# Words I can't bear to hear **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 8, 2000, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366 "2000-11-08T21:29:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Simon\_Met\_a\_Pieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simon\_Met\_a\_Pieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simon_Met_a_Pieman)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/81 "2001-01-08T20:44:29Z")
Conversate. People converse. They do not conversate. This word is almost invariably used by factory workers and thugs when they wish to verbalize the desire to speak with a member of the opposite sex. I never fail to “get in touch with my anger” when I hear this abomination. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![False\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee7513/32.png) [@False\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/False_God)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/82 "2001-01-08T22:22:14Z")
To “chase up”, as in ‘We have a number of issues (I hate this, too) to chase up." Chase down, chase to the end, but unless your problem is a raccoon and you’ve got the houn’ dawgs, and there’s actual trees up which to chase your “issue” just resolve your problem. Also, any quasi-black expression used by whiter-than-white people: “Whassup?”, “My man”, “Big snaps to that”, “Jiggy”, and " Ain’t no thing". Actually, the above can be funny just because of the utter lack of hipness generally associated with people who think parroting what they saw on a Sprite commercial gives them street cred. ---
**Author:** ![Medievalist2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19adc/32.png) [@Medievalist2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medievalist2)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/83 "2001-01-13T10:43:49Z")
I hate to hear any four-letter word. I also hate the word “tummy.” It’s babyish and condescending. And who decided that it was cute to say “veggies” for “vegetables”? How childish. ---
**Author:** ![kirk280980](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@kirk280980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk280980)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/84 "2001-01-13T23:25:35Z")
I cringe when I hear someone refer to their butt as their “fanny”. Here in England, that word is slang for vagina. You can imagine my thoughts when I hear a woman saying, “Does my fanny look big in this dress?” ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/85 "2001-01-13T23:53:46Z")
I want to back up misuse of “penultimate”. And I see I was beaten to the punch with my major pet peeve, “conversate.” So here’s some more I hate: Do **NOT** use “disinterested” when you mean “uninterested”. Sweet Allah, how I hate this. As far as nouns being used as verbs, the one that’s always made me gag was “party” (as in to party). I realize this has become acceptable, but it still sounds retarded to me. Words I hate for no reason: sup (the verb, not the contraction of “what’s up”) panties teat li’l scoliosis greasy when pronounced “greazy” and the 47th vote for “belly” ---
**Author:** ![Mammie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/49beb7/32.png) [@Mammie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mammie)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/86 "2001-01-14T01:57:10Z")
I hate it when someone is speaking of another person and telling what they had to say and uses the phrase, “and he allowed as how.” Makes me grit my teeth. Also, I have a friend who never says the work asks. She always pronounces it axe…like, “I want to axe you something.” ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/87 "2001-01-14T03:02:31Z")
AAARRrgghhh! Axe for ask drives me bats. I also lothe the whole 24/7 thing. And if one more person says “My bad” within earshot, I might just lose it completely. One that I really hate, but have noticed myself using is “own"or “owned”, as in “He totaly owned that presentation.”, or Jeff really owned that game.” ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/88 "2001-01-14T03:46:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > \*\*Any use of a noun as a verb or a verb as a noun. E.g. “to bobdole”. Exception noted for common participles. > \*\* Same here. I wanted to strangle whoever thought of the Kinko’s commercial that tried to make popular, “To office.” Yerg. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/89 "2001-01-14T03:50:18Z")
Oh, and I forgot one. People around here actually say “breastisis” instead of “breasts.” I am not certain if I spelled it correctly, but since it isn’t a word, who cares? These are usually the same people that say “axe” for “ask.” I hate that too. Double yerg. Since this is post 99, I shall save number 100 for something special. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ignatzmouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b2d939/32.png) [@ignatzmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ignatzmouse)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/90 "2001-01-14T18:35:10Z")
Why is it that people create new words where old words exist, but also destroy words for which there are no precise alternatives. For example: I hate the word “societal.” There is no good reason that one shouldn’t use social here. On the other hand, like \*\*woodstockbirdybird \*\*, I mourn the loss of “disinterested.” There is no precise alternative Unbiased is close, but does not disallow having an interest - i.e. an element which directly impacts the party In addition, I am always concerned when the misuse and eventual loss of a word creates confusion. Just what do people who use “disinterested” to mean “uninterested” think judges (other than five very specific Justices) are? ---
