Robert reflected on annoying words @ 101books.net

I’ve labeled quite a few words as annoying—like these, and these, and these too. Then there’s also those disgusting words and the words I can’t spell. I’ll even admit to liking some words. How about that?

But today I present to you my latest batch of annoying words that should die a terrible death. These words are so annoying they make me want to punch a kitten.

 

Hater.

As in: “Haters gonna hate. #bringit #truth”

Hater is now one of those words that, because it’s so overused, has lost all its meaning. Besides being just flat-out cheesy, it’s a softball platitude that’s often lobbed at anyone who simply mildly disagrees or protests on a single point. “Y’all think Obama plays too much golf? Y’all just haters, bro.” Besides that, I think MC Hammer often said “hater”—and if you’re still using a word MC Hammer used in 1992…well, then. I’m officially a hater of the word “hater” and anyone who routinely uses it.

Phablet.

As in: “With the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple has made its first entry into the phablet industry.”

Phone + Tablet = Phablet. This whole word combination thing has to end. It started with celebrities and now it’s invaded our everyday lingo. Phablet? How awful is this trend? What if your aunt raised you and you thought of her as your mom: Would she be your maunt? What if you’re a cat lady and your cats are your best friends—are they your frats? Another really bad one that’s actually commonly used online: Listicle.

Hubby

As in: “I just love my hubby! He scored two tickets to the Dave Matthews concert!”

Nope. If you say hubby, your husband should leave you at the DMB concert. The absolute worst here is when the husband has his “wifey” while the wife has her “hubby.” I don’t even think The Duggars go to this level of obnoxious cheese. Speaking of The Duggars—what is up with that hair helmet?

Holistic

As in: “My husband and I have decided to forgo vaccinations and take a more holistic approach to our health.”


This is one of the worst marketing buzzwords in the history of marketing buzzwords. As Charles Barkley would say, “It’s turrible.”

Another way to say holistic? “Doctors are stupid.” Which, considering the fact that doctors are pretty frickin’ smart, is a stupid thing to say. Two hours of research on WebMD might make you “holistic,” but it doesn’t make you smarter than your doctor. Holistic Schmolistic.

Holistic Schmolistic

Boom.

As in: “I’ve put on 10 pounds of muscle this year. Boom!”

You can thank the bros, and probably Nike, for this one. “Boom” fits in the same category as “stoked” and “YOLO” and “beast mode.” It’s a brotastic word (note to self: brotastic is a terrible annoying word too) that belongs in Gold’s Gym locker rooms and Florida-Georgia line concerts. The only person who has permission to say “boom” in this context is the awesomely awkward “boom goes the dynamite” guy.

Because.

As in: “I love eating out on Friday night because wine.”

How do we go and ruin common, everyday words like “because”? I just don’t understand it. You’ve seen this one, right? It’s basically “because + [any noun].” Another example would be “Skipping lunch today because sleep,” or “The supermoon is out tonight, but no need to worry because science.” Why do we do this? Admittedly, I might have thought it was clever the FIRST 100 times I read it. Now, it’s just annoying.

Synergy

As in: “Let’s spend 2015 focusing on corporate synergy and product development.”

Synergy is one of the worst corporate buzzwords of the last 30 years. It’s the verbal equivalent of bland, unseasoned oatmeal. If you say “synergy,” I hear “blah.” If you double that up with “corporate synergy,” I hear “blah blah.” That word is an affront to the English language. Fortunately, where I work, we can have synergy without using that stupid word.

Well, now all that’s off my chest, so I can move on.

That is, until sometime next year, when a new group of 7 annoying words begins to grate on my nerves.

Agree or disagree with this batch of seven?


Robert reflected on annoying words @ 101books.net



I’ve labeled quite a few words as annoying—like these, and these, and these too. Then there’s also those disgusting words and the words I can’t spell. I’ll even admit to liking some words. How about that?

But today I present to you my latest batch of annoying words that should die a terrible death. These words are so annoying they make me want to punch a kitten.

Hater.

