# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Ann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@Ann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/41 "2002-06-18T10:44:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KXL \* > “ “ 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) \*\* looks like you need [http://www.juvalamu.com/qmarks/](http://www.juvalamu.com/qmarks/) ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/42 "2002-06-18T13:28:21Z")
I’ve got a couple: ‘Orientated’ - As in, “Grab a clipboard and let’s get orientated’” The word is oriented. I don’t understand why people feel the need to extend it. One variation that I actually kind of like is, ‘conversated’, as in, “Me and the little lady conversated about the deal last night and we decided not to take it.” Something pleasantly ridiculous about it. Another is the repetition of the same word to change it’s meaning. “Do you like him, like him or just like him?” Also, “It’s a lot, but it’s not too too much.” Redundancy is the enemy. ---
**Author:** ![Broodha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Broodha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broodha)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/43 "2002-06-18T13:35:08Z")
What about the phrase coined by the Bush administration: “War on Terror”. Aren’t we actually conducting a “War on Terrorism”? If it were truly a war on terror, Bush would be there when I go into the dark basement by myself and hear a noise in the corner. Hmmm. Maybe we need a “War on Horror” too. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/44 "2002-06-18T14:50:10Z")
“Continously” vs. “continually” “über-” anything. Maybe it’s a regional thing, but it’s getting a little overused here to the point of silliness. It’s used to suggest the “ultimate in…” or “the quintessential…”, but it’s getting ridiculous. Example/ über-mechanic, über-dog, über-environment, über-weenie I also get annoyed when people use “utilize” unnecessarily. Granted, I’ve become annoyed with “utilize” mostly as a result of having copy proof read. Often in copy you need to be clear and concise and “utilize”, though it’s used correctly, tends to be unnecessarily “wordy”. Particularly when it’s being used to make a simple sentence sound “smarter” because it’s a bigger word. It isn’t _wrong_, but I find it annoying. I think it’s a similar phenomenon as the case mentioned above, when people turn “oriented” into “orientated.” Using (or inventing) bigger words for effect rather than clarity. Example/ Person A - “I can’t get the damn lid off the paint can!” Person B - “Utilize the screwdriver.” ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/45 "2002-06-18T15:05:51Z")
Oh, wait – I thought of another: “Architect” used as a verb used to mean “structure” or “construct.” It seems to have evolved from the IT world, as in “…I will architect the Web site, so that on-line visitors can…” ---
**Author:** ![Jerevan\_Somerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Jerevan\_Somerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerevan_Somerville)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/46 "2002-06-18T15:40:24Z")
Anytime a person invents a new word because they don’t know it already exists, as in **phreesh** ’s examples. “a whole nother” instead of “another whole” or “a whole other” “robust” (healthy, full of vitality) instead of “rugged” (strong, able withstand rough treatment) “almost never”. Because, like “unique”, “never” is an unmodifiable absolute. And because the word “seldom” already exists. “more universal”, for the same reasons as “more unique”. “methodology” (the study of methods and approaches) instead of “method” (a particular approach or way of doing something). Misuse of the hyphen in joining a modifier to the word it modifies. “reversed-phase chromatography” or “reverse phase chromatography” instead of “reverse-phase chromatography”. ---
**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 18, 2002, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/47 "2002-06-18T20:49:22Z")
There’s a Connie Willis short story where a university professorial advisor uses the words “releventness” and “educationary” over and over. “Releventness” is my buzzword for stupid, meaningless terminology now. ---
**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 18, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/48 "2002-06-18T21:51:39Z")
Posted by Lissener: > [@](#): > > you’re either being deliberately obtuse or ineducably dense…if you were interested in pursuing the truth of the discussion rather than dishonestly trying to defend your own indefensible position: Look, there’s no need to be insulting. I am neither obtuse nor dense. I’ve not been dishonest in any way; you have no cause to accuse me of dishonesty, and I would appreciate an apology. If you are unable to maintain a civil tone during a friendly discussion of word usage, kindly confine your posting to the Pit. I do seem to have failed at making you understand a very simple point. Let’s begin again: You stated that the humorous statement: > [@](#): > > I got up to the podium and stuck my foot right in my mouth. (Pause) . . . literally. makes ironic use of the word “literally”. It does not. What it does do is present an imaginary situation which, **were it real and not imaginary** , would be an ironic occurrence. However, the **statement itself** is not ironic; it is a description of an ironic situation. ---
