# Words that you can't bear to hear used in certain contexts? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486 "2005-11-10T23:01:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ins\_Outs\_What-have-yous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8797f3/32.png) [@Ins\_Outs\_What-have-yous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ins_Outs_What-have-yous)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/41 "2005-11-12T21:05:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Some scientists or instructor describes It also irks me when I don’t preview…o well ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/42 "2005-11-12T22:15:16Z")
> [@](#): > > I hate the terms “associate” and “team member,” but only when they’re used in place of the word “employee.” Typically you’ll see this in major chain stores, where the door leading into the back rooms will have a sign saying “Best Buy associates only,” or the manager will announce a special deal and then tell you to see see one of the Target team members for further details. > > When did “employee” become a vulgar word that needs euphemisms? I was reading a pit thread the other day about Target’s employees where the participants kept referring to them as “associates”; it was pretty annoying. > [@](#): > > “Closure”…sorry, but they are still dead. I can’t believe that I forgot this one. Another one that makes me cringe. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/43 "2005-11-12T22:46:15Z")
> [@A.R. Cane](#): > > Gourmet and showcase are nouns, period. > [@](#): > > Remember, my boy, as long as you live > That Gourmet is not an adjective. > Heed my advice and take to your heels > from the place that boasts of “Gourmet Meals.” Another one from business: Value-added, used with a vague and tangential relationship to the actual economic concept. Example: We take a value-added full-service approach to your property maintenance needs. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/44 "2005-11-12T23:40:46Z")
The word physicality when used in a sports context. For example, “The new NHL rules have taken all the physicality out of the game.” I hate that word. And I third “utilize”. Every time TSN’s Pierre McGuire uses it I cringe. Oh, and using the word “literally” to emphasize something. Stop using the word to mean the exact opposite of it’s definition! ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/45 "2005-11-13T00:36:38Z")
I hate all of the following terms when used in reference to homosexuality, some because they are nauseatingly euphemistic, and others because they usually refer to falsehoods. partner life partner domestic partner lifestyle agenda choice natural ex-gay civil union probably more I can’t think of Why is it that when you are given some information and expected to answer a question in any class other than math, it’s a question, but in math, it’s a _problem_? Maybe people wouldn’t be so afraid of math if we stopped implying that everything in math is a problem. Speaking of that, I don’t think we even need to go into imply/infer right now, do we? ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/46 "2005-11-13T08:53:37Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > If you mean absinthe, say it not absannnnnn[nasal n, drop the ‘t’] Tell whomever is saying it this way that he is wrong anyway. The “t” would still be pronounced. (Hard “t” sound, though, ignore the “h”.) ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/47 "2005-11-13T11:35:10Z")
> [@Rebekkah](#): > > “rape” used out of context, only because I had a friend who was raped and she sensitized me to the issue… > > As in: “X Company rapes the environment”, “I was raped” in place of “I was ripped off”… ad naseum A similar peeve of mine: using ‘incestuous’ to describe anything that does not actually involve sexual relations between people who are related to each other. A colleague of mine was speaking the other day about the crossover between various mental health agencies in the area, and she described it as “incestuous”. This is a woman who used to be a counselor for sexual offenders, too, and really should know better. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/48 "2005-11-13T12:18:13Z")
It’s _wash cloth_ not _worsh cloth_! It’s _idea_ not \* ideal\* (As in I got a good ideal) fuck buddy. _shudders_ Or hell the word “buddy” in general pisses me off. And anything that people will put the word “poo” at the end of it to make it sound more “cutesy”. Like “Linky-poo” for some of my fellow Dopers out there. ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/49 "2005-11-13T20:25:18Z")
liaise, when followed by “with”. Actually, I hate the word at the best of times. mm ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/50 "2005-11-13T20:43:29Z")
