# What annoying/pretentious terms and figures of speech should be abolished? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 9, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627 "2003-09-09T22:40:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/101 "2003-09-12T17:15:16Z")
Excuse me, but “proactive” and “paradigm”? Aren’t these just buzzwords that dumb people use to sound important?[backpedaling] Not that I’m accusing you of anything like that.[pause] I’m fired, aren’t I? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/102 "2003-09-12T20:15:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cicada2003 \* > \*\*_Uber_-anything. Uber-overused! > > \*\* In the credits at the end of the recent remake of **The Time Machine** , one discovers that there had been a character called “Uber-Morlock”. HG Wells is rolling in his grave. Maybe it’s gone beyond overuse and into …_irony_. (gag) ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/103 "2003-09-12T20:37:01Z")
Pretty sure ûber is just German for “over” or “above.” You’re right though, it is a little ûberused. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2003, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/104 "2003-09-12T20:49:08Z")
If I hear one more disaster described as “…a wake-up call” for such-and-such or so-and-so…well, I don’t know what. But I hate it. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/105 "2003-09-13T00:47:17Z")
That’s all I’m going to say. As in … Don’t sit here all night again posting to that addicting SDMB. That’s all I’m going to say. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Amberlei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Amberlei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amberlei)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/106 "2003-09-13T01:11:52Z")
> [@](#): > > [ > Using ‘sexy’ to describe to describe new results or certain journals. (I work in a research lab … not sure if this happens outside of science research.) \*\* I’m in a research lab too. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks describing results as ‘sexy’ is odd. ---
**Author:** ![Engineer\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc29f/32.png) [@Engineer\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engineer_Dude)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/107 "2003-09-13T04:10:05Z")
“He/She really needs to get laid.” ``` or ``` “He/She could use a good humping.” Isn’t that pretty much true of anyone? ---
**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:** [September 13, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/108 "2003-09-13T04:32:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BoringDad \* > \*\*I must ride to the defense of “shits and giggles”. One is not attempting to appear clever, funny, or mature when one uses said prase. When one does something for “shits and giggles”, it usually implies that one is bored and casting about for any meaningless activity with which to while away time. > > One does not go to see “La Boheme” for shits and giggles. One does huck Krispy Kreme donuts at passing cars for shits and giggles. > > So your conclusion that it is uncalled-for and unnecessary truly matches the purpose of the phrase. \*\* I’m not criticizing the phrase for its meaning. I think it is an incredibly stupid phrase. Like I mentioned before, it is a nasty phrase that is generally\* used by those under the delusion that they are cool. I just hate the phrase. Hate it. \*Well, of course, there are exceptions. And if you feel the need to flame me or something, then, well, uh, you’re an exception. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/109 "2003-09-13T06:04:32Z")
I’ve always had problem with people who feel the need to object obscenities into everything they say. Full of piss and vinegar (insert object) is as (insert adjective) as Hell. I also can’t stand “vis-a-vis”. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/110 "2003-09-13T06:11:49Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve always had problem with people who feel the need to object obscenities into everything they say. That reminds me of another one. Putting “damn” in front of everything. “That movie was damn fine!” “That was a damn good pie!” “Shut the damn door!” Stop. Saying. Damn. ---
**Author:** ![cheesepickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/57b2e6/32.png) [@cheesepickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheesepickles)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/111 "2003-09-13T17:10:56Z")
Gourmet and luxury are two insanely overworked words used by those flogging mediocre goods and such. MY BAD!-yes, thank you for pointing out that it was your bad, I had no idea who was at fault. What about the mania for pre-ing everything? Pre-heating, pre-release, pre-design, etc. Similarly,…this I’ve always found a bit pretentious. ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/112 "2003-09-13T18:51:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by shy guy \* > \*\*That reminds me of another one. Putting “damn” in front of everything. > > “That movie was damn fine!” > “That was a damn good pie!” > “Shut the damn door!” > > Stop. Saying. Damn. \*\* In addition, I hate people who use the word “shit” for “stuff.” “I have some shit to take care of.” “I was carrying all this shit around.” “I went to this restaurant and they had all kinds of shit.” Don’t you realize how horrible that sounds?!? ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/113 "2003-09-13T23:28:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Yumblie \* > \*\*In addition, I hate people who use the word “shit” for “stuff.” > > “I have some shit to take care of.” > > “I was carrying all this shit around.” > > “I went to this restaurant and they had all kinds of shit.” > > Don’t you realize how horrible that sounds?!? \*\* Do you suppose such people have shit for brains? ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/114 "2003-09-14T00:06:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Herb Twoleaf \* > \*\*this, that, and the other, > thus-and-such, > …and all, > …and everything, > …and stuff, > etcetera, etcetera (isn’t one enough?) > \*\* I worked for a while with a very nice lady whose irritating habit was to end nearly every sentence with “…and things.” She moved away several years ago, or I would be in jail…and things. The ultimate, though, was an actual storefront spotted on the Oregon coast just weeks ago, bearing the name THINGS & STUFF It was so kitchy, it had a certain grandeur A second peeve is **alot** , which is used with depressing frequency on these boards. When did the article “a” become attached to the word “lot”? People, they are **two different words!**. Respect their identity and leave them thus, please! I find this practice annoys me abunch. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/115 "2003-09-14T02:15:56Z")
