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Post by Jane on Dec 13, 2006 16:21:34 GMT -5
It's time for end-of-the-year lists. AOL is asking what the most irritating buzzword of the year is. They suggest "let's take this offline," bubble" (as in "housing bubble"), "synergy" or "Web 2.0" (which I don't even get).
Personally, I have heard about enough of "baby bump" to describe pregnant celebrities.
These are old, but "touch base" affects me about the same way fingernails on the blackboard do. Also "just a heads up" and "good to go." Enough already!
What's on your list?
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Post by joew on Dec 13, 2006 18:43:14 GMT -5
Never heard "baby bump" until just now, and has instantly vaulted to the top of the list.
You know, "you know" is in the Hall of Fame of all time irritating phrases, but only when used at least once in every three sentences. OTOH, "Don'cha know" is kinda fun. And I don't mind getting a heads up.
I could do without "peeps."
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Post by gailkate on Dec 13, 2006 19:06:19 GMT -5
These aren't brand new either. (I don't think I'm hip enough to know all the up-to-the-minute expressions.) at the end of the day gone missing weigh in (used to be perfectly good, now overdone) * * * * *can't help it, these belong here stay the course cut and run
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Post by booklady on Dec 13, 2006 20:05:41 GMT -5
I recently found out that I have used "Here's the deal" when preparing to yell at students. I was unaware that I was saying it.
And that makes us even, because they say "like" at least, like, seven times in every sentence, and they don't know they're saying it.
Anything Tim McCarver says fits into this category, too.
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Post by liriodendron on Dec 13, 2006 20:56:13 GMT -5
I could do without "peeps." Not at Eastertime!
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Post by SeattleDan on Dec 14, 2006 14:15:38 GMT -5
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Post by gailkate on Dec 14, 2006 16:38:23 GMT -5
Excellent, Dan, thank you! and for some reason, that brought to mind my #1 irritating word for this year, made so particularly because it was a fine word: disingenuous It was a word, if you will, with a particular nuanced meaning
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Post by Tillie on Dec 14, 2006 18:54:28 GMT -5
parody
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rmn
Sleepy Member
Posts: 75
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Post by rmn on Dec 14, 2006 22:10:27 GMT -5
I do my best to avoid the cut and pastes, but this is best left as is. I found this very amusing.
RMN
Lake Superior State University 2006 List of Banished Words
SURREAL – One part opiate of the masses, 13 parts overuse. Oddly, news anchor and television small talk is becoming more surreal. “Dreams are surreal, not daily adjectives.” – Tracy from Murray, Ky.
HUNKER DOWN – To brace oneself, in anticipation of media onslaught. Trotted out in reports about everything from politics to hurricanes. “I have a hankering to ban all of this hunkering.” – Kate Rabe Forgach, Fort Collins, Colo.
PERSON OF INTEREST – Found within the context of legal commentary, but seldom encountered at cocktail parties. “People with guns want to talk with you.” – Melissa Carroll from Greensboro, NC. “Does this mean the rest of us are too boring to deal with?” – Patricia Johnson from Mechanicsville, Va.
COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS – A five-dollar phrase on a nickel-errand. Value-added into many higher education mission statements. “Not to be confused with ‘school.'” – Jim Howard from Mishawa, Ind.
UP OR DOWN VOTE – A casualty of today's partisanship. No discussion on this one; the committee just tossed a coin. “I see a bright future for ex-senators as elevator operators.” — Allan Dregseth, Fargo, ND.
BREAKING NEWS – Once it stopped presses. Now it's a lower-intestinal condition brought about by eating dinner during newscasts. “Now they have to interrupt my supper to tell me that Katie Holmes is pregnant.” — Michael Raczko, Swanton, Ohio.
DESIGNER BREED – Many nominators consider this a bastardization of dog breeding. It may be a good line to use on angry neighbors when an un-neutered dog escapes. “When you mate a miniature schnauzer to a toy poodle, it's not a ‘Schnoodle,' it's a mongrel.” – George Bullerjahn, Bowling Green, Ohio.
FEMA – Dedicated to the memory of a great federal agency consigned to the ash heap of parody. “If they don't do anything, we don't need their acronym.” – Josh Hamilton, Tucson, Ariz.
FIRST-TIME CALLER – Preamble often heard on talk radio. “I am serious in asking: who in any universe gives a care?” – Miguel McCormick, Orlando, Fla.
PASS THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU! – Marketing catch phrase that became a lost-leader long ago. “Read: Pass the markup along to you.” – C. W. Estes, Roanoke, Tex.
97% FAT FREE – Adventures in delusion. “Still has 3% fat . . . accept it.” – Andrew Clucas, Canberra, Australia.
AN ACCIDENT THAT DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN – Best-laid mayhem. “This means some accidents need to happen, for whatever reason, I can't figure.” — Thomas Price, Orlando, Fla.
JUNK SCIENCE – Banished from the Marketplace of Ideas. “It's not scientists who are using this phrase so much as the people who practice junk politics.” – Ron LaLonde, Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada.
