# Words & phrases that need to be retired **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 2, 2000, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890 "2000-08-02T20:13:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Majordomo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@Majordomo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Majordomo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/41 "2000-08-04T03:07:34Z")
I’m done with these, which seem to be picked up by kids with limited vocabularies. They think every word they don’t understand is slang for some simple word. **narly** obviously someone didn’t know what gnarly meant, and then assumed when someone talked about “a gnarly wood dashboard” it just meant “cool”. **tubular** obviously someone didn’t know what tubular meant, and then assumed when someone said “it’s tubular steel” thought it just meant “strong”. **nimrod** is the dumbest of the lot, because someone obviously didn’t realize calling someone a nimrod was not an insult with a made-up word, but a non-pejorative real word. ---
**Author:** ![DavisMcDavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@DavisMcDavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavisMcDavis)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/42 "2000-08-04T03:23:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neutron star \* > \*\*A couple more : > > Let’s touch base (another wonderful, vomit inducing business phrase) > OFF TOPIC : Speaking of video stores, I like to sometimes go into Blockbuster and rearrange the employee favorites. For example, Employee Jill’s favorite movie used to be _Forest Gump_. Now it’s _Female Perversions_. Employee Bob used to like _The Godfather_ and _Easy Rider_. Now his favorites are _Son in Law_ and _Jury Duty_. Sometimes the movies go for weeks without being rearranged. It’s a blast! \*\* You’re my new best friend! I’ve always hated “touching base”, almost as much as being given a “heads up” PLUS that Blockbuster idea is the sort of thing one might normally respond to with ROFL - except I’ve recently started a campaign against that in the Pit - so instead I’ll say “I wish I had thought of that, that joke is so funny I’m going to be passing it off as my own quite soon.” Because I think I will if I can get away with it. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/43 "2000-08-04T03:25:02Z")
I forgot two. These aren’t faddish phrases like so many listed here, but are phrases I have never liked. **Be that as it may…** I never understood this one. It makes no sense to me. \*\*In and of itself.[b/] Again, I have never liked this phrase. It doesn’t make sense. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/44 "2000-08-04T03:26:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kinsey \* > \*\*\*\*In and of itself.[b/] > Again, I have never liked this phrase. It doesn’t make sense. \*\* Messed up my codes. My bad. ARRGGGHHHHHHHHH! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DavisMcDavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@DavisMcDavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavisMcDavis)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/45 "2000-08-04T03:28:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by obfusciatrist \* > \*\*Phil Agre at the [Red Rock Eater News Service](http://dlis.gseis.ucla.edu/people/pagre/rre.html) has come up with this list of words used by the press but by nobody else: > > So the list reads as follow: bolster, burgeon, cull, foster, garner, glean, hamper, hike, laud, mull, quell, revamp, sideline, stem, stymie, tout, underscore, vie, and voice. \*\* Also “snarky” and “natch”. Nobody ever says those, do they? ---
**Author:** ![DavisMcDavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@DavisMcDavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavisMcDavis)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/46 "2000-08-04T03:36:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kinsey \* > \*\*I forgot two. These aren’t faddish phrases like so many listed here, but are phrases I have never liked. > > **Be that as it may…** > I never understood this one. It makes no sense to me. > > \*\*In and of itself. > Again, I have never liked this phrase. It doesn’t make sense. \*\*\*\* Along those same lines, I think I was about 20 years old before I found out that it the phrase was not, in fact, “for all intensive purposes” but actually “for all intents and purposes”. Also, when I’d get up in the morning my father used to like to say something that I thought was “Up and Adam!”. I thought it was just a silly phrase he used until I finally realized [well into my college years] that what he was saying was “Up and at 'em!” Equally silly but at least it made a little more sense. ---
**Author:** ![DavisMcDavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@DavisMcDavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavisMcDavis)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/47 "2000-08-04T03:50:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dumb Ox \* > \*\*… grammatical errors repeated often enough start to sound right. > \*\* I like this thread! How about the consistent misuse of the word “myself” by just about everyone? That irritates the shit out of me. Example: “If you have any questions, just ask myself or Julie.” People are so afraid of saying “me” that they use “myself” just because it’s more whom-like or longer or something. Also - this is a bit more rare - the substitution of “wha’ happen?” for “excuse me”. This “happened” all the time at college while working the security desk of the dorm. Example: “Excuse me, sir, but do you have some ID?” “Wha’ happen?” “Nothing HAPPENED, I’m not going tell you a story or anything, I just need to see your student ID.” This is my fourth post in a row on this thread. I guess I should let someone else chime in… ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/48 "2000-08-04T03:55:48Z")
I agree with Dumb Ox that paradigm should go. Also, “I’ve got alot on my plate just now.” Well, scrape it off, toots. There’s work to do. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/49 "2000-08-04T05:11:09Z")
