I just wrote in my blog a little bit.
Lake Superior State University, which sounds made-up but apparently is not, releases an annual list of 15 words or phrases that should be retired from popular use. Some of them I agree with (chillaxin, teachable moment – unless used mockingly), while others seem too practical to discard (app as an abbreviation for application.)
Still it’s a worthy and necessary exercise, ridding our lexicon of annoying and tired language.
For years I’ve dreamed of the day when people would stop telling me to "have a good one." More recently the Sethmeyersian practice of uttering repeated and disbelieving reallys to mock someone’s intent has grown beyond weary. But for 2010 I propose but a single act of banishment.
"I just threw up up in my mouth a little bit" started off as an adroit little phrase, an updated version of the 80s classic, "gag me with a spoon." When confronted with a nauseating person or situation, it was an effective way to voice the metaphoric gastronomical response that was being induced.
What made the phrase unique was its descriptiveness, including the addition of "a little bit." Yet that adverb phrase was also its downfall.
Had, over time, the phrase been shortened to "I just threw up into my mouth" it might have enjoyed a longer shelf life. But the insistence of its practitioners to retain that bit of detail quickly made the phrase seem mimic-y and unoriginal. "Don’t make me puke" sounds clever in comparison.
There are certainly are countless other words and phrases that I wish begone, but I’ll leave it at that and let you suggest others.
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Douche. Douchebag. Both of them are disgusting, and I have been appalled at how easily they’re tossed around in public and on TV.
Kath | Jan 3, 2010 | Reply
There are many things I would like to put a toe tag on: 1) Piercings: We get it, you’re a rebel with daddy issues. Not shocked anymore! 2) Baggy pants, really? It’s been 20 years! Normally we see the inner city style change when the suburban kids are mocking. But, to stay on topic 3) “I was like,” “He was like,” and “we were like” have all got to go! That’s my point! Peace Out, B&%$+#s!
Art Vandalay | Jan 4, 2010 | Reply
I’m pretty much automatically, immediately fed up with any expression du jour that one person says on TV or in a movie and then suddenly EVERYONE is repeating ad nauseum. This phenomenon really came on during “Seinfeld”’s run: “sponge-worthy”, “yadda yadda yadda”, “hellooooooooo”, et cetera, and has only gotten worse since. We as a society suffer from a severe, ongoing catchphrase deficiency, apparently.
“Chillaxin’” needs to go simply because of its extraordinarily high stupidity factor. And people are STILL using that damned Snoop Dogg version of Pig Latin, adding “-izzle” at the end of everythizzle. Enough already.
I have to say, though, that “douchebag” is still high on my usage list. It IS rather disgusting, but I think that’s the main appeal of its functionality. For me, anyway. But then, I can be a douchebag sometimes.
I also hate the word “dude” getting thrown around like it does any more, as well as how people use it as an entire sentence based on how they pronounce it.
GREETINGS: “Dude.” (goofy handshake and man hug ensues- and don’t get me started on the man hug)
SURPRISE/BEWILDERMENT: “Dude??!”
DISGUST/DISAPPOINTMENT: “Duuuuude…” and so on.
Right now I have to say my biggest pet peeve in this particular arena has to be the aforementioned “REALLY?!” Holy crap, that drives me nuts.
Really.
Johann | Jan 4, 2010 | Reply