Annoying Words and Phrases
English is a marvelous language. Language itself is marvelous; the only language I know well is English. It can be beautiful, when used correctly. Or .... it can be annoying. Here are some words and phrases that annoy me.
Annoying word or phrase #1
Free gift - sorry, but a gift is free. If you pay for it, it's not a gift. Free gift is redundant. Even worse is the redundant and yet oxymoronic free gift with purchase. In other words, here is something free that you have to pay for, and it's a gift. Oy.
Annoying word or phrase #2
Pre-owned The prefix "pre" when used before an adjective that looks like a verb, means something was done for you - presumably something you wanted done. Pre-washed jeans have been washed before you get them, because some people like the look or feel of jeans that have been washed. Pre-shrunk clothes have been shrunk, so you have a better idea of what size to buy. Pre-fab houses have had a lot of construction done already. Then there's pre-owned. Hey! You can buy this car, and we've already done the owning for you! Nope. The word is used.
Annoying word or phrase #3
Hopefully This one is irritating because people object to a perfectly legitimate use of the term. Hopefully, this article will help end that. Unfortunately, I don't think it will. Frankly, that bothers me. Luckily, I can get over it. (source)
Annoying word or phrase #4
Literally as in "literally, there was smoke coming out my ears". No. If there was smoke coming out your ears you would be dead, or, at least, in the hospital. Figuratively, I blow a blood vessel when people use literally wrong.
Annoying word or phrase #5
Irregardless - regardless means "without regard to". Irregardless does not mean anything.
Annoying word or phrase #6
Almost infinite - sorry, but there is no "almost infinite". Something is infinite, or not. The number 1,000,000,000 is no closer to infinity than the number 1 is.
Annoying word or phrase #7
Obviously when used in a text book (also clearly and similar). If something is obvious, then it's obvious that it's obvious. If something isn't obvious, then it is insulting to your readers to say it is.
Annoying word or phrase #8
Actually It is a very rare sentence that is improved by the word "actually". It's filler.
Annoying word or phrase #9
Enormity when misused. Enormity is a fine word. It means "great evil". It does not mean "really big". That's enormous.
Annoying word or phrase #10
Like when misused. Like is a perfectly good word. It has several meanings. It should not be used as filler. I once overheard a girl say this: "I know he like likes me, but does he like like me like me or does he just like, like me?"
Annoying word or phrase #1
Free gift - sorry, but a gift is free. If you pay for it, it's not a gift. Free gift is redundant. Even worse is the redundant and yet oxymoronic free gift with purchase. In other words, here is something free that you have to pay for, and it's a gift. Oy.
Annoying word or phrase #2
Pre-owned The prefix "pre" when used before an adjective that looks like a verb, means something was done for you - presumably something you wanted done. Pre-washed jeans have been washed before you get them, because some people like the look or feel of jeans that have been washed. Pre-shrunk clothes have been shrunk, so you have a better idea of what size to buy. Pre-fab houses have had a lot of construction done already. Then there's pre-owned. Hey! You can buy this car, and we've already done the owning for you! Nope. The word is used.
Annoying word or phrase #3
Hopefully This one is irritating because people object to a perfectly legitimate use of the term. Hopefully, this article will help end that. Unfortunately, I don't think it will. Frankly, that bothers me. Luckily, I can get over it. (source)
Annoying word or phrase #4
Literally as in "literally, there was smoke coming out my ears". No. If there was smoke coming out your ears you would be dead, or, at least, in the hospital. Figuratively, I blow a blood vessel when people use literally wrong.
Annoying word or phrase #5
Irregardless - regardless means "without regard to". Irregardless does not mean anything.
Annoying word or phrase #6
Almost infinite - sorry, but there is no "almost infinite". Something is infinite, or not. The number 1,000,000,000 is no closer to infinity than the number 1 is.
Annoying word or phrase #7
Obviously when used in a text book (also clearly and similar). If something is obvious, then it's obvious that it's obvious. If something isn't obvious, then it is insulting to your readers to say it is.
Annoying word or phrase #8
Actually It is a very rare sentence that is improved by the word "actually". It's filler.
Annoying word or phrase #9
Enormity when misused. Enormity is a fine word. It means "great evil". It does not mean "really big". That's enormous.
Annoying word or phrase #10
Like when misused. Like is a perfectly good word. It has several meanings. It should not be used as filler. I once overheard a girl say this: "I know he like likes me, but does he like like me like me or does he just like, like me?"
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
Published by Peter Flom
I am a statistician, working with a wide variety of clients, mostly researchers in psychology, education, medicine, social sciences and other fields. I also have given talks and written articles on learning... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentI like your list a lot, but you're mistaken on one thing. Enormity also means "the quality of being huge". It was the 3rd definition, but there it was. So it's really evil, and really big.
"Absolutely" and "iconic" are two words that grate on my nerves (although I have been known to use both on occasion...)
I always laugh when parents say "I want to send my kid to a good college." Who wants to send their kid to a bad college?
Clever list. ;-))
Excellent list. I have a problem with advertisers using the word legendary. I doubt most things in life will ever merit being called legendary.
You have a good point there. I got a good lesson in English today!!!!!
Like "well written - thank you"
I'm on your side. people try so hard to be politically correct that their vocabulary comes out double-talk. Nice work.
Interesting read Peter, and I agree with practically all of them.
Great article!