Each January I suggest that, we need to learn to retire a few words from our vocabulary.
Why?
New words are being introduced into our language all the time. Five years ago we didn’t have man caves, gastropubs, or mash-ups. Well, we did—we just didn’t know what to call them.
With the addition of additional words, maybe we need to retire some of the tiresome ones Those words, expressions, and phrases that are bothersome, um, like, um.
Our language abounds with empty words and even tiresome expressions.
Here’s a list of a few that it’s time to retire as we close out 2015:
On Fleek. (aka: on point)
BAE. (Before Anyone Else)
Shade. (an underhanded insult).
Can’t Even. (as in, “I just can’t even right now.”)
“Like” Unless you mean it the way it is supposed to be used.
“I know, right?”
That’ll do to start. I’m sure I can think of more.
Let’s replace “wish” and “try” with “can” and “do”.
May we also restrict the use of “awesome”? The universe is. Professional athletes are not.
I know, right? That one is just, like, so annoying.
Really? – that just bothers me! I also correct ho t news readers pronounce words on tv! My bad!! Oh yes let’s get rid of “my bad”!
Let’s eliminate “just saying” – it seems it is used to say things that are better left unsaid. Scott, I love the idea of replacing “wish” and “try” with “can” and “do!” What a great way to begin the new year!
Awesome! So tired:(
Great list… my son (he’s 11) will be devastated if we lose the word literally! However, I literally won’t be! 🙂 Sorry….
One of my big hang ups is the following:
Child #1 says something mean.
Child # 1 then apologizes by saying, I’m sorry, will you forgive me?
Child #2 (or, more often an adult) says…. “It’s ok!”.
WHAT???? I am trying to teach Child #1 that what they just did was WRONG and you say… It’s ok? HUM…..
So, I’ll step off my soapbox now! Happy New Year!
Ok, I’m back with one more- which is more of a pet peeve.
“compare and contrast”
The act of comparing implies that you will see what is the same about those things and what is different. So, contrasting is implicit when comparing. Don’t say it. It’s redundant.
I figure this one relates to “irregardless” in your list- I’m more of a “regardless” user…seeing as “irregardless” isn’t even really a word. Urban dictionary confirms my suspicions and long held opinion on that one.
I think I say the word “random” way too much. When I think about God’s finger on the pulse of everything in and about all of our lives…nothing is random, “ya think”?- (that is another one, by the way- can be sort of disrespectful)
I don’t know how this one came about, but it makes no sense to me: “impactful” I think it is even in the dictionary now. You make an impact, it was eventful, but not impactful. Sigh.
Angie,
Never even thought of that one. impactful. Ironic word. Wouldn’t an impact leave a place empty…hmmm…like if a meteor made an impact…or maybe move something forward…have to noodle on this one.
Le, That’s so random…:) Or rather not so random.
Heather,
Nice one.
Tara,
Maybe we could keep literally around one more year–just for your son.
Wanda,
For awesome, we need a replacement word. Stellar? Rockstar? Amazing. Wondrous, perhaps?
Charity,
Those are both good suggestions–I could let go of just saying and it’s shortened version, just sayin’.
Sarita,
What if we used, Your good!, ,instead.
Jennifer–Totally! Insert triple exclamation mark for extra annoyance :).
Yes Margaret!
Yes, do away with “ya think.” It seems so rude.
I thought for sure “like” would be here..most used word in some of our sentences ever..especially if u have teens,and 20 somethigs:)
Roxane,
I think “like” was in our 2011 edition :).
Yeppers. As long as you let me keep yeppers.
I am so tired of:
re-imagining
revisioning
mission, vision, values,
let’s be clear
I think we can all agree on…
sucks to suck
Thanks for letting me release some frustration!
Darin
Darin,
Um. Sounds like you’ve been at one too many leadership conferences. Insert grin.
Love “let’s be clear” as opposed to….
And if “we all agree”, maybe I’ll sit in the corner with you as the dissidents, or at least part of the peanut gallery if we can enjoy chips and soda together! Thanks for your list. It’s awesome. Oh wait. Can’t use that word anymore either.
How about “Wonderstruck”? lol
Hahaha…sorry..didn’t see that edition..it could probably be in all the editions at this point!..lol
Re: Bible Giveaway
I love the Bible because it brings me closer to God by helping me get to know Him better. Love to read it, love to study and teach it, just love to run my hands across the pages!
Trying to read it through every year in a different translation. Have not been through the HCSB, yet. Would love it!
The overuse of the word Epic should perhaps retire for a while..
Couldn’t agree more, Don. Everything is “epic” now.
I “heart” this or that. What is this? Are we reverting to pictographs or verbal hieroglyphs now? Some nouns can be used as verbs, sure, but this just sounds silly.
