Irritating words and phrases

[Hanshi]

  Okay, not really a rant, but...  Many like to embellish absolutely excellent words and it's a pet peeve of mine.

CAUTION: we all know what it means.  So what in the world is "abundant" caution?  If I exhibit caution I certainly don't do it abundantly.

UNIQUE: here we go again.  We know what it means; kinda like being "pregnant", either you are or you are not.  If something is unique it then stands alone.  A rifle can be unique but not MORE unique; more uniqueness can't be simply piled on or snatched away.

OPTIMISTIC: what exactly does "cautiously optimistic" mean anyway.  If I'm optimistic I'm not cautious about because I'm, well, optimistic!

SUSPICIOUS: a victim is found dismembered in the trunk of a car.  We are told the authorities are treating the death as "suspicious".  Really, now, and what are they basing that on?  How seriously are they considering possible suicide; looks pretty cut & dried to me.

SMOKING HOT: We're not going to go there, friends.

These faux pas are common in the news and politics; but thankfully not us so much.

[Patocazador]

Thank you for being so opaquely clear about that. 

[Cranbrook]

The phrase I'd like to see banished completely from use; "It is what it is", just won't go away!

I have a cousin named "It" and the poor little hairy guy has just about been driven nuts by this all too common expression!

[beowulf]

there`s only one term that twists my tail in a knot ! and it is used mainly by teens, teen girls in particular , and women ! it basically means go to h*ll ,I`ll do what I want ! and that term is " what ever "
spoken in a drawn out , insolent manner that makes you want to drag them out to the woodshed ,and show them "whatever ! " 

[bmtshooter]

We are bombarded by so many twisted terms that it is easy to become irritated:

Gun control - That is what I am struggling to achieve in order to hit the target.

Gun violence - How can an object animate itself to the point of becoming violent?

Active shooter - I shoot, and I hope to be active for a few more years before settling in at the nursing home.

I don't think you even hit the paper with that shot - I just hate hearing that.

[Hanshi]

Ah, good posts.  But if you understand my post, I'll PM you the contact info for my therapist. 

[Hawken50]

   Mine is spoken by a guy at work who is supposed to be a supervisor,,,,,"It is what it is"  God i hate it when he says that instead of fixin the problem,

[Hanshi]

  Another one is THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE: How much of the future can one see, a minute, a day, 100 years?  We live in the "future" all the time.  It's just that when the future gets here it's called "the present".

PUBLIC SERVANT: A not-so-funny-joke.  Riding the gravy train is NOT serving anyone else!  Example; all "politicians" serve themselves first and foremost, seek maximum power and wealth.  Second in importance to them is their PARTY; that's where their allegiance calls home.  Third is the white house.  It's third in line for "service". 4^th in line are big corporations and donors.  The voters come in 5^th for their concern; plus they are documented as using nearly 60% of their time for campaigning.  Their job is 90% getting reelected.

[Hanshi]

Another word I truly hate is the word NO! 

[Red Badger]

Another word I truly hate is the word NO! 

Actually No, isn't so bad especially if it is the answer to "Do you mind if I spend 700 on a new gun?"

[Cranbrook]

Another word I truly hate is the word NO! 

Just two measly letters.....with sooooo many different meanings!

I have learned to interpret the word "NO" into many positive (for me) outcomes!   (example):  She said, no, I couldn't have that 2nd piece of cake.

I said OK then, I'll just skip the 2nd piece and eat the 3rd instead!   

[Hanshi]

  My first real memories of encountering the word "NO" directed at me was immediately followed, IIRC, a hard smack on the hand with a ruler in the hands of what I was convinced was an actual witch. 

[hotfxr]

My first real memories of encountering the word "NO" directed at me was immediately followed, IIRC, a hard smack on the hand with a ruler in the hands of what I was convinced was an actual witch. 

If you're like me (and unfortunately for the rest of the world, you are) it was one of those penguin looking nuns that did the smacking. I believe my first knuckle smack was in kindergarten. I think that trauma set me up for a lifetime of not listening to those with (supposed) authority over me. To paraphrase an old guy that I admired, when dealing with a irate customer who said they wanted to speak with my superior, I replied; I ain't got no superiors and darn few equals!! 

It's OK, I didn't like that job anyway.   

[Patocazador]

I was in the 6th grade before I realized that 1) nuns had ears and hair and 2) that they were women and not a third unknown sex. 

[Hanshi]

  Grade school was especially tough for me.  I eventually had to shave off my mustache in the second grade.  But the girl in the desk just behind mine was allowed to keep hers.  I also vividly recall the day the cops came in and arrested the teacher; that cut off my pot supply for the next 4 years.  Hotfxr already knows how much this inconvenienced the both of us.

If you're like me (and unfortunately for the rest of the world, you are) it was one of those penguin looking nuns that did the smacking. I believe my first knuckle smack was in kindergarten.
[/quote]

They WEREN'T PENGUINS???!  I don't remember them having hair but I do remember having to sweep up feathers as punishment.
                                                                  [/color]