Words, usages, and phrases that annoy the shit out of you...

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Lately, "veggies" has been bugging the shit out of me... too flip, too Australian sounding. Also, "At the end of the day..." is being heavily abused by politicos... a new catch-phrase with no meaning.

Now, a small cadre of philistines in my office has been using the word "outreach" as a NOUN... "Were you able to establish some outreach with the printers?" etc.

What language abuses have been rubbing you raw lately?

― andy, Tuesday, 23 December 2003 22:18 (twenty-two years ago)

"TURN BACK YOU POXY FULE"

― TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY (deangulberry), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 22:35 (twenty-two years ago)

what?

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 22:36 (twenty-two years ago)

That seems like it'd be right up your alley, TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 22:36 (twenty-two years ago)

My friends got into saying "P-word" as a jokingly PC way of saying "pussy" .. i.e. - "so-and-so is a p-word." I tried to explain that it's a real pussy move to be afraid of saying pussy and hypocritical of anyone then to call anyone else a p-word. I think it fell on deaf ears.

― TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY (deangulberry), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 22:37 (twenty-two years ago)

my p hurts!

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 22:37 (twenty-two years ago)

If my dad wants to agree with something you've said, he says "This is true." It really, really gets me annoyed, for no other reason than overuse as far as I can think.

― caitlin (caitlin), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:21 (twenty-two years ago)

"Have a Cool Yule!" - I haven't actually heard this lately but because of the season I remembered this the other day and darkly mulled over its wankiness.

― Chriddof (Chriddof), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:26 (twenty-two years ago)

using "Cool Yule" seems like it should automatically warrant a knife in the face.

― El Santo Claus (Kingfish), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:36 (twenty-two years ago)

My father met Cheech Marin while drunk and got his autograph. My father is not the autograph type, but kept it because it is a small bar napkin that says "BE COOL FOOL, CHEECH." A man of few words, that Cheech.

― TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY (deangulberry), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I cant stand it when I hear someone say 'impactful' is that even a word? Impact is not a property, its created.

― bill stevens (bscrubbins), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:45 (twenty-two years ago)

It must say something about ILX that this is the most repeated topic of all time:

Four Words: Use Other Words Please
"Use other words please."
Commonly used phrases that inexplicably bug you
Most irritating cliche/phrase/expression
"Taking Things to a Whole `Nother Level!"
words that annoy
Words that should earn the author a slap
PROVERBIAL and other tip offs to poor writing

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm getting really pissed of with american interpretations of 'Liberal', 'Libertarian' and 'Conservative'

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I also get upset about "N-Word" as well. If you're using it in a critical context, people will understand that. If you're not, then you should have the conviction to let people hear it if you want to say it.

― TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY (deangulberry), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I hate "touch base" and "metrosexual"

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:55 (twenty-two years ago)

OH come on, let's touch bases.

― TEH ONE AN ONLEY DEANN GULBAREY (deangulberry), Tuesday, 23 December 2003 23:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, "metrosexual" is possible the lamest noun of the new millenia.

― andy, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Or is it an adjective? I don't know.

― andy, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:00 (twenty-two years ago)

If my dad wants to agree with something you've said, he says "This is true." It really, really gets me annoyed, for no other reason than overuse as far as I can think.

-- caitlin (wpsal...) (webmail), December 23rd, 2003. (caitlin)

Oh yes, yes yes. I second that one. And the people who say it, say it over and over.

― the music mole (colin s barrow), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:02 (twenty-two years ago)

But Ed, those words have different interpretations in almost every country in which they are used.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I blame the consolidation of global political power and the diminution of class mobility on people who write in the passive voice.

I also have a horror of people who write prolifically in all caps.

― felicity (felicity), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:07 (twenty-two years ago)

"It must say something about ILX that this is the most repeated topic of all time..."

This is true.

But, this is a topic that should be dealt with routinely and harshly... the only way we can correct the language and suppress it's organic growth is by exposing and banning every new usage as it occurs... Isn't that what the French do?

― andy, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Least favorite (mis)usage ever - "ON accident..." it's BY accident you fucking moron!!

Also: 'fridge,' girls who refer to each other as 'girl,' proactive...i'll be back when i think of more....

― roger adultery, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I know, oops, but still it pisses me off.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 00:54 (twenty-two years ago)

The recurrence of this topic is always accompanied by the recurrence of complaint about its recurrence.

― the music mole (colin s barrow), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 01:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Space. All this crap about needing space. Fuck off, then.

― Roderick the Visigoth. (Jake Proudlock), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 03:19 (twenty-two years ago)

All girls must now refer to one another as "guy"

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 03:30 (twenty-two years ago)

ok?

