What Words or Phrases Do You Think Are Overused?
The Times TV critic Neil Genzlinger is disgusted that a snarky use of the one-word response “Really?” is popping up everywhere on television these days. Because TV influences how we speak, he notes that that same use of “Really?” is spreading to everyday life. Have you noticed this?
What word or phrase do
you overuse when you speak? What words or phrases do you think are overused in
general?
In “The ‘R’ Word: Really, Really Overused,” Mr.
Genzlinger writes:
Civilization crumbles a
little bit almost every time I turn on the television, and a single
word-and-punctuation-mark combination is inflicting the damage.
You’ve heard it too, no
doubt, and if you’re a person who values grace and urbanity and eating with
utensils rather than burying your face in the plate, you’ve winced whenever
some TV character has spewed it. It’s the snarky “Really?,” and it’s undoing
2,000 years’ worth of human progress.
I’m not talking about
“Really?” as a request for more information or an expression of surprise. I’m
referring to the more recent, faddish use of it: delivered with a high-pitched
sneer to indicate a contempt so complete that it requires no clarification.
Say a co-worker shows up
for a pivotal meeting wearing a plaid blouse and a polka-dot skirt. In the old
days you might have said: “Well, that is certainly an interesting fashion
choice. Myself, I prefer something more subdued when sitting down with a
client.” Now, though, if you’ve succumbed to the loathsome trend, you will
simply aim as withering a look as you can at your colleague, say “Really?” and
walk away.
Students: Tell us how you
feel about this. Do you think civilization is threatened by this particular use
of this word?
·
What words or phrases do you overuse when you speak?
·
What words or phrases do you hear others use that you wish would
just go away?
·
Why do you think these words are overused, unnecessary or just
plain annoying?
·
What’s your opinion about the overuse of the word “Really?” The
comedian Jerry Seinfeld strongly disagrees with Mr. Genzlinger, for instance.
In a letter to the editor, he argues that “Really?”
is a fine word to use In conversation. He thinks it’s funny. What do you think?
Really.
Below are some of the
comments the readers made on the topic discussed in the article
For this discussion, add
“seriously” to really.
What makes me cringe
even more though is how “all of a sudden” has morphed into “all the sudden” for
most folks.
Eric D. period 1
eng0220 October 5, 2012 · 7:54 am
I think some words and
phrases are overused, like YOLO. It is okay to hear it a couple times, but
people use it too many times. It end up becoming really annoying after a while
because people say it couple times a day and they end up killing the phrase.
Gage T October 5, 2012 · 7:54 am
I think that
civilization is threatened by this particular use of this word. I also think
that other words will bring us down like “YOLO” and IDK.
Macie P. October 5, 2012 · 7:55 am
Yes “really” is overused
so much. Also, “huh” this ‘word’ erks me so much. Now the word ‘huh’ comes so
naturally when someone is talking to you. That just all of a suddon people say
‘huh’ even when they have heard what the person has said.
I think that the phrase
YOLO and LOL are used way too much i terms of text and word. When someone says
YOLO, I get really angry. The reason that I get angry is because i hear it at
least 10 times in a day.
I think that the most
used words are curse or swear words. It happens with everybody, there only a
few people that do not swear because they think it is not good. Also, in most
entertainment uses swears, so then people follow after the things that they watch.
I have seen it mostly in Comedies and action films or movies.
Kenny B. October 5, 2012 · 7:57 am
I do not think that
civilization is threatened by this particular use of this word. But I do think
YOLO and swag are overused way too much. Though I don’t wish them to go away,
people over use the word to the point at which it is not fun to say anymore. The
overuse of them makes them annoying, the word or phrase isn’t it’s just how
much people use them that is annoying. I think really is a perfectly fine word
to say in a conversation. I do not find really to be annoying but I can see how
it could be annoying to some people.
