# Misused/Overused Words - Post your favorites **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 14, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058 "2002-06-14T16:45:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Broodha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Broodha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broodha)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/1 "2002-06-14T16:45:09Z")
I am infuriated by the misuse of the word “literally” for dramatic emphasis. For example: “When I was in rehab, I LITERALLY went to hell and back.” “Be sure to bring your umbrellas today, because it is LITERALLY raining cats and dogs.” The result is that this great word is being used to mean its opposite (figuratively). Check out the real meaning. literally \Lit"er_al_ly, adv. 1. According to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not be literally one flesh. 1. With close adherence to words; word by word. Source: Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. ANY OTHER FAVORITES? ---
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/2 "2002-06-14T17:35:49Z")
Well, I was literally going to bitch about the use of the word literally. ---
**Author:** ![KXL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@KXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KXL)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/3 "2002-06-14T17:36:55Z")
**Hopefully.** “Hopefully”, being an adverb, can only describe an action. Good uses include… Hopefully, he sat down next to the prettiest girl at the party. (He sat down next to her hoping he could strike up a conversation) He hopefully pressed the button that launched the rocket. (He hoped the rocket wouldn’t blow up on its way to the moon) BAD uses include . . . They’ll hopefully have sandwiches. (This means that they are hoping you will eat their sandwiches, not that you hope they have sandwiches for you to eat) And, of course, this new trend of **using “ “ as emphasis.** “ “ means only one of two things: You are quoting what someone said, or you are being ironic (“ “ around a word means you’re saying “not really”) This are BAD: “Fresh” fish today. (Means the fish isn’t really fresh) “Two” burgers for the price of one. (Means you don’t really get two, maybe 1.5) We require “all” forms to be filled out. (Means you don’t) ---
**Author:** ![KXL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@KXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KXL)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/4 "2002-06-14T17:38:41Z")
**These are bad** Yes, KXL also hates people who don’t proofread. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/5 "2002-06-14T17:56:57Z")
Most unique. Either it’s unique or it isn’t! Something cannot be the most unique! Possibly the most rare, (the rarest among rare things) but once it’s unique, it’s already one-of-a-kind and you can’t get more unique that than. Regarding “literally,” I seem to recall a pit thread about this very thing and someone offered a second definition of “literally” which was “figuratively.” Perhaps someone would care to scare up that thread, because every time I do a search the world ends. Literally. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/6 "2002-06-14T18:37:04Z")
“right on!” My fucking sister says this as a response to ANY comment to her. “You wanna go out to dinner?” “right on” “You owe me $10.” “right on” “…and thats why they don’t allow high pressure canisters on airliners.” “right on” I HATE THAT!!! GROW UP AND LEARN TO COMMUNICATE LIKE AN ADULT!!! (she’s 40!) ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/7 "2002-06-14T20:23:22Z")
TIRED of this. It’s possible to use the word “literally” in an ironic fashion. ME: I got up to the podium and stuck my foot right in my mouth. (Pause) . . . literally. YOU: (If my intention to plant a funny image in your mind worked) Ha ha ha. That’s very funny. And I DARE someon to challenge my use of the word “ironic.” It’s become fashionable to assume that “literally” and “ironic” are NEVER used correctly, which of course is bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/8 "2002-06-14T20:29:34Z")
I have co-worker who uses the word “basically”, basically every other word. He uses it correctly, but it is just so funny, especially when he catches himself doing it. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/9 "2002-06-14T20:36:24Z")
But anyway. Here are some words that are almost NEVER used correctly:[ul][li]epitome[/li][li]comprise[/li][li]infer[/ul]and there are more but I haven’t had my coffee yet.[/li] And here are some common misusages that get under my skin:[ul][li]different than[/li][li]lay down[/li][li]none of us are[/li][li]you are the weakest link [when there’re only two left][/li][li]ect.[/ul][/li] Etc. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/10 "2002-06-14T20:46:16Z")
Basically, she doesn’t say “you are the weakest link” when there is only two people left remaining. She goes to the winner that they are tonight’s stongest link, and can go away with the loot, while the runner-up simply must go away (and lay down, I comprise). The last round is literally different than the others. It’s so unique, right on! It’s the epitome of, like, game show technology. Can you see what I’m inferring? Like, none of us are perfect, y’know? Seriously, I once had to take a moment when someone said to me in anger: “Don’t try your patience with me!” ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/11 "2002-06-14T20:49:35Z")
Basically, you should play closer attention next time. The announcer always says, at the end of the penultimate round, that “So and so was the strongest link from the last round.” And even Anne never says _weaker,_ only _weakest_, no matter the context, no matter the number of players. ---
