# Three non-technical, non-PR, non-Management Speak words you really hate **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 11, 2005, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754 "2005-04-11T05:57:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Keapon\_Laffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Keapon\_Laffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keapon_Laffin)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/41 "2005-04-13T06:20:20Z")
Might be an Aussie thing, but I can’t stand ARVO. Its not a real word, and it sure wasn’t derived from one. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/42 "2005-04-13T12:07:25Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > I only have one at the moment: fellowship, as used by religious types. > > This word is a noun. It is not a verb. It does not describe an action. It is not possible for one to fellowship. A group of people can not be fellowshipping. Last week, they had not fellowshipped. This might be the Masonic handshake kind of usage: a subtle way to let people know that (say) “I am a religious type” without actually telling them. Similarly, if you are ex-military and find yourselfr around pilot types, you might drop the word “helo” (if your ex-ness is Navy/Marine in nature) or “chopper” (if Army/Air Force). ---
**Author:** ![Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/43 "2005-04-13T14:16:41Z")
“yeah?” Not the use of yeah as an answer, but as a question such as “that’s good, yeah?” hate it. My former boss didn’t walk, he perambulated, he was a pretentious tosser who liked to show that he was better educated than us minions. I know this is a phrase, but it still annoys me “it’s not rocket science”. Everyone seems to say it, really pisses me off. Also “partner”. Nope she’s my wife, we are not in business together. If we didn’t want to be husband and wife we would not have bothered getting married. There are lots more, I’m sure I will be back later. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/44 "2005-04-13T15:01:55Z")
> [@davmilasav](#): > > May I add _Internet_ to that list? Internet is not a verb! There’s a high-speed ISP commercial that uses the tagline “The fastest way to Internet!” Where the hell did the “the” go? _Internet_, whether a proper noun or not, is still a noun. Use the indefinite article, it won’t kill you. But I want to. There’s another one that does the same thing with _office_. Your best way to office, or something similar. The hell? When did “office” become a verb? Die, evil abuser of the language! **Snuck** : I hate this phony word! The past tense is _sneaked_. "Snuck is bullshit ignorance, but I’ve pretty much given up on fighting it. **Crap** : I loathe this one. It’s just a pansy word for “shit” and if it’s shit then call it shit. Unless you’re throwing dice, don’t use it. ---
**Author:** ![AndyPolley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@AndyPolley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyPolley)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/45 "2005-04-13T15:35:40Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > “Panties” > > Something about the word makes me grind my teeth. It sounds so…filthy. The word “underwear” is a perfectly fine substitute. Panties? We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one. I have a friend who makes up nicknames for her dog that tend to make my skin crawl, but I don’t think that counts. My GF uses “literally” to describe everything, which used to annoy me to no end, but now I find it to be very cute, much like her panties. I roll my eyes every time someone here envokes a “Straw Man.” ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/46 "2005-04-13T15:39:16Z")
> [@AndyPolley](#): > > I roll my eyes every time someone here envokes a “Straw Man.” I feel the same way about “world-view”. I dunno, just drives me nuts for no good reason. ---
**Author:** ![wonderwench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/35a633/32.png) [@wonderwench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderwench)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/47 "2005-04-13T15:44:16Z")
The Benjamins and Bling-Bling are getting very tiresome. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/48 "2005-04-13T16:18:07Z")
> [@dwc1970](#): > > He must be related to a guy whose (insanely boring) meetings I used to go to. His favorite word was **essentially**. He said it 19 times during a one-hour meeting. Counting his usage of this word was the only thing that kept me from falling asleep. My cube neighbor says “basically” all the freakin’ time. With an Indian accent, meaning he pronounces it base-ick-all-ly. He’s a sweet guy though. My others are orientate and Doug. 😃 (He’s another cow-orker.) ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/49 "2005-04-13T21:02:01Z")
The words “fetid” and “fecund” make me want to puke. Just a tad too close to “feces,” I suppose. I agree with **Lemur866** about “panties.” Especially since every time I read it I have a goofy voice in my head say “pahn-tees!” I have to disagree with **Otto** concerning “crap,” though. It’s just so useful! “Crap” is more euphonious than “shit,” anyway, which just sounds dirty. And “dialogue” is NOT a verb. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/50 "2005-04-13T22:07:38Z")
**issue** It’s a catch-all word to mean any problem or potential problem. I hate it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/51 "2005-04-17T03:37:01Z")
> [@AndyPolley](#): > > I roll my eyes every time someone here envokes a “Straw Man.” IMHO, I find this to be harmless phrase, but still, couldn’t someone use a better synonym? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/52 "2005-04-17T04:42:02Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > “Panties” > > Something about the word makes me grind my teeth. It sounds so…filthy. The word “underwear” is a perfectly fine substitute. But, you see, “underwear” is general, while “panties” is specific. See, if I say, “She stood at the foot of my bed and removed her underwear”, I could be talking about her bra, her merry widow, her bustier, her chemise, her teddy, her longjohns… When I say, “She slipped off her panties”, everyone knows exactly what I’m talking about. “lesbo” What a stupid slang abbreviation for “lesbian”. (Yes, I know the word “lesbian” comes from the the name of the Greek island, “Lesbos”, but still…) “Fundie” to refer to a fundementalist Christian. “alternative” as a musical genre - it has come to mean any “rock” that isn’t “pop”, “hip-hop” or “R&B”. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/53 "2005-04-17T04:59:59Z")
Street-smart. ---
**Author:** ![born\_too\_late](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@born\_too\_late](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/born_too_late)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/54 "2005-04-17T07:26:48Z")
I’m going to second ‘issues’ Such a smarmy, over-used, pretentious euphemism. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/55 "2005-04-17T07:53:33Z")
‘Grow’ used in its transitive form with a non-plant object. This has become ubiquitous, and it just grates on my nerves. “Eddie grows flowers in his backyard.” - fine “The government needs to take steps to grow the economy.” - AAARRRGGGHHH!!! ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/56 "2005-04-17T18:51:42Z")
> [@born too late](#): > > I’m going to second ‘issues’ > > Such a smarmy, over-used, pretentious euphemism. I think when Cartman on _South Park_ said “I think Kyle has iiisssuuues at home” it sounded the death knell for this stupid word. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/57 "2005-04-18T01:54:52Z")
> [@born too late](#): > > I’m going to second ‘issues’ > > Such a smarmy, over-used, pretentious euphemism. So condescending too. And a symptom of the disease caused by the abolition of thinking. A: “The Japanese treatment of POWs was appalling.” B: “You seem to have some issues.” / “You need to work through your issues some.” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/58 "2005-04-18T02:33:00Z")
**honcho** - I have heard it used as a noun AND as a verb, and it sucks both ways. **execute** - when used for any other meaning than to kill a defenseless person. **secretary** - all I know for sure is almost nobidy wants to be identified as one. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/59 "2005-04-18T03:50:47Z")
Wellness. That word is just one big “Hunh?” for me. All verbing must cease immediately. I have a special anger in my heart for movie titles of the “Verbing Noun” variety. They just need to stop doing that. Baller. What the hell’s a baller? I know his pockets are full growed, but I still don’t know what it is. ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754/60 "2005-04-18T05:51:18Z")
Sammich, sammidge, and any other hideous mispellings of sandwitch that contain the letter ‘M’ are blights on the written word that should only be tolerated in 6 year olds. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-non-technical-non-pr-non-management-speak-words-you-really-hate/298754.md?page=4)