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Wednesday, 24 December 2003 03:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Using "Sexy" in a business environment that has nothing to do with sex. As in "this is a very sexy proposal for our company". Well, I guess, if ripping people off is what turns you on.

― BrianB (BrianB), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 05:26 (twenty-two years ago)

'exact same'.

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 20:47 (twenty-two years ago)

"bird" instead of "girl" or "woman". AAAAAARGH.

― Melly E (Melly E), Wednesday, 24 December 2003 21:10 (twenty-two years ago)

When people call each other 'babe' and the completely inappropriate use of the word 'literally'. Also can I add at this point, even if it may not be entirely relevant, the unjustifiable grammatical error in Rachael Stevens' song 'Sweet Dreams My LA Ex' : "accuse me of things I never done." And I've listened hard for "I've never done" to try and give her the benefit of the doubt but she doesn't say it.

― barbara wintergreen, Monday, 29 December 2003 18:24 (twenty-two years ago)

"Begging the question" and "chomping at the bit." The first is almost always used incorrectly, and the second should be "champing," Goddamn it.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Monday, 29 December 2003 20:18 (twenty-two years ago)

or "bits"

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 29 December 2003 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

'any way shape or form'. Most heard in full-media-glare denials of misdeeds. Used by dodgy sportsmen who have been 'coached' by their minders for the occasion. It immediately strips the first dozen layers of credibility from whatever statement is being made.

'poetic justice'. Used by the lazy to describe all 'justice' the speaker approves of, instead of a particular type. The adjective is rendered meaningless.

Agree re 'bird' for woman/girl, and lament its threatened return. Stinks of 'I'm being un-PC, where's my medal?'. Also the C-person uses it, which kinda ends the argument.

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Monday, 29 December 2003 23:59 (twenty-two years ago)

optics

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:00 (twenty-two years ago)

also photonic inplace of optic

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:10 (twenty-two years ago)

"the....(insert superlative)...in pop."

― barbara wintergreen, Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:19 (twenty-two years ago)

To return to the top of the thread, I still after 20 odd years gag on 'outreach' as a VERB....

― Fred Nerk (Fred Nerk), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:46 (twenty-two years ago)

the mightily empty "i could care less" variant on being unable to do the same

― ermes marana, Tuesday, 30 December 2003 01:47 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...

People who pronounce the word "presentation" as "PRE-sentation".

― J-rock (Julien Sandiford), Thursday, 18 August 2005 07:29 (twenty years ago)

since i was reading some VICIOUS anti- rachael ray sentiment last night and i'm still feelin' the love: "E.V.O.O. EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL"

― s/c (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 18 August 2005 07:32 (twenty years ago)

"YUM-O"

― s/c (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 18 August 2005 07:33 (twenty years ago)

cf.

― gear (gear), Thursday, 18 August 2005 07:34 (twenty years ago)

Also: 'fridge,'

Wait, huh? Fridge is the thing you put food in, whats wrong with it?

― Trayce (trayce), Thursday, 18 August 2005 08:01 (twenty years ago)

Saying "it impacted on me" instead of "it had an impact on me"... well that's annoying enough but, just recently, I've heard people say "it impacted me" - which surely would only make sense if the speaker was a molar?

― Diddyismus (Dada), Thursday, 18 August 2005 09:10 (twenty years ago)

'fridge,'

I'm picturing him saying things such as "Would you like me to remove another beverage from the refrigerator for you, whilst we watch some association football?"

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

bougie, instead of bourgeois. heard it four times last week.

― naus (Robert T), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:38 (twenty years ago)

"Chav"

― Diddyismus (Dada), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:39 (twenty years ago)

bourgie?

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 18 August 2005 10:42 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 12504 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

McWhorter (and Pinker) are examples of dudes who have written excellent books about linguistics and then... lost the plot in astonishing ways

― fluffy tufts university (f. hazel), Thursday, 18 June 2026 16:40 (two weeks ago)

Whereas Chomsky has held it together

― Scott Baiowulf (Ye Mad Puffin), Thursday, 18 June 2026 17:18 (two weeks ago)

a few months ago a friend of mine was talking about his least favorite Black public intellectuals— he is Black himself fwiw— and I asked about McWhorter, and he said “that Tom hasn’t ever been an intellectual” and we both cackled. (my friend is right)

― a tv star not a dirty computer man (the table is the table), Thursday, 18 June 2026 18:04 (two weeks ago)

McWhorter was a genuinely interesting, insightful & accessible linguistics writer, unlike Pinker who was always an egoist and a crank to some extent, and it's galling to see what a prick he is now.

