(Somewhat modified, and with my annotations – jc)
A perfect storm: Numbingly applied to virtually any notable coincidence.
Webinar: Combines Web and Seminar. Belongs in the same school of non-thought that brought us e-anything and I-anything.
“X” is the new “Y”: Applied to everything from age to sex. (Chocolate is not the new sex. If it is to you, please seek help . . . and keep away from my Ghiradelli – jc)
Organic: Sagged under the weight of overuse. Applied to everything from computer software to dog food. (In the Navy, it means “within the Fleet”, so we still use it - jc)
Pop: Decorators need a new word when offering to add a touch of color. (Many of their ideas – at least on HGTV don’t “pop.” Puke may be more apropos.)
Post 9/11 and surge: “Surge” is now used to explain the expansion of anything.
Give back: Gives rise to the notion that as one’s life progresses, one accumulates a deficit balance with society which must be neutralized by charitable works or financial outlays. (Commonly used by celebrities trying to atone for a DUI or some other transgression. BTW, note the questionable use of “which” in a discussion about bad English – jc)
Back in the day: Too often applied to recent trends rather than historical events. (Also used by too many folks who aren’t old enough to have a “back in the day.”)
Random, sweet: Meaningless teen-age babble. (Usually with sweet spelled as suhweeet. The number of e’s used is generally random – jc)
It is what it is: Of course it is. What else could it be?
Emotional: Used by reporters to describe almost any event.
Decimate: Used by reporters when they mean “annihilate” or destroy,” not the true word’s meaning of “to lose a fraction.” (one-tenth, to be exact – jc)
Throw under the bus: Sports announcers need stop using this when assigning blame to a player. (If they don’t, the announcers should be thrown under the bus – jc)
Wordsmith: Simply because writers prefer to be called writers, I guess.
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Some of my own:
Begs the question: Constantly used instead of “raises the question.” Unfortunately the incorrect usage has now become the most common.
A Very Special Episode: Used (over-used, actually) to describe ANY television program that includes some emotional issue. (See “emotional” above.)
On the Nines: Or on the twos, or on the fives, or on the whatever-channel-number the TV station tries to tie programming to times.
That’s so 10 minutes ago: I think Cher said it in “Clueless.” Anyone who still uses it is obviously defined by the movie title.
What part of "NO"
TomKat, Benifer, etc.: Puhleeeze, Lord, deliver us from all of these cutesy celebrity married couple names. Please.
Porsh: It’s PORSH-UH, not PORSH, you blithering idiot. That’s the way Dr. Porsche’s family pronounces it, and if you don’t, you’re showing your abysmal lack of IQ. Sorry to be blunt, but that’s the way it is. If I’ve offended you, please change your pronunciation. Don’t blame me for your lack of intelligence.
Must see TV: There isn’t any. Quit saying it until you have some – or until Giada De Laurentiis starts a program called “Everyday Naked Italian.” That’s as close as you can come to Must see TV.