“Alot.” Since it’s not a word. It’s two words. A and lot. I see it more and more and more often, and it’s always wrong! ---
**Author:** ![kawliga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@kawliga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kawliga)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/50 "2000-08-04T07:38:46Z")
'nuff said. I see this one a little too often on these boards. ---
**Author:** ![Roppy\_Bork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9de053/32.png) [@Roppy\_Bork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roppy_Bork)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/51 "2000-08-04T09:02:54Z")
“Resource” as a verb makes me twitch. But what’s wrong with “utilise” and “facilitate”? They are good words that have been around for centuries. ---
**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:** [August 4, 2000, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/52 "2000-08-04T13:42:08Z")
Here, 24/7 has become 24/7/365. Enought already. And HUH? will always be my least favorite noise. It’s not a word; it sounds like you are trying to vomit. ---
**Author:** ![TheThill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheThill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheThill)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/53 "2000-08-04T14:29:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Annie-Xmas \* > \*\*Here, 24/7 has become 24/7/365. Enought already. > > And HUH? will always be my least favorite noise. > It’s not a word; it sounds like you are trying > to vomit. > > \*\* Agreed, especially in the way it’s used when it’s used to end a sentence. E.g.:“That was a pretty good meal, huh?” Just awful! ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/54 "2000-08-04T14:38:24Z")
_DavisMcDavis said:_ > [@](#): > > Along those same lines, I think I was about 20 years old before I found out that it the phrase was not, in fact, “for all intensive purposes” but actually “for all intents and purposes”. Thank God. I thought I was the only one. I’ve been too embarrassed to let anyone know. But now that I have proof of others I feel normal again. Maybe we could start a support group. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/55 "2000-08-04T14:49:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neutron star \* > Late last year, I read a syndicated column in the newspaper by a man whose name escapes me right now. I don’t know for sure what column you saw, but I’ll bet it was inspired by [Lake Superior State University’s Banished Word List](http://www.lssu.edu/banished/) (Their 2000 edition is [here,](http://www.lssu.edu/banished/2000.html) while the all-time list is located [here](http://www.lssu.edu/banished/banished.html)). They’ve been putting out an annual list for the past 25 years, and I almost always here a news item in connection with the release of the list. Of course, I’m from Michigan, so maybe it receives more coverage here. My personal nomination for banishment is: “the 'rents”, as in, “Dude! I’ve gotta talk to the 'rents about, like, raising my allowance so I can buy a new vocabulary.” Makes me literally cringe every time I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/56 "2000-08-04T15:02:55Z")
what is all this “empowering” going on? every time I hear the word I feel this impulse to reach for my gun. ---
**Author:** ![Endora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/22d042/32.png) [@Endora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Endora)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/57 "2000-08-04T15:53:06Z")
> [@](#): > > But just between you and I :eek:, I see just as many errors from people trying to be _ **too** _ correct. > \*\* I agree with you there. When people try to sound learned by using big words they don’t know, it irks me. Also, it takes a big man to quote Samuel Johnson. Really! However, for you to quote him in reference to truncating the English language is funny, since he left out so many words in his “Dictionary.” Hee-hee. ---
**Author:** ![Endora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/22d042/32.png) [@Endora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Endora)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/58 "2000-08-04T16:05:49Z")
_The conference centered around the topic…_ How can you center **around** something? _tuna fish_ Yes, tuna is a fish. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of sea creatures. _That is like, totally random._ This one is so bad that whenever I use the word random, no matter how appropriate the context, I cringe. I’m around colelge students all day, and I pick up a lot of bad habits. If I hear myself say “goes” instead of “said” one more time, I’m going to stop speaking. ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/59 "2000-08-04T16:15:43Z")
“bundled out” The only way to lose a tennis match, it seems, is to be bundled out in straight sets. ---
**Author:** ![Grendel69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7bcc69/32.png) [@Grendel69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grendel69)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890/60 "2000-08-04T16:17:20Z")
I agree with the vote to banish “empower”. What about using the word “impact” as a verb. Ugggghhhh! “…And in conclusion, this man impacted my life forever.” \ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-phrases-that-need-to-be-retired/27890.md?page=4)