# Words you hate people using **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 28, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990 "2012-01-28T14:29:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/161 "2012-02-01T13:30:13Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Whatever happened to “courage”? Dan Rather killed it. ---
**Author:** ![jordanr2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@jordanr2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordanr2)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/162 "2012-02-01T13:30:52Z")
“Societal” or “comedic,” when one could so easily save a syllable by just saying “social” or “comic.” ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/163 "2012-02-01T13:38:43Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > I actually heard someone say “at the present moment in time” in a TV news report. That’d be even more fun if you’d recorded it and were watching it later. 🙂 > [@figure9](#): > > **Proactive-** This buzzword has always annoyed me. > > **Moot-** I often see this word used to mean the opposite of what it means. Here’s a brief description of the [migration of moot](http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-moo1.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/164 "2012-02-01T13:53:23Z")
> [@Incubus](#): > > **Nice** - When used to describe a person, I find ‘nice’ to be a very weak adjective. I guess because of the association of ‘nice’ guys, I find the word to be very two faced. On the surface people think “moderately good”, but i’ve found people use nice when they cant think of anything specific about the person they like or respect. Personally I believe the significance of a compliment is based on how specific it is. describing someone as ‘generous’ instead of just ‘nice’ for example. Nice is a watered-down, lukewarm tea of a word, a cheap, uncreative wedding gift, the trophy they give the last place competitor for ‘trying’. So, we should be required to put significant effort into our opinions about _everyone_? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/165 "2012-02-01T13:59:31Z")
If we are including odd pronunciations, I’ll offer “diary” when used to mean “diarrhea”. They also add “the”. “He had some bad clams, now he’s got the diary”. ??? ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/166 "2012-02-01T14:10:04Z")
> [@ptr2void](#): > > I am very annoyed by people using the word _utilize_ instead of _use_. Simply unnecessary. I came in to say just this. To “utilize” something is to use an object for a purpose other than which it was intended. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/167 "2012-02-01T14:42:36Z")
“Meltdown”. It’s an overused exaggeration. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/168 "2012-02-01T15:38:24Z")
Playdate. I don’t know why kids can’t just have friends over like they used to. Soulmate, of course, because it’s stupid. Grody is a really gross word. And I don’t know why, but I just hate when people say say figuratively that something “stinks”. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/169 "2012-02-01T16:01:31Z")
“Cute,” when referring to an adult, especially someone who isn’t in any way childlike. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/170 "2012-02-01T16:44:26Z")
I’m more bothered by people insisting that their selected definition of a word is the only appropriate one. “Transition” above is a good example. That is how language evolves. Take a noun, use it as a verb - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. To insist that a word only means what it did at some point in time is being a little (or a lot) pedantic. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/171 "2012-02-01T17:29:06Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > “Cute,” when referring to an adult, especially someone who isn’t in any way childlike. Having been recently engaged in an apartment hunt, I was intrigued by the number of ads on Craigslist that used the word “cute” to describe apartments. I came to the conclusion that there were two possible reasons for this: 1. The ad was placed by a woman. or 1. “Cute” is a code word that indicates the landlord will only accept female tenants. Because, seriously, how many men are looking for a “cute” apartment? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/172 "2012-02-01T17:42:17Z")
Here’s mine: I hate when people say “script” (or “scrip”) when they mean “prescription.” If you’re not an actor, you don’t have scripts, dammit. I freely admit this is irrational and unjustified (although no more so than some of the other things people have been posting in this thread, like “veggies” or “alum”). ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/173 "2012-02-02T01:05:31Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Having been recently engaged in an apartment hunt, I was intrigued by the number of ads on Craigslist that used the word “cute” to describe apartments. I came to the conclusion that there were two possible reasons for this: > > 1. The ad was placed by a woman. > > or > > 1. “Cute” is a code word that indicates the landlord will only accept female tenants. Because, seriously, how many men are looking for a “cute” apartment? In my experience “cute” means “tiny.” I was once looking for an apartment in NYC, and answered an ad for a “cute” apartment in the West Village. It turned out to be what was once the first floor hallway, converted to a long, very narrow apartment. A person with long legs could sit on the sofa and put his feet on the opposite wall. The kitchen and bathroom were similar to what you’d find in an airplane. The twin-sized bed took up the entire width of the bedroom, and you had to cross it to get to the bathroom. They wanted $1100/month, and that was 18 years ago. Cute, my ass. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/174 "2012-02-02T01:07:51Z")
“bro” I hate that word so much. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/175 "2012-02-02T01:15:13Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > I’m more bothered by people insisting that their selected definition of a word is the only appropriate one. “Transition” above is a good example. That is how language evolves. Take a noun, use it as a verb - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. To insist that a word only means what it did at some point in time is being a little (or a lot) pedantic. Of course . . . but it depends on whether there are already other words that fulfill the same purpose . . . especially when the new word has more syllables, for the purpose of making the speaker sound smart and important. That’s not evolution, that’s redundancy. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/176 "2012-02-02T02:52:11Z")
I use some of these words myself. For instance, I use “perfect” (post #117), not exactly in that way, but as an acknowledgement when given change from a cashier (“Your change is $1.68.” “Perfect, thank you very much.”) I’ll also say something “stinks,” (post #168) particularly someplace like work, because at work, I couch words since I think it’s unprofessional to say, “That wet fart of a movie was really shitty.” So I’ll say it stinks instead. My contribution is that people confuse defuse/diffuse. I used to work in a call center, and part of my job was to _defuse_ situations in which callers were upset. I noticed certain supervisors had a file called “diffused irate customers calls”. It made me wonder if the supervisor thought if the customer was pissed, everyone should be pissed. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/177 "2012-02-02T07:58:09Z")
“Instinctual” It should be “instinctive” but too many people refuse to admit it. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/178 "2012-02-02T11:43:17Z")
> [@colonial](#): > > This time, however, I think a :dubious: would be appropriate in response to Mr. Balthisar’s silly little snark. My intention wasn’t to be snarky. You see? If there’d been a proper smiley, you’d’ve known that. > [@](#): > > I _used_ the word “employed” instead of the word “used” only to avoid repetition. That’s the irony, though. “Utilize” is perfectly cromulent synonym for “employ” and “use.” I really do applaud your use of “employ” because (were it not for your “bullshit” remark) I’d’ve thought the irony deliberate. I wonder, though, why “employ” is a suitable tool for avoiding repetition and “utilize” is not? ---
**Author:** ![DanielBrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DanielBrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanielBrown)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/179 "2012-02-02T12:20:43Z")
I agree with "Literally” & "nice”. My additions are – “just”, "like”, "as in” “basically”, “I mean” & so many… ---
**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:** [February 2, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990/180 "2012-02-02T18:07:08Z")
> [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](#): > > My contribution is that people confuse defuse/diffuse. I used to work in a call center, and part of my job was to _defuse_ situations in which callers were upset. I noticed certain supervisors had a file called “diffused irate customers calls”. It made me wonder if the supervisor thought if the customer was pissed, everyone should be pissed. In the MMORPG City of Heroes, your superhero character can get a mission where one of the objectives is to “diffuse the bombs”. It’s been snarkily mentioned several times on the official forums, but hasn’t been fixed 😃 Actually, I think bombs do a pretty good job of diffusing themselves, should you fail to defuse them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-you-hate-people-using/610990.md?page=10)