 |
| Mice with feathers. A definite winner in Miss Oswin's books. |
I read a post today where they mentioned Lake Superior University's list of words and phrases that they would like to see banished due to overuse, misuse or general uselesness. Like 'So' at the beginning of every sentence; problematic; stakeholder; price point; manspreading and vape.
There are some words on that list that I have never even heard of (like vape) and others don't seem so problematic to me. There is however one word that I would love to see banished. Journey!
I feel that the word has been overused so much, it gives me the shivers every time I hear it. I don't mind the literal meaning: a journey from London to Manchester for example. By train or by bus or by car or if you're feeling up to it: by foot. It's the other meaning, the more floaty meaning that gets me grinding my teeth.
On Strictly Come Dancing they used the word so much. "It was a journey to get this far. We had to overcome trials and tribulations to get the paso doble to look like it was danced by original Spanish dancers instead of a professional and a left-footed clutz". Journey this and journey that.
Mind you, even I have been guilty of using the word in its floatier meaning. I am sorry. It will not happen again. At least I will try not to let it happen again. Because after all, I am only human.
I agree about the overuse of the word 'journey' especially on TV programmes especially the talent contest ones!
ReplyDeleteLove your take on the journey, your frosty picture and the cat's name.
ReplyDeleteOswin? She seems to be happy with it as well, so good all round!
DeleteOhhhhh Mara you don't even want get me started on the words that I hear used incorrectly and over used...but since you did. Here are a few of mine.
ReplyDeleteAwesome: is a wonderful descriptive word to be used for a truly amazing experience. It is not to be used for instance when I give a cashier correct change...they reply awesome.
Like: as in 'you know like when so and so happened'!
No Problem: as in when I say thank you but instead of 'you are welcomed' I get a 'no problem'!. Well dang if I had known it might have been a problem for you I would not have asked. What happened to a simple 'you are welcomed'!?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I feel better. LOL
I have not heard the over use of Journey here...but I expect it will come.
Hugs to you all
Cecilia
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteYou're onto something... my inner teeth grind horrifically when I hear some of the extended uses of language... generally as a result of folk not having a sufficient vocabulary in the first place, so grabbing the nearest contender! True, perfection is a goal and one still to be worked for by most of us, but best attempts at all time are always welcome.
...vape? I presume this is in reference to the use of electronic 'cigarettes'... which are being advertised heavily here in UK... "never mind smoking, all you bright young things, come join in the vaping crowd and poison yourself differently"...
Thanks for giving us gripe day! LOVE the new banner pic, BTW. YAM xx
I am always happy to please, in this case with a gripe day, which seems to get a lot of people on their high horses!
DeleteI just realize that I use "so" quite often ! Journey never.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of Miss Oswin...
ReplyDeleteWE are guilty of Poor Word Choices.
I have also been guilty of the "so" word...but have been trying to "cut back" :-).
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. We think the word hero is often misused and confused with the word victim. And the word literally is literally over used! As for vape, we think that is going to get even more common! FYI - It is like the word smoke is to cigarettes. One vapes their e-cigs.
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Everybody is a hero nowadays it seems. To be honest (and I will kick a lot of legs here), I feel that people that are deployed aren't necessarily heroes either. They have a job, they do their job. What's heroic about that? But those are my feelings and thoughts on the subject and a whole different discussion.
DeleteBy the way I like your header photo. I understand what you mean about that use of the word journey in that way!!! Vape are those pretend electronic cigarettes that are really not any better for you.
ReplyDeleteSo, I find that the blog journey has become quite problematic, but the price point suits me.
ReplyDelete