As in: “Haters gonna hate. #bringit #truth”

Hater is now one of those words that, because it’s so overused, has lost all its meaning. Besides being just flat-out cheesy, it’s a softball platitude that’s often lobbed at anyone who simply mildly disagrees or protests on a single point. “Y’all think Obama plays too much golf? Y’all just haters, bro.” Besides that, I think MC Hammer often said “hater”—and if you’re still using a word MC Hammer used in 1992…well, then. I’m officially a hater of the word “hater” and anyone who routinely uses it.

Phablet.

As in: “With the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple has made its first entry into the phablet industry.”

Phone + Tablet = Phablet. This whole word combination thing has to end. It started with celebrities and now it’s invaded our everyday lingo. Phablet? How awful is this trend? What if your aunt raised you and you thought of her as your mom: Would she be your maunt? What if you’re a cat lady and your cats are your best friends—are they your frats? Another really bad one that’s actually commonly used online: Listicle.

Hubby

As in: “I just love my hubby! He scored two tickets to the Dave Matthews concert!”

Nope. If you say hubby, your husband should leave you at the DMB concert. The absolute worst here is when the husband has his “wifey” while the wife has her “hubby.” I don’t even think The Duggars go to this level of obnoxious cheese. Speaking of The Duggars—what is up with that hair helmet?

Holistic

As in: “My husband and I have decided to forgo vaccinations and take a more holistic approach to our health.”

This is one of the worst marketing buzzwords in the history of marketing buzzwords. As Charles Barkley would say, “It’s turrible.” Another way to say holistic? “Doctors are stupid.” Which, considering the fact that doctors are pretty frickin’ smart, is a stupid thing to say. Two hours of research on WebMD might make you “holistic,” but it doesn’t make you smarter than your doctor. Holistic Schmolistic.

Boom.

As in: “I’ve put on 10 pounds of muscle this year. Boom!”

You can thank the bros, and probably Nike, for this one. “Boom” fits in the same category as “stoked” and “YOLO” and “beast mode.” It’s a brotastic word (note to self: brotastic is a terrible annoying word too) that belongs in Gold’s Gym locker rooms and Florida-Georgia line concerts. The only person who has permission to say “boom” in this context is the awesomely awkward “boom goes the dynamite” guy.

Because.

As in: “I love eating out on Friday night because wine.”

How do we go and ruin common, everyday words like “because”? I just don’t understand it. You’ve seen this one, right? It’s basically “because + [any noun].” Another example would be “Skipping lunch today because sleep,” or “The supermoon is out tonight, but no need to worry because science.” Why do we do this? Admittedly, I might have thought it was clever the FIRST 100 times I read it. Now, it’s just annoying.

Synergy

As in: “Let’s spend 2015 focusing on corporate synergy and product development.”

Synergy is one of the worst corporate buzzwords of the last 30 years. It’s the verbal equivalent of bland, unseasoned oatmeal. If you say “synergy,” I hear “blah.” If you double that up with “corporate synergy,” I hear “blah blah.” That word is an affront to the English language. Fortunately, where I work, we can have synergy without using that stupid word.

Well, now all that’s off my chest, so I can move on.

That is, until sometime next year, when a new group of 7 annoying words begins to grate on my nerves.



Time Magazine recently released a list of 15 words that should die in 2012. The list included some rather annoying, trendy words and phrases from 2011—like baby bump, occupy (wait, wasn’t that Time’s word of the year?), bro (as in “bromance” and “bro date”), and sexting.

Those, indeed, are extremely annoying words. But I think I can do better. As an avid book reader, writer, and Twitterererer, I’d like to think I know a few things about words.

So, with a tip of the cap to our friends at Time, I present 7 trendy words or phrases that should die a miserable death in 2012. (Of note, this list is different from the words that make me cringe—which are time-honored words that have been auditory nuisances since they were first spoken).

1) Stoked

Example: “Dude, I’m totally stoked that Limp Bizkit is making a comeback!”