Feel free to keep it. 😉
Ruben,
Awww. I liked I heart. To me, it’s better than saying I love…when you don’t really love, you merely like or have a penchant for…
A few more than I just heard on the news:
Spoiler alert
Trending
Bucket list
Here are a couple of things I’d like to retire from our vocabulary:
1) I would love it if people, especially TV anchors, would stop using “myself” in the subjective. They need to repeat English 101.
AND
2) I’m tired of hearing “it is what it is.” It means nothing!
Trending….needs to be burned from the English vocabulary forever. Ah, I just noticed Margaret beat me to it. It’s amazing how the English language has been trashed by the media and Madison Avenue advertising firms that come up with new annoying colloquialisms that we must hear ad nauseam. Yet the language lends itself to such richness of words that are hardly used anymore because it would mean that the public would have to be educated beyond reality TV and what the Kardashians are currently doing. Let us all park our brains by the door as the new 2013 wave of mindless twaddle invades our minds. Quick! Let me run for the aluminum foil to cover my poor brain before my eyes feast on the next volcanic eruption of the bastardization of the English language as she is not meant to be spoken.
“Seriously?”
“Huh?”
“You know what I mean?”
“For reels?” (That might only happen in Brooklyn, but a bad one nonetheless.
This is anything but common, still I pray for the sweet young street thug back in Brooklyn who said, and I quote, ” I be doozin’ that all da times.” I don’t even know where to begin on that one.
This one swings back to Christian circles: “you’ve been on my heart” instead of “I’m really curious” or “I’ve thought about you once this week”. I’m not dismissing the God-given burdens he truly imparts, just asking us (myself included) to not super-spiritualize our humanity.
That’s all – otherwise I’m like signing off, for reels.
I can hear the “For reels” echoing in my head– I think that has spread beyond Brooklyn.
Yes– Aluminum foil will do the trick!
I agree! “It is what it is” doesn’t have to always be. I think that is an excuse to not try … “Wouldn’t you agree?” 🙂
Yes! Please use the word myself correctly!
One (I’ll just mention one here) of my pet peeves is “jokes!” after an insult. If you have to say “jokes” it probably wasn’t funny to begin with!
Cray-cray. Just say crazy!
I find it hard to give up words…I love words…and digging up their meanings…that being said I am a mother to 4 teenagers- they would like for me to give up the word “beast”.
When I say, “that’s beast” or ” I am beast” they roll their eyes.
At last…this year I will give it up.
Gina,
From one word lover to another :). So one of my friends sent me a word this week: Deligious: (noun) meaning to have have an encounter with food that’s so good it’s like a religious experience. Of course, the word is only on urban dictionary.com but still, what a clever word :).
Marie,
Our office manager, Jessica, wanted me to put cray-cray on the list…but I soooo resisted because I have a secret crush on the word.
Hey Margaret. I find the expression “That’s SO random!’ irritating. Also hearing actors and actresses refering to someone or something as “so.. aMAzing!. Yech!
Lex, I’ll have to keep my ear open to the “stars” saying this one!
I need to give up the occasional use of “oh duh”, regarding missing the obvious. Guilty as charged on the overuse of “awesome.” I know other words and need to use them. Most of all, I want to be a better listener this year. I am guilty of not giving others my full attention. Pet peeve is journalists who start a sentence with “additionally.”?
We cannot get rid of “can’t even” yet. It drives my teens up the wall when I say it. Haha! 😉
Adorbs needs to go, every time I read it I cringe.
yeah..no..that’s right – or yeah..no..that’s how I feel /// confusion
Is it yeah or no?
It is what it is. Please make it go away!
Please stop saying It is what it is and been there done that????
I like it is what is is, used sparingly and in situations where acceptance of the inevitable is needed. Let the stoning begin!
This phrase needs to go now: “At the end of the day”……..(of course, it is what it is, LOL)
The phrase ” I’m Fine” Used without thought too often.
I would add “Stop judging.” A differing opinion is now considered judging.
I would like the phrase no-brainer retired.
Adding to Darrin Simms list of way overused leadership-conference-type words….
“unzip” and “unpack” make me want to retaliate with phrases like “really, here?” or “go get a room” or “no, PUHLEEEASE, do not do that here.”
Neither one of those words have ever taken my mind to where i am thinking the leader is trying to go.
At home, my teen uses JK (Just Kidding) as a quick coverup for the thing he should never have let leave his mouth in the first place.
And i really cringe with “no duh.”
My last one is “let’s run this up the flagpole and see what happens.”
p.s. I do like cray cray. what a sweet way to state what my be the underlying truth!
789alo: 789alo – alo 789
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