**Author:** ![Ad\_Noctum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b19c9b/32.png) [@Ad\_Noctum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ad_Noctum)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/91 "2001-01-14T19:46:32Z")
pretty much anything with a hard “k” sound, it just gest stuck in the back of your throat, and sounds pretty badly… “Prostrate” cancer… no no no No NO! it’s PROSTATE cancer! Potential “your kid has so much potential, he just doesn’t use it!” we’re better than you (teachers to students) I’ll think of more… ---
**Author:** ![galyean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f9ae1b/32.png) [@galyean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galyean)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/92 "2001-01-14T22:44:27Z")
Nothing initiates the gag reflex for me like the phrase “perception is reality.” Empty space is another one. Space by definition is empty. Therefore, empty space is redundant. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Sang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ee7513/32.png) [@Le\_Sang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Sang)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/93 "2001-01-14T23:00:06Z")
These are only unbearable words in series: _Serious_ and _Talk_ in close succession are possibly the most terrifying words in the English language. [sub]note to friends: no, there is nothing wrong at the moment. Stop worrying. Go have a beer.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![ignatzmouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b2d939/32.png) [@ignatzmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ignatzmouse)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/94 "2001-01-14T23:49:36Z")
**I hate "eeeeeyyyyyyeeeeeeessssss!!"** What, are you spending a lot of time around Mr. Mooney? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/95 "2001-01-14T23:58:05Z")
I don’t know about the rest of you, but it bugs the hell out of me when some brain-dead marketing/sales sort starts talking about “leveraging” things. Last I heard, leverage was something you have or apply, not something you do! ---
**Author:** ![Seen\_to\_it\_already](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@Seen\_to\_it\_already](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seen_to_it_already)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/96 "2001-01-15T00:19:15Z")
I don’t like it when people verb a noun. ---
**Author:** ![kirk280980](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@kirk280980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk280980)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/97 "2001-01-15T19:54:45Z")
I can’t stand any of that all-pull-together type crap bosses use where I work. Constantly going on about “pooling our resources” and “making meaningful contributions to the team’s work strategy”, when, in reality, all the different departments where I work avoid each other like the plague. ---
**Author:** ![Pammipoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/87869e/32.png) [@Pammipoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pammipoo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2001, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/98 "2001-01-16T14:43:59Z")
Simple word I can handle seperately, but hate when combined… We Need you to work today These are usually heard around 8:30 AM , on my day off, while I’m happy and asleep…And of course I always say yes, because I need the money. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/99 "2001-01-16T15:25:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kirk280980 \* > \*\*I cringe when I hear someone refer to their butt as their “fanny”. Here in England, that word is slang for vagina. You can imagine my thoughts when I hear a woman saying, “Does my fanny look big in this dress?” \*\* I worked as a photographer in a theme-park and was nearly slapped for asking a woman to remove her ‘fanny pack’ (or as you folks call it a ‘bum bag’?), and doing so in front of her children. Back north, there is/was a candy shop called “Fannie Farmer” - glad she didn’t go there, probably would have blown up the place. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2001, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366/100 "2001-01-16T20:01:46Z")
‘Interface’. ‘Literally’. When used inappropriately, i.e. 95% of the time. ‘Stunning’. As invariably used by music industry to advertise some band’s crap new alum. ‘Hands-on’. ‘Resource’. As manager-speak for a person, “I can’t add that to the project, I don’t have a resource”. ‘100% certain’. As opposed to the other kind of certain? ‘Operative’. ‘Consultant’. As cosmetic descriptive enhancement to dead-end job. ‘Researcher’. As in someone who works for the TV company and made 3 phone calls to rent-a-quotes before compiling a 25 minute item on the economy. ‘Rap artist’. Michaelangelo was an artist. Mozart was an artist. Rappers are just uncouth loudmouths who can’t sing or make up songs. Drum machine + sampler + swearing does not equal artisty. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-i-cant-bear-to-hear/40366.md?page=6)