# Misused/Overused Words - Post your favorites

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058>\
**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:** 5\
**Page:** 8

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**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/141 "2003-02-02T21:58:04Z")

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**on accident**

This may be a Puget Sound area abomination. The first time I heard someone say it (“I spilled my juice on accident”) it was a child so I thought it was a mistake. When I heard a teacher say it, though, I almost fell over.

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**Author:** ![TwungTister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TwungTister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwungTister)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/142 "2003-02-03T14:46:56Z")

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**Thank you!**

I never thank the salesclerk or bank teller. I’m confused as to whether I should thank her for dealing with me or ‘welcome’ her for thanking me!

**Separate to, Different to** - yu meen FRUM  
I got really confused on a scientific paper, because the writer used “to” instead of “from”.

Thank You!

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**Author:** ![Flowerchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/858c86/32.png) [@Flowerchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flowerchild)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/143 "2003-02-04T03:09:09Z")

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Thank you Skogcat, the one time I did use, I used it correctly and they all looked at me like I was the wrong one.

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**Author:** ![TwungTister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TwungTister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwungTister)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/144 "2003-02-06T19:47:26Z")

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Revolutionary. E v e r y t h i n g is revolutionary.

(Source: Advertising.)

Undeniable evidence [against Iraq].

(Source: Newspaper. I wouldn’t have denied the evidence. I think Bushy meant undeniable conclusion.)

Closure. Zippers provide closure. Funerals do not.

(Source: All news media.)

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**Author:** ![TwungTister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TwungTister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwungTister)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misused-overused-words-post-your-favorites/114058/145 "2003-02-06T20:10:28Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> BOUGHTEN.
> 
> As in, “I’ve never boughten a style-guide before,” or, “This is the largest pink-and-chartreuse tuque I’ve ever boughten.”
> 
> It makes me want to scream.

However, I like “boughten bread,” (not to eat, but to say.) Also “olden days.”  
Boughten bread is not bread you bought. It is bread of an entirely different kind from what you make, bought in a grocery or gas station. Usually this is Wonder brand. The word “boughten,” IRONICALLY, is homemade. Past Perfect + EN = adjective.

My relatives say brang. “I brang a present.” It makes me feel at home.

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