Word use that drives you up the wall!

[Abraham]

Yotes - oh brother.

I guess saying Coyote isn't nearly as Coo-Whul.

[longhorn_92]

Not just one word... But the phrase, "Let me be Clear" drives me crazy!!!

[MasterOfNone]

"Hero." I'm sure we have all seen the overuse of this word to describe people performing trivial acts, such as the "hero" of a football game. Also common is labeling victims as heroes. To me, heroism requires a few elements:
1. A conscious, willing choice
2. to perform an act with significant personal risk
3. for the benefit of others
4. with no expectation of reward.

Unfortunately, our culture (and of course of media) has diluted this term to the point that anybody can be a "Guitar Hero."

[WildBill]

"Hero." I'm sure we have all seen the overuse of this word to describe people performing trivial acts, such as the "hero" of a football game. Also common is labeling victims as heroes. To me, heroism requires a few elements:
1. A conscious, willing choice
2. to perform an act with significant personal risk
3. for the benefit of others
4. with no expectation of reward.

Unfortunately, our culture (and of course of media) has diluted this term to the point that anybody can be a "Guitar Hero."

Maybe already posted, but the word genius being used inappropriately irks me to no end.

[urnoodle]

I do not like the use of "my ole lady" or "my ole man". Equally as irritating is; "my old lady" and "my old man". IMHO, their use demonstrates a lack of respect.

[Beiruty]

And, that "thingy"....

[Dadtodabone]

A young man, who could become my son-in-law(more about that later), asked me to edit/review his Masters thesis. While the subject matter was boring in the extreme, for the most part his prose was concise and well structured. The most common error found, was his use of the word effect.
His was correct in about 50% of the instances that the word was used, the remainder should have been affect.
In most common usage, affect with an A will be a verb, while effect with an E will be a noun.
Affect should be used to illustrate influence, "The bullet affected the Tannerite binary rifle target."
Effect is the result of the Affect, "The effect of the bullet on the Tannerite binary rifle target was explosive!"
There are exceptions.
Affect is used as a noun in psychoanalysis, "the patient displays a morose affect.", this usage underlines the lack of true understanding of the patients feelings. Analyst can only observe how the patient appears to be feeling.
Effect can be used as a verb that essentially means "to bring about," or "to accomplish." For example, you could say, "Mr. Obama hoped to effect change in the discourse on firearms."
(do I get extra points for using hope and change in a single sentence that is structured correctly?)

The Young Man;
Appears to care for my Baby Daughter. Respectful towards her and her Mother. Moderate to Strong Grip. Typical Northeast Lib family. Reasonably well groomed and dressed. BA Economics, Amherst College. MSc. Finance, London School of Business(pending). Employed by Barclay's as an international analyst with a focus on "emerging economies". Performed well during the Fogo De Chao "Man Meets Meat" experience, good pacing, adequate volume, tried the lamb. Exhibited cautious enthusiasm for and during his first range session. Assisted with cleanup. Enjoyed a cigar and a glass of Whisky. Appreciated my "The Double Gun as Art" presentation. Fascinated by my "The Double Gun as an Investment" follow-up.
What say you, fellow fathers?

[Abraham]

Sounds like a good guy - just needs a little more seasoning, i.e., why self defense using guns is a sound idea...with that he'll come all the way to being a great guy!

[Abraham]

While somewhat dated, these horrors are still in use: Showerbath, oh gawd, it's one or the other, not both!

Brickbat - huh?

A couple of three, arrghhh, again it's one or the other....

[Abraham]

And for honorable mention: Cash Money

Cash Money?

What, cash isn't enough information?

[urnoodle]

YOU'INS..... what is the origin of that I must ask?! Made popular by those I work with in Missouri. Is it really difficult to say "all of you". I'd even take a y'all at least I understand what is being said.

[Dadtodabone]

YOU'INS..... what is the origin of that I must ask?! Made popular by those I work with in Missouri. Is it really difficult to say "all of you". I'd even take a y'all at least I understand what is being said.

Probably shares the etymology of the beloved Pittsburgh regional dialect "Yinz" or "Yunz".
You might review the info provided at http://www.pittsburghese.com/ to aid your understanding of the Irish/Scot/English/Appalachian hybrid pronunciations and usage. Always good for a laugh and will allow you to order at Primanti Brothers http://primantibros.com/home.html before a "Stillers" game without drawing undue attention.

[The Annoyed Man]

YOU'INS..... what is the origin of that I must ask?! Made popular by those I work with in Missouri. Is it really difficult to say "all of you". I'd even take a y'all at least I understand what is being said.

Probably shares the etymology of the beloved Pittsburgh regional dialect "Yinz" or "Yunz".
You might review the info provided at http://www.pittsburghese.com/ to aid your understanding of the Irish/Scot/English/Appalachian hybrid pronunciations and usage. Always good for a laugh and will allow you to order at Primanti Brothers http://primantibros.com/home.html before a "Stillers" game without drawing undue attention.

I'm reading a fascinating book right now called "Black Rednecks & White Liberals" by Thomas Sowell, and he addresses the distinctive patterns of southern speech, as well as southern culture, and he traces it back to the specific regions the white settlers came from in Scotland, Ireland, and the British midlands; as well as, WHEN they came from there....because other white northern settlers, coming from the same regions but at a different time in Britain/Scotland's history lack those traits......and how those cultural traits were transferred to the slave population they oversaw. He denies the influence of African culture as having anything more than a passing affect on blacks because, by the time of the revolution, the vast majority of slaves in the U.S. had been born here. Even in the minutiae, things like jumping over a broom handle as part of a black wedding ceremony was handed down from white Scottish immigrants, where the practice was an old pagan practice, predating Christianity. I could go on, but it is a really interesting book.

[SewTexas]

And, that "thingy"....

hey....."thingy" is a very specific word! it's a true noun, I'm sure of it