― Here is the mentioned donkey, (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 18 June 2026 18:12 (two weeks ago)

Pinker was a popular teacher at a prestige university who started out with a few novel, minimally interesting ideas that excited his students to learn about linguistics which he then determinedly self-promoted into a reputation as a big thinker.

― more difficult than I look (Aimless), Thursday, 18 June 2026 18:45 (two weeks ago)

one of my tutors at university was in the same class as pinker and told me that he was like this even as an undergraduate

― Here is the mentioned donkey, (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 18 June 2026 18:49 (two weeks ago)

actually this was 2008 so I think she was the first person to tell me he was like this. she also advised against reading his books and said that Jackendoff was much better and covered the same ground

― Here is the mentioned donkey, (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 18 June 2026 18:51 (two weeks ago)

i am so smart i only like unpopular intellectuals— i call them Oxy-Morons

― just what is it that you think the "ilxor algorithm" directs? (Hunt3r), Thursday, 18 June 2026 23:13 (two weeks ago)

Jackenidoff

― shaking babies (map), Thursday, 18 June 2026 23:50 (two weeks ago)

"addicting" in place of "addictive"

― massaman gai (front tea for two), Friday, 19 June 2026 03:15 (two weeks ago)

oh yes

― Wichita Referee's Assistant (darraghmac), Friday, 19 June 2026 06:22 (two weeks ago)

The New Yorker
‪@newyorker_com‬
J. D. Vance’s second memoir, “Communion,” tells the story of his decision to become Catholic, but it’s strangely distasteful of the faith he has joined.

happily since changed to 'disdainful'

― mookieproof, Saturday, 20 June 2026 02:25 (two weeks ago)

This is a good video

this guy is fine but i find it annoying that he mentions his phd in every video

― Cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria de Episcopio, Saturday, 20 June 2026 02:51 (two weeks ago)

It's a perennial, but adult baby-talk trying to sound cool and hip with the kids: "smol", "chonky" etc. Involuntarily clenches my teeth and fists.

― assert (matttkkkk), Sunday, 21 June 2026 22:41 (one week ago)

And "hungy" for "hungry"

― Hideous Lump, Sunday, 21 June 2026 22:53 (one week ago)

https://media.tenor.com/mtOiOQnbLkkAAAAC/the-simpsons-homer.gif

― The Yellow Kid, Monday, 22 June 2026 00:30 (one week ago)

ugh I actually have some laundry capsules from a brand called smol

― kinder, Monday, 22 June 2026 18:51 (one week ago)

sounds like a danish lager

― Andy the Grasshopper, Monday, 22 June 2026 18:55 (one week ago)

"Weaponize." I'm watching some guy on TV talk about Hairspray, and how its relative wholesomeness was a contrast to John Waters' earlier films, where he was "weaponizing his prurience and dirtiness." I get what he's trying to say, but just because everybody else uses this stupid word, you don't need to jam it into your own relatively straightforward argument.

I hope I haven't weaponized my distaste for this word that annoys me.

― clemenza, Monday, 22 June 2026 21:33 (one week ago)

The US Navy tried to weaponize dolphins, but they failed. The NRA claims that nearly every object or substance in your household could conceivably be weaponized, so it makes no sense to ban guns, although guns never do need to be weaponized, as they are already weapons full time. In contrast, sticks and stones are notoriously easy to weaponize, but spend almost all their lives in perpetual weapon-latency. The more I think about the potential of all manner of non-weaponry to become weaponized, the less I want to think about the whole concept.

― more difficult than I look (Aimless), Monday, 22 June 2026 23:19 (one week ago)

I've been trying to weaponize my tennis racket, with mixed results thus far.

― clemenza, Monday, 22 June 2026 23:36 (one week ago)

I prefer to Martinize things

― Scott Baiowulf (Ye Mad Puffin), Monday, 22 June 2026 23:46 (one week ago)

Are you taking more than an hour? Bc martinizing only takes one hour if memory serves!

― Piggy Lepton (La Lechera), Tuesday, 23 June 2026 02:21 (one week ago)

I'm being a cranky old man about the current use of the word "plug" to refer to a drug dealer. I mean, it makes sense: connection, hook-up, plug. I get it. To me though, it just feels like the dumbest and ugliest of those words.

― peace, man, Wednesday, 24 June 2026 12:13 (one week ago)

De La Soul definition of plug is more fun

― fluffy tufts university (f. hazel), Wednesday, 24 June 2026 15:27 (one week ago)

They were known to deal dialect drugs tbf

― Cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria de Episcopio, Wednesday, 24 June 2026 16:46 (one week ago)

Foodways: decolonize your kitchen by learning about indigenous foodways

I have already complained about the redundancy of “pathways”
I have accepted “colorways”

― sarahell, Wednesday, 24 June 2026 18:40 (one week ago)

that isn't the most annoying part of that sentence to me

― rob, Wednesday, 24 June 2026 18:44 (one week ago)

not a phrase, but I can no longer take gifs of people pointing upward with the word "THIS" on them.