Did I miss something? Are we all living in California, circa 1994? Is that Jason Priestley in primetime? To determine whether or not you should ever use “stoked,” follow these simple guidelines:

    Do you surf more than three days a week?
    Do you own a prominently displayed poster of Tony Hawk?
    Is your name Tony Hawk?
    Have you ever competed in the X Games (summer or winter)?
    Are you younger than 16?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, it’s socially acceptable to say “stoked.” If not, then please stop. I only tell you this because I want the best for you.

2) Just sayin’.

Example: “If you think Lolita is a beautiful love story, I think you’re a pervert. Just sayin’.”

Another example: “Your oatmeal smells like stale urine. Just sayin’.”

I don’t know what you’re saying. But I think what you’re saying is that you can say whatever you want, and throw a little “just sayin’” at the end as a verbal disclaimer to let you off the hook.

Here’s a tip: Just say what you are saying without the “just sayin.” We already know you’re saying it…after all, you just said it. Also, read Jon Acuff’s post about “just sayin.”

3) Whatever.

Example: Dad: “Son, you’re 10 years old. I don’t think you’re ready to read A Clockwork Orange.”

Son: “I’ll be 11 in June.”

Dad: “Here, I’ll let you borrow my copy of The Hobbit. You’ll enjoy it.”

Son: “Whatever, dad. Tolkien is so lame.”

You can ask my wife: I interpret most words literally. So, one day, if my son ever gets an attitude with me and throws out the old “whatever” card, I might feel free to take the “whatever” literally–as in:

“Dad, I understand you’re mad at me. Do whatever you choose to remedy this unfortunate situation.” Then, I’ll make him mow the yard until he’s 50 and lock his iPad 12 in the attic.

4) Seriously?

Example: “You think Lolita is a beautiful love story. Seriously?”

Yeah, I’m guilty of this one—not for thinking Lolita is a beautiful love story, but for saying “seriously?” way too often. Do a search for “seriously” on this blog, and I’m sure it will come up. “Seriously” is basically a more confrontational version of “just sayin.’” Another example: “You think that moustache actually looks good on you? Seriously?”

The inquisitive version of “seriously” is now cliché. Seriously.

5) Epic

Example: “Did you see Jersey Shore last night? It was epic.”

The Lord of the Rings is epic. The universe is epic. The fact that you secured one of 20,000 tickets to the Justin Beiber concert is not epic. Not epic at all.

In fact, since Justin Bieber is touring the country to visit dozens of arenas—each with thousands in attendance—it’s pretty ordinary. Now, a Justin Bieber concert on Venus? That would be epic.

6) It is what it is.

Example: “That bookstore smells like old feet. I guess it is what it is.”

It is what it is. No freaking kidding. This is like saying “A table is a table.” What a unique perspective! Or “101 Books is 101 Books.” Surely you jest! Athletes are notorious for saying this. Either they are modern day Socrates, or they have no idea what they are saying. I’m guessing it’s the latter.

Unless you’re a Buddhist monk referring to the essence of the cosmos, “it is what it is” just sounds stupid.

7) Awesome Sauce.

Example: The guitar riff in that new Coldplay song is total awesome sauce.

I can’t explain why, but when I hear the phrase “awesome sauce,” I want to inflict physical pain to the mouth area of the person who utters it. Just writing the words “awesome sauce” makes me want to throw this keyboard through a window.

No, I don’t have anger issues. Shut up! Leave me alone!
You may love these words and phrases and use them often. If so, I’ll apologize in advance. I might offend you. But I hope you’ll keep reading my blog. Because I like books, and you like books, so let’s like books together.

Besides, words are so silly. Who needs them anyway? So, at the very least, we should ban the following 7 words and phrases:

8) Rad

Example: “The graphics on the new Call of Duty game are so rad.”

Here’s how I know “rad” is an outdated word, not dissimilar to “stoked”: I watched a movie called Rad when I was around 9 years old. In 1986. About BMX bikers. The main character’s name was Cru—which sounds like someone from The Real World on MTV. So, in sum, you can use the word “rad” if you’re a professional BMX biker named Cru, or if you’re on The Real World. Otherwise, leave it.

