Being somewhat of a writer and lover of words, I was very interested
on a recent night when a noted news commentator at the end of his
show---in a semi-benevolently way, with some humor---but slightly
chapped---said: "There is one expression I hope I never hear again,
ever, in my life---it is 'at the end of the day.' "
I well-remember the first time I heard it...maybe twenty-five years
ago and it was from a military Britisher, discussing an old
campaign. I thought it was really a "cool" expression...at the time.
This news person set me to thinking of annoying expressions that
we today hear over and over, ad nauseum---ones that need to be
dumped. I made a quick list of my own frustrations in my Daily Lett's
of London Journal, which rests beside my Lazy Boy---for later
reference...
But before I give you MY list, on a hunch I googled and found other
lists. It will be instructive to peruse them first.
OXFORD LIST OF TOP TEN ANNOYING EXPRESSIONS...
--------------------
1. At the end of the day
2. Fairly unique
3. I, personally
4. At this moment in time
5. With all due respect
6. Absolutely
7. It's a nightmare
8. Shouldn't of
9. 24/7
10. It's not rocket science
ANOTHER "ANNOYING" LIST FROM GOOGLE
--------------
1. It's counterproductive
2. On task
3. Can't even
4.Thanks for the heads up
5. Like, you know
6. My bad
7. Absolutely
8. Just sayin'
9. Awesome
One source disliked "With all due respect," just before you "lay
somebody out" with your reply.
He also disliked "proactive," "Not unlike," "We service our
customers" rather than "We serve our customers." Another
expression he did not particularly care for was sort of setting
an interviewee up with the reply: Are you SUGGESTING?"
Most of you readers will have a list of your own to share with
us. Here's mine:
MIL'S TIRING LIST:
********************
1. "At that point in time..." from WATERGATE times, so incredibly
thru with this one...when else would anything occur...but
"in time..." ?
2. "What goes around, comes around."
3. "Everything happens for a reason." It is personal but I intensely
disagree with this popular one.
4. "9/11" How did we get this? Why not 12/7 for Pearl Harbor?
5. "Frankly..." And "Very frankly..." Unnecessary words, which
show lack of skill. The new press secretary used "very frankly"
three times in one interview, but maybe he has been tipped off
by now...
show lack of skill. The new press secretary used "very frankly"
three times in one interview, but maybe he has been tipped off
by now...
6. 24/7 is much overused.
7. "Tell us in your own words..." To end with a touch of humor--
In a SEINFELD episode, in a courtroom Newman was the
interrogating lawyer questioning Kramer (in the witness chair
and positing, he says: "Tell us in your own words..."
and positing, he says: "Tell us in your own words..."
...and Kramer says: "Whose words would I use but my own?"
-------------------
MIL
10 MAR 2017
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