**Author:** ![Stringer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Stringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/12 "2002-06-14T21:14:56Z")
I love it when people think they are trying to be smart and use a adverb after a linking verb. Something like: “I feel badly”. There is nothing wrong with your sense of touch, pal. Micah ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2002, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/13 "2002-06-14T22:20:44Z")
But the only time “weakest” or “strongest” would be ungrammaticlike is the final round when there is only 2 contestants left remaining. And I’m really sure she doesn’t say “weakest” during this round, and referring to a player as “tonight’s strongest link” is relative to the original group of eight. So, like, there. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/14 "2002-06-15T01:28:52Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s possible to use the word “literally” in an ironic fashion. > > ME: I got up to the podium and stuck my foot right in my mouth. (Pause) . . . literally. > YOU: (If my intention to plant a funny image in your mind worked) Ha ha ha. That’s very funny. > > And I DARE someon to challenge my use of the word “ironic.” I guess I’ll take that dare. Your use of the word “literally” in the humorous statement above would have been ironic if the intended meaning of the word were the opposite of its literal meaning. Instead, you’ve used an absurd image for the sake of humor. The humor is not based on a word being used to mean its opposite, but on a false statement being used to create an amusing image. How about the word “ultimate”? I don’t often hear people use it in conversation, but for decades it’s been a popular word in advertising. Example: “The ultimate driving machine!” Wouldn’t that mean that they won’t be producing any new models after this one? A truly annoying trend is to use verbs as nouns, and nouns as verbs. This is popular in corporate-speak; I’ve actually heard people say “We should dialogue sometime.” A series of Kinko’s ads use the phrase “The new way to office!” ---
**Author:** ![lenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3bc359/32.png) [@lenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lenin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/15 "2002-06-15T01:56:02Z")
Overusing certain words is, like, really stupid, because, like, you look like an idiot, and, like, people won’t take you, like, seriously. On a similar vein are people who use too many words because they can’t be specific. The frequent use of modifiers such as “almost,” “somewhat,” “a bit,” “nearly,” and so just make the person sound incredibly vague and unsure of what the hell they’re saying. ---
**Author:** ![Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/2bfe46/32.png) [@Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xavier)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/16 "2002-06-15T02:04:00Z")
Isn’t the phrase: “It puts me off” technically incorrect? ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Bongo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a9adbd/32.png) [@Winston\_Bongo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Bongo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/17 "2002-06-15T02:16:56Z")
It drives me nuts when people say, “I could care less about him/her/that.” You COULD care less? Meaning it would indeed be possible for you to care less than you currently do? So you DO CARE to some extent! Gaah! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![ndorward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c2a13f/32.png) [@ndorward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ndorward)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/18 "2002-06-15T06:25:43Z")
A particular irritant is the use of “obtuse” as a synonym for “obscure” or “difficult” rather than “slow-witted”. – And the general confusion between “disinterested” & “uninterested”. I seem to recall a thread about this on the board already but I’ll say it again: pedants who go on about “comprise” are in fact wrong, as a glance at Merriam-Webster will demonstrate: the locution “is comprised of” can be documented way back to the 18th century, surely more than enough historical precedent. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/19 "2002-06-15T16:51:55Z")
It impacted me. No, no no, it’s, "it _had an impact_ on me. Unless you’re using it in the medical sense of “impacted knee” or whatever. Also, the evangelical Christian use of “fellowship”, as in, “let’s go fellowship together!” or “We fellowshipped!”. Redundant statements are annoying also- e.g. “absolutely, completely the ultimate!”. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2002, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/20 "2002-06-15T20:20:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baldwin \* > \*\* > > I guess I’ll take that dare. Your use of the word “literally” in the humorous statement above would have been ironic if the intended meaning of the word were the opposite of its literal meaning. Instead, you’ve used an absurd image for the sake of humor. The humor is not based on a word being used to mean its opposite, but on a false statement being used to create an amusing image. . . .\*\* Bzzzt! But thanks for playing. The [dictionary](http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=ironic) is your friend. The third entry listed at the above link is the one that is often misused, but it _is_, after all the third entry. The first and second define the usage in my post. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058.md?page=2)