GIT-ER-DONE – (Any of its variations) It's overdone. “There's no escaping it. It's everywhere, from TV to T-shirts,” says Amanda Tikkanen of LaGrange, Ind. “Please tell me when we're done with this one.”
DAWG – No designer breed here. Someone should wash out this Spot. “Even parents are starting to use it!” – complains Mrs. Swartz's Fifth Grade Class in Church Road, Va. “This is species confusion.” – Rob Bowers, Santa Clara, Calif. “Don't call me ‘dawg'! I'm not your pet!” – Michael Swartz, Albuquerque, NM.
TALKING POINTS – Cover your ears! “Topics which will please those you want to impress.” – Michele Mooney, Van Nuys, Calif. Joe Wonsetler of Swanton, Ohio, believes the phrase was created after PR staffers stopped attending seminars on how to put a positive ‘spin' on their press releases.
HOLIDAY TREE – Many salvoes were fired during this past season's “war on Christmas.” At the risk of jumping into the breach, the committee feels that “Holiday tree” is a silly name for what most folks hold as a Christmas tree, no matter your preference of religion. Thank goodness we all agree on the first day of winter.
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Post by joew on Dec 14, 2006 22:57:22 GMT -5
… HOLIDAY TREE – Many salvoes were fired during this past season's “war on Christmas.” At the risk of jumping into the breach, the committee feels that “Holiday tree” is a silly name for what most folks hold as a Christmas tree, no matter your preference of religion. Thank goodness we all agree on the first day of winter. When I was in high school some of my Jewish classmates used to talk in December about their "Hannukah bush." Being slow on the uptake, I only realized years later that if I had had a chance to see one, I could not have told the difference between it and a Christmas tree (unless by examining the ornaments carefully).
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Post by Tillie on Dec 14, 2006 23:03:01 GMT -5
Ohhh! R, I ran the gamut of laughter from smile, to giggle, laugh-out-loud, ouch funny, side-splitting, to practically rolling in the aisle! Thanks!
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Post by SeattleDan on Dec 15, 2006 0:06:31 GMT -5
rmn's list reminds me of two phrases I've come to loathe: 1. cut and run; 2. Stay the course.
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Post by SeattleDan on Dec 15, 2006 0:07:32 GMT -5
And now I see gail has already covered those.
Let me thunderously echo her disdain.
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Post by mike on Dec 15, 2006 3:18:44 GMT -5
I don't like:
Win-win situation - If there is no loser, we're on the same team; in which case there is one win to many.
Paris Hilton - Two perfectly fine words until you put them together.
Whatever - As a response, this is the worst.
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Post by ptcaffey on Dec 15, 2006 4:44:07 GMT -5
Endoplasmic reticulum. Enough already with the reticulum! I don't want to hear sarcoplasmic reticulum either.
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Post by mike on Dec 15, 2006 6:58:10 GMT -5
Celebutant
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Post by brutus on Dec 15, 2006 7:10:52 GMT -5
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Post by jspnrvr on Dec 15, 2006 7:11:30 GMT -5
I agree, Mike, about "whatever"; it's essentially "f--- you". I'm so over it.
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Post by juliastar on Dec 15, 2006 8:00:48 GMT -5
I'm not sure "whatever" is a this year's word. I use it very infrequently but find it very appropriate on certain occasions.
A book I consulted when my oldest was going through a teenage phase, Choices and Consequences by Dick Schaefer, suggests that there are times in life when engaging is not a good alternative and can be avoided by the following technique credited to Tom Alibrandi. I found it highly effective:
When you are being baited by someone playing games, there are five responses that put a halt to it: yes, no, oh really, wow, and whatever.
Here is the example out of the spiral:
Let's say you've set a 9:30 p.m. school-night curfew for your high school sophomore son. One night he asks, "Do I really have to be in at 9:30 tonight?"
You answer, "Yes."
He presses it. "Can't I stay out until 10:30? Everybody else does!"
You answer, "No." At this point you might add, "That's the rule." Don't say it more than once, however; repetition consitutes nagging and provoking.
Now, if your son accepts the rule, he'll stop there. [Son number two]. More than likely, though, he'll go on to test you to see if you really mean it. [Son number one].
Here's where the verbal games escalate into three distinct levels:
* First-degree verbal games: Comparison Time * Second-degree verbal games: Verbal Assault Time * Third-degree verbal games: Go-For-The-Jugular Time
Comparison Time goes something like this: "All the other parents let their kids stay out until 10:30! You're the only one who doesn't!"
The common parental response to this game is anger. You aren't like other parents, and you don't want to be like other parents. But instead of saying so, just answer, "Oh, really?" This will help keep you from being a Provoker.
Verbal Assault Time goes something like this: "This place sucks!"
The common parental response to this game is hurt feelings. Why can't your teenager appreciate all your years of hard work and sacrifice? But instead of giving a lecture, just answer, "Wow!" This will keep you from being a victim.