― I? not I! He! He! HIM! (akm), Saturday, 27 June 2026 00:23 (one week ago)

I just saw "colorways" two days ago and was so confused. I hate it.

― I? not I! He! He! HIM! (akm), Saturday, 27 June 2026 00:24 (one week ago)

some fuck did “broke contain” like 3x in an interview and now i gotta send drones to wipe him out

where do i hire drones

― just what is it that you think the "ilxor algorithm" directs? (Hunt3r), Saturday, 27 June 2026 01:59 (one week ago)

What does that mean?

― Piggy Lepton (La Lechera), Saturday, 27 June 2026 04:14 (one week ago)

Urban Dictionary: Broke Containment https://share.google/D4ssJlQXfzmtLRBuT

― If your ass is a Bible, 213 will regulate (Neanderthal), Saturday, 27 June 2026 04:32 (one week ago)

this was def only “contain” lol. similar feel to the manner by which “compute” is nounified now.

i overreacted i suppose

― just what is it that you think the "ilxor algorithm" directs? (Hunt3r), Saturday, 27 June 2026 08:16 (one week ago)

just heard 'adult beverage' and it still fucking sucks, don't say it

― Andy the Grasshopper, Monday, 29 June 2026 21:32 (five days ago)

how about “daddy/mommy juice”?

― Illegal Algae (Boring, Maryland), Monday, 29 June 2026 21:53 (five days ago)

I'll reach for a handgun

― Andy the Grasshopper, Monday, 29 June 2026 21:54 (five days ago)

🤯🤯🤯

― einstürzende louboutin (suzy), Monday, 29 June 2026 21:55 (five days ago)

okay maybe not a firearm but I will furrow my brow

― Andy the Grasshopper, Monday, 29 June 2026 22:00 (five days ago)

That's when I reach for my thesaurus

― Cattedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria de Episcopio, Monday, 29 June 2026 22:24 (five days ago)

This a work-specific one but using the verb "ship" to mean deploying changes to an online platform. Ie "Looks good. Ship it." Shuttttt uuuuup.

― Ima Gardener (in orbit), Monday, 29 June 2026 22:26 (five days ago)

Have "take a knee" and "bend the knee" been common set phrases forever (just not familiar to me)? Or have they been on the rise in the last few years?

FWIW I don't think I heard the first until BLM, nor the second until Game of Thrones. Now both seem to be widespread.

― Scott Baiowulf (Ye Mad Puffin), Monday, 29 June 2026 23:08 (five days ago)

Just saw "break contain" in the wild (on Bluesky)

― jaymc, Monday, 29 June 2026 23:42 (five days ago)

flopping to mean diving

― Wichita Referee's Assistant (darraghmac), Monday, 29 June 2026 23:47 (five days ago)

YMP: There are a few definitions of "take a knee."

But it's been used in sports (especially football) contexts for over 50 years to mean to kneel in a group setting (as for a pep talk) or simply to take a rest: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=34671

(I remember a guy in my college improv group in the '90s playing a coach character, which he would establish by starting a scene with "Fellas, take a knee.")

― jaymc, Monday, 29 June 2026 23:58 (five days ago)

Bend the knee has been around for a very long time, as a gesture of fealty. Taking a knee is related to American football, usually where the outcome of the game is certain, and neither team is contesting it any more, but some time has to be run off the game clock for the game to end officially. The connotation is "no point in further effort, this is over".

― more difficult than I look (Aimless), Tuesday, 30 June 2026 00:03 (four days ago)

"If you knew anything about <topic>, you'd know...."

― If your ass is a Bible, 213 will regulate (Neanderthal), Thursday, 2 July 2026 16:17 (two days ago)

And its cousin "Tell me you don't know anything about ___ without telling me" etc

― Scott Baiowulf (Ye Mad Puffin), Thursday, 2 July 2026 16:37 (two days ago)

Omg yes

― If your ass is a Bible, 213 will regulate (Neanderthal), Thursday, 2 July 2026 16:43 (two days ago)

absolutely true sentiments. which shall never be spoken imo.

instead you spend 10% of your conscious life trying gently to soak your valuable listeners into this awareness.

― just what is it that you think the "ilxor algorithm" directs? (Hunt3r), Thursday, 2 July 2026 21:53 (two days ago)

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