Where did people get the idea to replace “say” with “indicate”? I edited other people’s writing in the last place I worked, and got this all the time. “The prisoner then indicated he was innocent.” What’s wrong with “said,” Einstein? If you think that using 3-syllable Latin words makes you look smarter, I’m sorry, you do not fool any real smart people. (Look at all those one-syllable Anglo-Saxon words I use, and I’m known to be quite smart.) ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/51 "2005-11-13T22:03:07Z")
> [@Licentious Ectomorph](#): > > “Quality” is not a damned adjective. It’s used all the time to mean “good” or “excellent,” as in “a quality car” or “a quality doctor” and it irks the bejeezus out of me. Quality can be good or bad or anywhere in between; it needs to be qualified. Saying “This is a quality cup of coffee” is as meaningless as saying “This coffee is very temperature.” > > I knew the battle was lost a few years ago when my roommate, who was studying to be a teacher, had a textbook titled “Quality Learning Initiatives.” If academia is capitulating to stupidity, there’s no hope. That’s funny because [Webster](http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/quality) seems to disagree. These dictionaries [must](http://www.thefreedictionary.com/quality) [be](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=quality) [wrong](http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/q/q0013000.html) too. > [@trublmakr](#): > > Fetish. > > A fetish is something that you _need_ in order to become aroused. It’s not just anything that you enjoy. Wrong again. A fetish doesn’t need to be something having to do with arousal. > [@Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary](#): > > **FETISH** > 1 a : an object (as a small stone carving of an animal) believed to have magical power to protect or aid its owner; broadly : a material object regarded with superstitious or extravagant trust or reverence b : **an object of irrational reverence or obsessive devotion** : PREPOSSESSION c : an object or bodily part whose real or fantasied presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification and that is an object of fixation to the extent that it may interfere with complete sexual expression > 2 : a rite or cult of fetish worshipers > 3 : **FIXATION** Please know what you are talking about before you castigate others. Here’s another [link](http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/f/f0092900.html) in case you weren’t convinced. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/52 "2005-11-13T22:23:54Z")
I hate the word **marathon** when its used as a synonym for long. Like “The NHL player union and team owners ended marathon talks about the future of the league.” Really? They spoke to each other while running a 26 mile, 385 yard foot race? ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/53 "2005-11-13T23:21:51Z")
Sorry, **brickbacon** , I should have qualified: The term ‘fetish’ in it’s sexual context means “an object or bodily part whose real or fantasized presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification”, and when I hear someone use the term ‘fetish’ in it’s sexual context, when they are actually speaking of an interest or sometime kink they have, but that’s _not_ necessary for sexual gratification, then that irks me. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/54 "2005-11-14T00:23:21Z")
> [@trublmakr](#): > > Sorry, **brickbacon** , I should have qualified: The term ‘fetish’ in it’s sexual context means “an object or bodily part whose real or fantasized presence is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification”, and when I hear someone use the term ‘fetish’ in it’s sexual context, when they are actually speaking of an interest or sometime kink they have, but that’s _not_ necessary for sexual gratification, then that irks me. Fair enough. My apologies if I misunderstood. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/55 "2005-11-14T02:03:00Z")
So to speak. In so many words. At this point in time. Irregardless. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/56 "2005-11-14T02:08:11Z")
> [@ArchitectChore](#): > > Or, some jerk uses one of those terms as part of a message board username… 😃 It sucks doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Ins\_Outs\_What-have-yous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8797f3/32.png) [@Ins\_Outs\_What-have-yous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ins_Outs_What-have-yous)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/57 "2005-11-14T03:28:51Z")
