# The most useless word in the Engligh language... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 3, 2001, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159 "2001-10-03T10:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/21 "2001-10-04T02:58:29Z")
Well, my former English professor thought **very** and **really** were totally useless and we weren’t even allowed to use them in her class–in papers or in oral presentations. However, my vote is for **Betamax**. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/22 "2001-10-04T03:13:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Xerxes \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Um, I don’t think your legs can be akimbo, just your arms. (I’m willing to be corrected.) > > You’re (pretty much) right, certainly about its original meaning. I checked Merriam-Webster and its main meaning is ‘having the hand on the hip and the elbow turned outward’. Mercifully (for me) it _does_ have a secondary meaning (set in a bent position \) which I’m using to try and salvage some small morsel of self-esteem.\*\* “Libido in Limbo- Legs akimbo Never even ever read a word of Rimbaud” Scrapping Foetus Off the Wheel- “Lust for Death” And if it’s good enough for Jim Foetus (and since it rhymes with Rimbaud) it’s good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/23 "2001-10-04T03:18:25Z")
I think a strong nomination goes for any of the special words for groups of animals, like, for example, bevy. A Bevy of Quail. I mean, fer chrissakes, why a special word? It’d be one thing if it was understood that since bevy only means a group of quails in particular, one could leave off “Of quail” altogether and just say “bevy” alone. Then it’d be like a verbal shortcut. But since no one says “bevy” by itself, but instead says “Bevy of quail” it’s a word whose sole purpose seems to be taking up space in my head and my dictionaries. Because let’s face it, “group” or “bunch” would do just as well, given that you always modify it with “Of quail” anyway. It’s not just bevy. There are other wacko words that are like that, that designate a buncha animals together. They all get my vote, dagnabbit. ---
**Author:** ![Chickenhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chickenhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenhead)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/24 "2001-10-04T03:25:34Z")
AND HE PUMPED THE WATER OUT AND PUSHED THE GOOD AIR IN or something. oh. ---
**Author:** ![Earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/90db22/32.png) [@Earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthling)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/25 "2001-10-04T04:01:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > **There are other wacko words that are like that, that designate a buncha animals together. They all get my vote, dagnabbit.** Heh, don’t go near [this book](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140170960/qid=1002167926/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_3_1/107-2306493-0249312), then. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/26 "2001-10-04T04:15:46Z")
There’s always floccinaucihihilipilification. It means “the act of estimating as worthless”. Not something that can be wielded in everyday conversation without getting blank stares. ---
**Author:** ![Philosophocles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Philosophocles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philosophocles)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/27 "2001-10-04T04:34:47Z")
furtive ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/28 "2001-10-04T06:47:48Z")
“literally” - it has lost its true meaning and now is used as an intensifier. Quote from a realtor: “I saw a house the other day that was literally a piece of sh\*t.” ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/29 "2001-10-04T08:14:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nutty Bunny \* > \*\*However, my vote is for **Betamax**. \*\* Whossamatter, you don’t like TV? You know almost everything you watch is shot in Beta, right? and what’s _friendlily_? Misspelled? [sub]Oh, how funny am I?[/sub] I vote for meantime, basically, and utilize. ---
**Author:** ![Dragonblink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Dragonblink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragonblink)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/30 "2001-10-04T09:26:07Z")
Hey, I use “floccinaucinihilipilification” in conversation all the time! Of course, people look at me funny, but hey! It’s useful! Legs Akimbo was the name of the motiviational acting group-type thing from League of Gentlemen, wasn’t it? Oh, and since I have had a long, brutal day at work, I move that we declare the word “Frappuccino” useless and eradicate it from the English language. In fact, let’s find the person who came up with it, along with the whole Starbucks marketing department, and … Oh wait, I’m not in the Pit, am I? Um, nothing to see here, move along … ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Doris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@Sir\_Doris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Doris)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/31 "2001-10-04T10:07:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Xerxes \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > I love the programme Xerxes, and you are right about Mark Gatiss, but his band was called Creme Brulee I think > > Hangs head. You’re right. I think I’m going senile. That said, I **know** I’ve seen Legz (sic) Akimbo in relation to LofG. > > I think I’ll go have a beer now. \*\* … the travelling theatre company? ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/32 "2001-10-04T11:07:02Z")
Regardless enjoyable ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/33 "2001-10-04T11:25:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nostradamus \* > \*\*This act, as above, has appeared in several television shows in the UK over the years. > > Their modus operandi is to dance, in formation of course, on stage wearing said balloons strategically placed in front of their Private Parts. > > The number of balloons available for concealment is gradually reduced throughout the performance, via popping etc. > > I always thought they were called _Legs Akimbo_, and I am wondering if anyone can confirm this. > > In so saying, I am aware of a Welsh rock band who are also called _Legs Akimbo_. It’s not them. \*\* I think you’re thinking of _The Greatest Show on Legs_. Urrrhh, useless words? Spirketting. Cribriform. Malacologist. _Hapax legomenon_. Coscinomancer. Noëtic. Supralapsarian… :: loud _doomph!_ as Steve is felled by Thorazine-tipped tranquilizer dart :: ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/34 "2001-10-04T11:31:01Z")
How about “irregardless”. It wasn’t accepted as a real word for sometime, but in Encarta, and Merriam-Webster Collegiate it’s defined as “regardless”. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/35 "2001-10-04T11:50:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*Originally posted by Steve Wright \*\* > > I think you’re thinking of _The Greatest Show on Legs_. Bingo. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/36 "2001-10-04T11:58:09Z")
There was a character in the comic strip **The Circus of P.T. Bimbo** (late 1960s) named “Legs Akimbo”. He was a contortionist. I always was annoyed by that, because I thought I came up with the name, and somebody else used it before I had a chance to. “semidiameter” is a synonym for “radius”. ---
**Author:** ![bwanasimba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/53a042/32.png) [@bwanasimba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bwanasimba)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/37 "2001-10-04T12:17:50Z")
“superfluous”. It’s surplus to requirements. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/38 "2001-10-04T12:49:51Z")
Why can’t we get rid of two of these three: Dutch, Holland and The Netherlands. Pick one to use for the country, people and language and give up the other two. For such a little country, you certainly have a lot of words for yourselves. ---
**Author:** ![diamud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@diamud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diamud)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/39 "2001-10-04T13:22:14Z")
My vote would be for “just,” used as an adverb. It rarely adds anything to a written text, and can usually be omitted with no loss in meaning. As a noun it is a useful word, but the adverb form is over-used and usually redundant. ---
**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159/40 "2001-10-04T13:24:41Z")
Oh God Nutmagnet-you mean “irregardless” is now ACCEPTABLE? People will be able to utter that word and my cringing and inner desire to inflict Stooges-like violence upon the speaker will no longer be grammatically supportable? MY WORST NIGHTMARE COME TRUE! Oh-nominated useless word=paradigm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-useless-word-in-the-engligh-language/85159.md?page=3)