun from "thankful" is "thanks"; nothing else.
that would be
I cringe when I hear someone use this as a substitute for "that is."
toileting
This is a word my kids learned at preschool. The teacher requested they wash
hands after "toileting." Toileting is not a word and teachers should not use it.
They are making my kids stupid.
threepeat
Yet another abomination from the sportscasting world. Can't they say "third
consecutive"?
topper
Seasonally, the festive word I hate is "topper" when now used in relation to a
christmas tree. I was trying to buy a new fairy doll to go at the top ... (you
understand exactly what I mean, I'm sure) as our old one had disappeared as ours
seem to every four or five years. Where they go to I don't know -- must retire to
the fairy doll heaven, planet or island where they will never be cold as they get
all the partners to our odd socks to snuggle up in as sleeping bags. Anyway I
digress. I was confronted, in shop and on on web, with "tree toppers." This is so
clearly a phrase thought up in a marketing company, that immediately the
christmas spirit sinks -- it is so horrible, sounds like a christmas tree covered in
some kind of festive "frosting" or rather icing as some of us would say.
Fortunately my husband and I managed to find a rather sad. And dilapidated doll
of the right size in a charity shop which I made dress and wings for rather than
buy a fairy "topper." Ours is splendid now. Doubtless she will desert us in a few
years and we will have to find ....
thusly
A prop for syllable addicts.
tour
I HATE it when people say it like "TOR!" It's a diphthong. It should be pronounced
with a glide. Toooo-ER, not TOR!!!! Ugh Ugh! major pet peeve!
trepidacious — fearful; afraid
tsunami

As a legitimate oceanographic phenomenon, such as what occurred after the
magnitude 8.0 earthquake in Japan in 2011, I have no complaint about this word.
However, it is being used to describe any event or action that occurs in
abundance: "There was a tsunami of protest." The Japan tsunami was a tragic and
terrifying event, and I decry the current usage of this word, which amounts to
trivializing its meaning.
U
underway
Although there is no such word in the OED or Chambers, more and more
journalists are joining up "under" and "way" in this manner. This displays both
spelling illiteracy and ignorance of our maritime past and of the fact that "under
way" means that a vessel is moving, and by extension a project is progressing
(though in the case of a vessel it might be moving backwards). One might also
mention the occasional attempt to be nautical and spell it as "under weigh" by
those who think it has something to do with raising the anchor. But that is "by
the weigh." I hope you will pillory this word, as otherwise I seem to be a lone
voice in the wilderness.
utilize — to use
A perfectly obnoxious substitute for the perfectly fine use.
unprecedented
Misused constantly. Hello, media, it means "without precedent." Wars, natural
disasters, economic woes, and similar events are rarely "unprecedented."Think,
and if necessary, do some research before you use this word!
V
veggie
No age group can make this diminutive sound right. It's just wrong...do not use it
...and please take it off the menu.
verbal
Only bad when it is used to mean "oral." Verbal can be written, but oral is always
spoken.
verbiage — wording
I'd like to add verbiage to the list of Worst Words. It is used way too often by my
supervisors when they mean wording. Worse still, they always mispronounce it
as "verbage." It's maddening.
verse — versus
Used (by lazy and unschooled under thirties, usually) instead of "versus" to
indicate opponents in a match or contest.
vice
Often used in place of "versus." Example: "The annual contest of Ohio vice
Michigan is always exciting."

visceral
Not that there is anything wrong with the word itself...I hear it constantly used
by hipsters, pseudo-intellectuals and self-proclaimed creatives to describe things
pertaining to film, tv, literature, and art that are not structurally cohesive and/or
poorly executed. What they are really saying is "I couldn't understand any of it,
so I will say it's "visceral" so I don't have to feel like an unenlightened half-wit for
having spent money on it while making the other person listening to me feel
intellectually inferior to me."
vulva
Not a car manufactured in Sweden, vulva outranks both uvula and scrotum. This
is the most repulsive word in the English language.
W
walkage
The noun version of "walk" is "walk." Why do people add "age" to acceptable
words in an attempt to create nouns?
weary
I can't stand when people state that they are "weary" of a situation when in fact
they mean that they are WARY of a situation. I've been hearing/reading this one
more and more frequently lately.
well
Whenever someone says "well" after you ask them something or you tell them a
fact they don't like they say "well" and it is just so annoying.
whatever
For heaven's sake, if someone has outwitted you, do you honestly believe that
saying "whatever" is going to redeem you in any way?
window (of opportunity) — chance; opportunity
witchoo
Commonly heard in popular music to mean "with you." My high school choir
teacher forbade this word, rightfully so.
wonderful
The use of "wonderful" to describe everything one approves of, likes or admires.
To me the only thing full of wonder is the Grand Canyon, not the newest
wonderful restaurant.
would have
"Would have" is not a substitute for "had," as in "If I would have paid attention in
English class, maybe I'd have passed." I've heard intelligent, educated people use
this term and it makes my skin crawl every time.
X
Y
yearend — at the year's end

Lazy consultants use the word yearend instead of "at the year's end" or "at the
end of the year," e.g., "Mr. Bumbles will issue your $2 bonus at yearend, and not
a moment before." I searched Google for "yearend" and came up with 39,000
hits. Evidently its use is widespread. Ugh.
y'open
I hear this ALL THE TIME at work. Why can't they just say "are you open". Very
stupid if you ask me.
you all
1. Since moving to Tennessee, I have heard "you all" and "y'all" made more
encompassing when addressing a group. The phrase is "all y'all." It is commonly
used here.
2. I hate it. I'm from the south and I hate how the uneducated people use this
word all the time.
you know
It is becoming more common. Even radio interviewers drop "you know" into their
talk. If the listener is being told a fact or opinion, they do not know until after it
has been said. And the speaker mostly wouldn't know what the listener knows.
And sometimes, you hear a "you know" on its own, not as part of a statement. I
think it is often a stand in for "You see what I mean" or "You know how it is."
you guys
The plural of "you" is "you." "You guys" is redundant, frequently gender incorrect
and always offensive. The colloquial "you all" or its contraction "y'all" is tolerable
only in its own geographic region.
young professional
Has had a long life and deserves a quick death. Trite, grating, and, as a descriptor,
it is worse than useless, because it has rendered meaningless the once-useful
noun "professional."
your — you're
Paris Hilton, with her unforgivable "I'm hot, your not" shirt, should just disappear.
yous — you
Commonly used in the Philadelphia and Baltimore area to mean "you" when
speaking to or about more than one person. "Are yous going to the movies?"
Truly grating.
yummy
Do I need to explain this? The sound makes my skin crawl, not only for the
appalling lack of vocabulary it reflects in its user, but in the visual imagery it
evokes in envisioning either the item described or visage of person from whom
this hideous word emanated.
Z
zine

An abbreviation of "magazine," commonly used by bloggers: "Yah yah my online
zine gets about 5000 hits per day."
zoned out
Whatever happened to "not paying attention"?

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