> [@](#): > > It sucks doesn’t it? Yes, but I somehow am able to cope. 🙂 > [@](#): > > Irregardless. :mad: Sorry, but this string of 12 letters does not even deserve to be mentioned in this thread. The OP asks for ‘ **words** that you can’t bear to hear used in certain contexts?’ So, there are two problems here: 1. ‘Irregardless’ isn’t a word. 2. ‘Irregardless’ does not have a proper place in ANY context. > [@](#): > > So to speak. > > In so many words. > > At this point in time. I’m assuming you can’t bear to see these terms regardless of the context. I singled out the post by **E = mc²** , but several other posts in this thread also fall short of specifying a certain context. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/58 "2005-11-14T04:52:19Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#): > > Recommend _me_ a graduate school to attend. :rolleyes: Why the rolleyes? There’s nothing wrong grammatically with that sentence. “Me” can be an indirect object of a transitive verb. It’s the survival of the Old English dative case. It doesn’t have a distinct form any more so it’s harder to recognize as the dative case. It’s the same as in “Send me a letter.” The meaning of the dative pronoun is “to me” or “for me.” > [@](#): > > Mispronunciation of “coup de grace.” According to two sources, it should be pronounced graz, not grah. Can anyone verify? Both wrong. The /s/ sound in French _grâce_ is unvoiced. Like in “grass” (the same /s/ sound as in grass, but the vowel is different.) Grahs. When Americans drop a final French consonant sound that’s actually pronounced in French, it’s called “hypercorrection.” How many times have you heard Americans say “Vichyssoi…” instead of “Vichyssoise”? Practically every time? > [@](#): > > “Normalize” relations with China. What the hell does that mean? It’s a normal English word used in international relations, no cause for calling down the infernal realm. It means to make normal diplomatic relations, you know, the ambassadors are at the embassies, you stamp each other’s visas, etc. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/59 "2005-11-14T11:34:53Z")
> [@ArchitectChore](#): > > Yes, but I somehow am able to cope. 🙂 > > :mad: Sorry, but this string of 12 letters does not even deserve to be mentioned in this thread. The OP asks for ‘ **words** that you can’t bear to hear used in certain contexts?’ So, there are two problems here: > > 1. ‘Irregardless’ isn’t a word. > > 2. ‘Irregardless’ does not have a proper place in ANY context. > > I’m assuming you can’t bear to see these terms regardless of the context. > > I singled out the post by **E = mc²** , but several other posts in this thread also fall short of specifying a certain context. Guess all of us offenders will have to say an Act of Contrition. :rolleyes: I would suggest, however, that you look before you lip, because according to Webster… Main Entry: ir·re·gard·less Pronunciation: "ir-i-'gärd-l&s Function: adverb Etymology: probably blend of irrespective and regardless nonstandard : REGARDLESS usage Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. **The most frequently repeated remark about it is that “there is no such word.” There is such a word, however.** It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead. (Bolding mine.) ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486/60 "2005-11-14T12:29:11Z")
> [@ArchitectChore](#): > > It annoys me personally to read and/or hear the terms “architecture” and “engineering” and their variants in certain contexts. > > Examples: > > Some scientists or instructor describes the “architecture of a molecule.” > > Or, some sports team coach/GM is the “architect” of a great team. > > Or, some quarterback “engineered” a great comeback. > > Or, some jerk uses one of those terms as part of a message board username… 😃 > > AC I have no problems with engineer and architect used in the contexts you mentioned, **ArchitectureChore**. Here’s that guy Webster, again: Main Entry: 1engineer Pronunciation: "en-j&-'nir Function: noun Etymology: alter. of earlier enginer, from Middle English, alteration of enginour, from Middle French engigneur, from Old French engignier to contrive, from engin 1 : a member of a military group devoted to engineering work 2 obsolete : a crafty schemer : PLOTTER 3 a : a designer or builder of engines b : a person who is trained in or follows as a profession a branch of engineering **c : a person who carries through an enterprise by skillful or artful contrivance** 4 : a person who runs or supervises an engine or an apparatus (My emphasis, again - above and below.) So, a QB could indeed engineer a great comeback — and be grammatically correct in the process. And how about architect? Webster tells us… Main Entry: architecture Pronunciation: 'är-k&-"tek-ch&r Function: noun 1 : the art or science of building; specifically : the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones 2 a : formation or construction as or as if as the result of conscious act \ **b : a unifying or coherent form or structure** \ 3 : architectural product or work 4 : a method or style of building 5 : the manner in which the components of a computer or computer system are organized and integrated Surely a molecule has architecture, thus satisfying 1b, above. And as much as I hate to think about it, Karl Rove is the architect of Dubya’s relection. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-you-cant-bear-to-hear-used-in-certain-contexts/330486.md?page=4)