Words and phrases to avoid 
Aren’t these just buzzwords that dumb people use to sound important?
— An unnamed writer for the Krusty the Klown Show
I’ve been in a bit of a testy mood this last week. A variety of reasons for that, but I’ve managed to keep it under the surface. Well, at least for the last couple of days. Little things, though, have set me off. Mainly words and phrases that I’ve heard and read recently, ones that have always grated on me.
In my current mood, these are more than minor irritants. And, as someone who writes for a living, these words and phrases offend my delicate sensibilities.
Like what? Here are a few:
All-time high/greatest/etc.: Unless time has ended (and no one’s told me), or that company/field of endeavour has ceased to exist, then nothing is all-time.
Free gift: Isn’t every gift you receive free? I know, I know. Some gifts do have strings attached, but …
Functionality: I cringe whenever I read or hear that word. What does that word mean? Features? Functions? I still haven’t figured that out, and I’ve been a technical writer for a long time.
Synergy: Unless you’re talking about Larry Fast’s electronic music project, I never want to hear that word applied to business or relationships. Or anything else.
Proactive: Is there such a thing as being antiactive?
Paradigm: I wish that word would just shift away.
Squaring the circle: The only time this sort of metaphor has come even close to working was in the title of the documentary Kings of the Square Ring.
I could go on, but for the sake of my mental health I won’t.
Are there any words or phrases that you find particularly annoying? If so, leave a comment.
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Ah, like you there are so many to pick from but I think I’ll leave it with:
This is not a sales call…