**Author:** ![Nightime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nightime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightime)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/49 "2002-06-18T21:53:07Z")
> [@](#): > > I am infuriated by the misuse of the word “literally” for dramatic emphasis. There is nothing wrong with this. Most people know what it means; that is exactly why it works. It allows you to make your claim more dramatic, and the fact that it is obviously not true makes the claim humorous. Of course this assumes you know what the word means. > [@](#): > > They’ll hopefully have sandwiches. I have never heard it used this way. I have heard things on the lines of “Hopefully, they’ll have sandwiches.” Hopefully could be describing your action of saying “they’ll have sandwiches.” In any case it makes sense. > [@](#): > > Either it’s unique or it isn’t! Something cannot be the most unique! Things are unique in different aspects. If things had to be unique in all aspects, nothing would be unique. For example, if there was only one penny in the world it would be unique. But if there was only one penny in the world, and there were no other coins of any kind in the world, then the penny would be more unique; unique in more different aspects. > [@](#): > > You COULD care less? I hate this one too. > [@](#): > > “Every now and then, a once-in-a-lifetime athlete comes along…” What is wrong with this? Do you think it is impossible that during your life you could have more than one once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? For example, every day you probably have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win the lottery with certain numbers, as long as those numbers are not repeated during your lifetime. > [@](#): > > “almost never”. Because, like “unique”, “never” is an unmodifiable absolute. And because the word “seldom” already exists. Almost never makes sense because the true meaning of never, like that of unique, could almost never be applied to anything. For example, you tell your kid to never run out into the street when there are cars, but it is possible that in the future he could be being chased by a mugger or escaping an even more certain death. And yet telling them that running into the street when there are cars is seldom a good idea is not strong enough. ---
**Author:** ![cmburns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@cmburns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmburns)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/50 "2002-06-18T22:40:13Z")
Most of mine have already been mentioned, so I’ll throw in just this minor peeve: “bemused” as a synonym for “amused” I don’t hear this one very often, but I do see it in written work. A character who hears something funny is described as wearing a bemused expression. That only makes sense if the character is a little slow in getting the joke. ---
**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 19, 2002, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/51 "2002-06-19T00:44:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baldwin \* > \*\*Posted by Lissener: > > Look, there’s no need to be insulting. I am neither obtuse nor dense. I’ve not been dishonest in any way; you have no cause to accuse me of dishonesty, and I would appreciate an apology. If you are unable to maintain a civil tone during a friendly discussion of word usage, kindly confine your posting to the Pit. > > I do seem to have failed at making you understand a very simple point. Let’s begin again: > > You stated that the humorous statement: > > makes ironic use of the word “literally”. It does not. What it does do is present an imaginary situation which, **were it real and not imaginary** , would be an ironic occurrence. However, the **statement itself** is not ironic; it is a description of an ironic situation. \*\* More politely then, B, you’re simply wrong. Please reread the quoted definitions of _irony_, trying _please_, to consider the possibility that you may be mistaken. I assure you that you are, and I’ve done everything I can to explain why. The rest will take some effort on your part. See: irony is defined, in my usage, as “The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. . . .An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning.” What could be more clear? Note it doesn’t say it _must_ be opposite in meaning; only incongruous. The single definition of the word that you refuse to look up from _is not the only definition in use._ In fact, it’s not even the most common. “Irony” as a synonym for _wit_ or _sarcasm_ or _wryness_ is a perfectly legitimate usage. Your narrow insistance on one single definition does not do anything to prove that there are _no other_ legitimate usages. If I use a cliche (foot in mouth) that has a _non_-literal meaning to most people, and then insist that I meant it _literally_, that is an ironic use of the word \*literally. \* Really, it is. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/52 "2002-06-19T02:48:59Z")
How about the people that say “a **mute** point” instead of “a **moot** point”. _ **shudder** _ ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/53 "2002-06-19T16:48:03Z")
> [@](#): > > If I use a cliche (foot in mouth) that has a non-literal meaning to most people, and then insist that I meant it literally, that is an ironic use of the word literally. > > Really, it is. I must be as obtuse as **Baldwin** , then, because I don’t see how the word “literally” is being used ironically in the cited case. True, it is an ironic use of the cliche, but it is NOT an ironic use of the modifier. ---
**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 19, 2002, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/54 "2002-06-19T17:35:17Z")
> [@](#): > > I must be as obtuse as Baldwin, then, because I don’t see how the word “literally” is being used ironically in the cited case. True, it is an ironic use of the cliche, but it is NOT an ironic use of the modifier. Thanks; that is in fact the point I’ve been unsuccessfully attempting to communicate to Lissener, who seems obsessed with the idea that I don’t look at dictionaries. This particular discussion seems to serve no further purpose; let’s simply agree I’m right, and move on. > [@](#): > > How about the people that say “a mute point” instead of “a moot point”. “A moot point” is a phrase that sometimes draw ire, even with standard pronunciation. It’s not that it’s being misused, but the word “moot” has several meanings, and all but one (“deprived of practical signficance; made abstract or purely academic”) seem to have been dropped in general conversation. Other meanings include: “Open to question; debatable; subjected to discussion; disputed”. I don’t know how the same word came to have nearly opposite meanings, but it does cause a bit of confusion. [Monty Python] Is your name not Bruce? No, it’s Michael. That’s going to cause a bit of confusion. Mind if we call you Bruce, just to keep things clear? [/Monty Python] ---