How about sportscasters over use of “struggle”? Now that you’re aware of it, you will notice over and over again how so many of these guys so often resort to this word. It is a negative reference that tells you nothing specific. “He’s been struggling at the plate lately.” “Jennifer has struggled with her serve throughout the tournament.” “Whoops. He had to struggle to get back to the base.” It never stops. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Jenkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Brown\_Jenkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Jenkin)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/116 "2003-09-14T10:16:50Z")
“Thanking you.” Not thanking you for anything. Just thanking you. ---
**Author:** ![Milum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Milum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milum)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/117 "2003-09-14T11:56:53Z")
Any cliche that is a lazy substitute for an original expression. The use of profanity when there is no intent to be profane. All vulgarisms. All fad words. All pretentious words that are spoken to deliberatly obfuscate meaning as in legalesse or the ofttimes unnecessary jargon used by doctors and other professionals so as to distant their voo-doo from their trusting customers with cash. But mostly…mainly…I have a problem with the smug, arrogant, regal manner that is implicit when people say… **\\\I have no problem with that/////** When someone says this it is permissible to use profanities. ---
**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/118 "2003-09-14T14:50:54Z")
I absolutely **hate** the improper use of “real estate” when applied to any area or volume such as in “The Universe is X light years across. That’s a lot of real estate.” Or how about, “Yellowstone National park covers X hundred square miles. That is a lot of real estate.” Real estate is a legal term for certain property. For example, before America was taken over by Europeans, the same land existed then as now, but there was no real estate. This is a great thread. It reminds us that language is best when it conveys ideas in the simplest manner possible. Is that simple enough? ---
**Author:** ![EmptyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f9ae1b/32.png) [@EmptyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmptyM)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/119 "2003-09-14T15:10:30Z")
I went out to dinner with my mother and her friend last night, and every time her friend was telling us she liked something she’d say “Out of this world” or “To die for”. I don’t think perfume is extraterrestrial and cheesecake is not worth dying over. “In and of itself” That means nothing in and of itself. The amount of synonyms my generation has for “cool” is embarassing. “Sweet”, “tight”, “phat”, “awesome”, “hot” and probably dozens of others I haven’t heard of since I quit watching MTV. The synopsis on the back of the book I’m reading describes it as “fantastical.” Why does that remind me of a part of my sexual anatomy? “Divine” meaning “good.” ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_of\_Sandwhich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/91b2a8/32.png) [@Earl\_of\_Sandwhich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_of_Sandwhich)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627/120 "2003-09-14T18:12:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by look!ninjas \* > \*\*You don’t hear it so much in conversation, but there was a time when you couldn’t read literary reviews without coming across the term “Postmodern,” often abbreviated “Pomo.” What bothered me so much about the term “Postmodern” was not so much that it was vague, or often misapplied, or even that it was not technically possible for anything to be “Postmodern.” It’s just that every time I read the word “Pomo,” I thought that the word in use is “Porno.” Then I spent a few minutes trying to figure out what the pornographic content in the reviewed book could possibly have been. It drove me to distraction, I tell you! > > Then there was Post-Postmodern, which was even worse. And Irony, and the Death of Irony. I don’t read a lot of literary reviews anymore. \*\* Folks who have ever read an annoying annoying music review may enjoy this. jnglmassiv is annoyed at actors being referred to by the roles they played in the past. More annoying is seeing a person referred to as an “actor’s actor.” What does that mean? Stephe96 is annoyed when a disaster is referred to as a “wake-up call.” Remember that a wake-up call is inevitably followed by the “grim task” of identifying the dead. Other favorites: anything involving the word “jailhouse.” Jailhouse snitch, jailhouse lawyer, jailhouse confession. If Martha Stewart ends up behind bars, will “jailhouse” become “jailhome”? About ten or fifteen years ago, it seemed common for people to end up dead in “drug deals gone bad.” Another gem is the “execution-style,” or “gangland-style” murder of an informant. The Onion made a clever comment on this phrase a week or two ago. I will bet that 99% of folks in the media who use this phrase do so simply because it gives the story an edgy feel. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-annoying-pretentious-terms-and-figures-of-speech-should-be-abolished/200627.md?page=7)