Go-For-The-Jugular Time goes something like this: "I'm going to do what I want, and you can't stop me. I'm going to stay out as long as I want. I might even get into some trouble. the police will pick me up and throw me in jail. You'll have tot come down to the sttion to gt me out and then we'll have to go to court. It could even hit the newspapers. The neighbors will talk. Then you'll be sorry."
The common parental response to this game is guilt. What did you do to cause your teenager to develop such an attitude? Where did you go wrong? You must have failed as a parent! But instead of pulling on your hair shirt, just answer, "Whatever." This will keep you from being a Rescuer.
Repeat these little words and phrases to yourself: Yes, no, oh really, wow, whatever. Commit them to memory. Use them. They work!
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Post by brutus on Dec 15, 2006 8:36:58 GMT -5
:oWOW!!!
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Post by gailkate on Dec 15, 2006 10:01:27 GMT -5
You've all been entertaining and stimulating. I love this thread and I love some of Jay's gems, especially "community of learners." Well, abuse of surreal ranks right up there, usually used by people who've never experienced or appreciated anything remotely surreal.
But aren't we all impressed with Dan's new coinage? [shadow=red,left,300]thunderously echo[/shadow]
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Post by Trusty on Dec 15, 2006 11:36:02 GMT -5
Thanks, j*. All of this stuff is great. (Seems like nobody has a problem with "No problem", even though we may have to "think outside the box". ;D)
Just HAVE to include the following. It shouldn't get us off point TOO much: ------------ BS Bingo
This is for all you folks who are still stuck in the 9 to 5 routine....
Do you keep falling asleep in meetings and seminars? What about those long and boring conference calls? Here's a way to change all of that!
1. Before (or during) your next meeting, seminar, or conference call, prepare your "Bullthit Bingo" card by drawing a square - I find that 5" x 5" is a good size - and dividing it into columns - five across and five down. That will give you 25 1-inch blocks.
2. Write one of the following words/phrases in each block:
At The End Of The Day, Ballpark, Benchmark, Best Practice, Bottom Line, Client Focus(ed), Core Competencies, Empower (or Empowerment), Fast Track, Game Plan, Knowledge Base, Leverage, Mindset, Out Of The Loop, Proactive, Result-Driven, Revisit, Strategic Fit, Synergy, Take That Off-Line, Think Outside The Box, Touch Base, 24/7, Value-Added, Win-Win
3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.
4. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, stand up and shout "BULLTHIT!"
Testimonials from satisfied "Bullshit Bingo" players:
"I had been in the meeting for only five minutes when I won!" - Jack W., Boston
"My attention span at meetings has improved dramatically!" - David D., Florida
"What a gas! Meetings will never be the same for me after my first win!" -Bill R., New York City
"The atmosphere was tense in the last process meeting as 14 of us waited for the fifth box!" - Ben G., Denver
"The speaker was stunned as eight of us screamed "BULLTHIT!" for the third time in two hours!" - Kathleen H., Atlanta
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Post by Trusty on Dec 15, 2006 11:39:38 GMT -5
Woah. I diidn't change one s to a t. I can't help it; the word "thit" is just too darned funny!
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Post by joew on Dec 15, 2006 11:59:25 GMT -5
25 winners in one post! Good going, Trusty.
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Post by Jane on Dec 15, 2006 12:23:51 GMT -5
I work with a guy who uses the expression "feelin' the love" constantly. "We're feelin' the love from the students. We're feelin' the love from marketing. I'm feelin' the love for this brochure."
Soon, I will kill him, and then I will never, ever have to hear that expression again.
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Post by brutus on Dec 15, 2006 15:24:38 GMT -5
I work with a guy who uses the expression "feelin' the love" constantly. "We're feelin' the love from the students. We're feelin' the love from marketing. I'm feelin' the love for this brochure." Soon, I will kill him, and then I will never, ever have to hear that expression again. He sure as h*ll won't be feelin' any love from you, that's fer sure!!!
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Post by mike on Dec 15, 2006 15:46:35 GMT -5
Jay: //I'm not sure "whatever" is a this year's word.//
Please forgive me, Jay, I'm a few years behind you. Your re-runs are my first-runs. I just started getting Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on cable TV this year.
Happy Holidays, Mike
P.S. Psst, Brutus, was that you I saw getting the make-over on Queer Eye last week?
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Post by brutus on Dec 15, 2006 15:57:53 GMT -5
::)Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............I...I........I...certainly hope not!
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Post by mike on Dec 15, 2006 17:57:05 GMT -5
But aren't we all impressed with Dan's new coinage? [shadow=red,left,300]thunderously echo[/shadow] Yep, it's right up there with [shadow=red,left,300]Shock & Awe[/shadow]
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Post by juliastar on Dec 15, 2006 19:00:24 GMT -5
Jay: //I'm not sure "whatever" is a this year's word.// Please forgive me, Jay, I'm a few years behind you. Your re-runs are my first-runs. I just started getting Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on cable TV this year. No problem.
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