9) Beast Mode

Example: “Lebron James is total beast mode tonight.”

Yeah, and you know who’s not in beast mode tonight? You. For using the term “beast mode.” Look, I get it. I play video games, too. Someone in “beast mode” is in the zone. They’re unstoppable. They will run you over in Halo while making an assortment of “Yo’ Mama” jokes. But the problem with saying “beast mode” too often is that, at some point in life, you’re going to need a date.

10) That’s How I Roll.

Example: “I was banging seven-gram rocks and finishing them, because that’s how I roll.” –Actual quote from Charlie Sheen

I used to say “that’s how I roll.” It’s funny. It’s like, hey, I’m a middle-aged nerdy, English major and we both know I don’t “roll.” I don’t walk around with a posse. I don’t have a pimped-up car with expensive rims. I don’t drive with one arm on the wheel while leaning to the right—except when I’m cruising through downtown Nashville of course. I certainly don’t “bang seven-gram rocks,” like Charlie Sheen.

But when I say “That’s how I roll,” it’s ironic. So I say “Yeah, just put the kid down to bed. Wife’s asleep. It’s 8:30 and I’m on the porch reading Infinite Jest and sipping Cabernet. That’s how I roll.” Then you laugh. Ha ha. But that was maybe 5 years ago. And now “that’s how we roll” is a marketing slogan for Hulu and some random sandwich restaurant that I can’t remember the name of (true story).  It’s basically the flannel shirt from the mid-90s.

11) Literally

Example: “Dad’s head literally exploded when Sara said she wrecked his car.”

Here’s the thing about “literally.” It’s not interchangeable with “figuratively” or “metaphorically.” So unless dad’s head actually exploded into 1,000 small brainy bits of goo all over the wall and Sara’s face, not unlike the dude who messed with the dynamite in Lost, then dad’s head didn’t “literally explode.”  Even as a somewhat self-aware dorky English major, I don’t feel like I’m asking too much here. Don’t use literally unless you mean literally.

12) Deets/Totes/Whatevs/Delish

Example: “Give me the deets on that organic kale chip recipe! They are totes delish!”

This is just my opinion, and I don’t mean to sound too harsh, but I believe there may be a warm spot in hell for people who shorten words like this. For the uninformed: totes=totally; whatevs=whatever; delish=delicious. Besides choosing to sound like a complete tool, what is your rational for shortening totally to “totes?” Is that extra .00000034 seconds of verbal exercise too much for you? Are you a court reporter who speaks in shorthand?

13) Bro

Example: “Bro, the Nickelback album is sweet.”

I don’t know who invented “bro” as a replacement for the much more acceptable “dude,” but I think it might have been someone in a boy band. I just picture The Backstreet Boys on a tour bus, throwing a verbal barrage of “bros” around. “Bro this” and “bro that.” How does a man look at himself in the mirror at night, knowing that, over the course of the day, he addressed one his fellow men as “bro?”

14) Think outside the box.

Example: “You can’t come up with a new format for the TPS reports? Think outside the box!”

Now we’re venturing into corporate-speak. The irony of “think outside the box” is that it’s become such an oft-used cliché that someone needs to think outside the box to come up with a new phrase that means the same thing.  I like Andy Stanley’s response when someone says to think outside the box—“what box?” Creativity doesn’t have boundaries. If you’re thinking “outside” the box, then you’re simply putting yourself in a new limited space. It’s different, but it’s still limited. Why am I getting all serious with this one?

I’ll stop now, before I get carried away.

Apparently, I have a lot of words and phrases that annoy me. Maybe I’m just an old fogey who is easily perturbed.

Or am I partially correct? Do you find any of these words and phrases grating?

Would you add any to this list?

http://101books.net/2014/11/07/7-even-more-annoying-words-that-should-die-a-horrible-death-2/

 Robert on November, 201


http://101books.net/2014/11/07/7-even-more-annoying-words-that-should-die-a-horrible-death-2/

 Robert on November 7, 2014