**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 19, 2002, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/55 "2002-06-19T20:01:58Z")
Of course I should just let this drop, but then again of course I can’t. You are both wrong, quite simply. I’m not making any of this up. Baldwin started out with his foot in his mouth (figuratively) and hasn’t the balls to take it out. An unqualified second vote doesn’t alter your unalterably mistaken position. This is all born of the recent fashion, spawned by Alannis More-is-less’s unfortunate and overplayed misusage of the word “ironic,” of assuming that just about _any_ use of the word is incorrect. The correct definition of her mistaken usage has been pointed out so many times that Baldwin, and many others like him, have assumed that this is the _only_ correct usage. He saw me use the word differently, assumed that it was therefore wrong, jumped in with both feet, and lacks the courage to jump back out. Whatever. Fighting ignorance is one thing, but willful ignorance is another. Moving on. ---
**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 19, 2002, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/56 "2002-06-19T20:12:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by xenophon41 \* > \*\* > I must be as obtuse as **Baldwin** , then, because I don’t see how the word “literally” is being used ironically in the cited case. True, it is an ironic use of the cliche, but it is NOT an ironic use of the modifier. \*\* One last time. It’s precisely the ironic use of the word “literally” that renders the use of the cliche ironic; it forces the incongruous image of a _literal_ foot in a _literal_ mouth. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/57 "2002-06-19T20:33:35Z")
Look, **lissener** , I can’t speak for **Baldwin** , but despite your condescending assumption about my relative ability to understand dictionary listings, I’m aware of the various meanings of “irony”. And no matter how many times you make the claim, the word “literally” IS NOT being used ironically in your example; it is being used (pay attention here) to **indicate the ironic use of the cliche**. Yes, it is a fact that the literal use of a metaphor makes its use ironic. Yes, you could describe the use of the cliche as ironically intended. But NO, the use of the word “literally” is not an ironic usage, any more than the use of the phrase “No, I mean I _really_ put my foot in my mouth!” would be an ironic usage, because the phrase itself is not meant ironically— only the metaphor is. Your mistake is in thinking that the word used to _point out_ the irony is part of the irony. It is not. ---
**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 19, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/58 "2002-06-19T20:57:09Z")
buh . . . buh . . . buh . . . OK, I’m really trying here. I’m looking at this problem with the assumption, based on the xenophon’s third vote, that I’m wrong. I’m taking on that perspective and trying to view the problem through that lense. And it just doesn’t work. I mean, I usually know when I’m being defensive, and I usually know when I’m blustering about something I’m not all that sure about, but nope, none of that fits here. The whole thing seems so obvious, and so elementary, that I simply cannot fathom what serpentine illogic you have used to get from point **A** [the example under discussion, to point **B** [the dictionary entries], to point **Z[sup]42[/sup]** [your conclusion]. I don’t care how many people chime in to the contrary, the question is so unambiguous that mere numbers don’t alter the fact. I feel like I should explain again, from another angle maybe, but it’s clear that information and accuracy is not what’s wanted here. ---
**Author:** ![Jerevan\_Somerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Jerevan\_Somerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerevan_Somerville)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/59 "2002-06-19T21:01:29Z")
**cmburns** , exactly! I remembered that one, too, after posting yesterday. As Inigo Montoya says to the Sicilian in _The Princess Bride_: “You keep using dat word. I don’ thin’ it means what you thin’ it means.” **Nightime** , I will have to disagree with you on your usage of “unique”, “never” and “once-in-a-lifetime”. The words “rare”, “seldom” (or “rarely”) and “unlikely” already exist. By definition: either thing is one-of-a-kind or it isn’t; either a thing happens “not ever” or it does happen; either a thing happens “once in a [given person’s] lifetime”, or it happens more than once or it never happens. None of these definitions allow for in-between states. I mean, you’re right: few things truly _are_ unique; never _is_ a long time; few opportunities truly _are_ “once-in-a-lifetime”. That _is_ the point of those words. However, on the subject of “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and the like, I will concede that this phrase is sometimes used in hyperbole to imply “a rare but desirable opportunity” rather than the literal meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Jerevan\_Somerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@Jerevan\_Somerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerevan_Somerville)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2002, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/60 "2002-06-19T21:15:22Z")
Actually, **lissener** , in a weird way Alanis Morissette’s song _is_ ironic, because the lyrics _don’t_ describe ironic situations. This depends, of course, on the premise that Alanis deliberately misused the word “ironic” throughout the song, but correctly in the title. Don’t you think? Can the word “ironic” itself be used ironically? Does anyone else’s head hurt? “Baldrick, do you know what ‘irony’ is?” “Sure, Mr Blackadder. It’s like ‘coppery’ and ‘tinny’.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058.md?page=4)