Nelson L October 5, 2012 · 7:57 am
The phrase “Lol,” is
used very much by almost everyone. I think the need for a new word is strongly
wished upon. It feels like every other text to a friend has the phrase “Lol.” I
think this phrase is just overused and it is time for a new one. I never knew
the word “Really” was even used a lot so I have no problem with it; I have a
feeling just older people use that trying to be younger.
Alisabeth 0220 October 5, 2012 · 7:57 am
I think the most over used word is “like”. I swear, people say
“like” multiple times in one sentence. It’s ridiculous. It’s annoying and
unnecessary. The word “really?’ is used too much too. Once in a while it is
okay, but when it is over used it becomes rude. I admit that I use my fair
share of “like”s and “really?”s but it is about time they stopped being used
What words or phrases do you overuse when you speak?
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that I overuse the word 'like', I just put it (like) in every sentence.
What words or phrases do you hear others use that you wish would just go away?
To my mind, I think it is hard for me to get annoyed by this thing, so there's no one.
Why do you think these words are overused, unnecessary or just plain annoying?
It might happen because we just can't choose the right word or another thing is when we say the easiest word for our brain thus we gain more time to think about what we are going to say next.
What’s your opinion about the overuse of the word “Really?” The comedian Jerry Seinfeld strongly disagrees with Mr. Genzlinger, for instance. In a letter to the editor, he argues that “Really?” is a fine word to use in conversation. He thinks it’s funny. What do you think? Really.
I think that if people want to use this word it's okay, I'm mot judging anyone here at this point.
Sergey,
Deletethanks for sharing your opinion. I actually thought that it was clear you had to write an essay on this topic using the questions in the end of the article as a guide to the issues you could address in your piece of writing.
And on a funny note: you have used the word "thing" twice in just this short opinion piece you have posted
DeleteWhat words or phrases do you overuse when you speak?
ReplyDeleteI’m trying to control my speech; hopefully, I don’t overuse any words or phrases.
What words or phrases do you hear others use that you wish would just go away?
I don’t think there are any words or phrases which irritate me.
What’s your opinion about the overuse of the word “Really?”
I didn’t know that some people use this word way too often. I guess it is not very pleasant to hear any word said with contempt, intonation the author points out, and “really” is no exception.
Eugenia,
Deletethanks for sharing your opinion. You are very brief. You could or rather should have written more extended answers
What words or phrases do you overuse when you speak?
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed any particular phrases that I overuse. I suppose it's hard to notice them while you're speaking. But I guess, I use 'meme phrases' a lot in my daily life, even though people around me don't get the references.
What words or phrases do you hear others use that you wish would just go away?
I don't think there are any phrases that annoy me at the moment. However, I remember 2014 when everyone was saying 'swag', that was very irritating. I'm glad this word is gone.
Why do you think these words are overused, unnecessary or just plain annoying?
I think a lot of people get irritated, when they see something everywhere, whether it's a word, a celebrity, or another one article about coronavirus. Besides, people can hate some word, if it is very often used by a person they don't like.
What’s your opinion about the overuse of the word “Really?”
I personally use 'really' quite often. I don't see any problem with this word.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteProbably this word is really threatened by this particular word :)
DeleteI will try to analyze my speech to admit the words by which I overuse:
Also, normal/normally, problem, really, communication, the way, actually.
As for others, I would say we don`t need in often using words as:
By the way, kind of, like a and so on.
I think the words are overused because today we have very helpful sources but we don`t widen our vocabulary, we keep using and using one the most simple and known for us word that can be noticed in different spheres of our life, and put it everywhere, in any situation as it is more easy than start remembering a synonym. But it became difficult to find a synonym to a top word fast, during the conversation; as we live in the century of machines, we got used to rely on an intellectual machine. I think the practice of overusing some words is rather unnecessary than annoying.
I am agree with those who live by their time, and who do not try to stop some tendencies only because they contrast with the old times. But some others Really like to start pounding the alarm. I`m absolutely sure, words that are considered to be called overused at the same time are unique, as they are multi-using due to the users phantasy and creativity; they work for many functions in our speech.
One word "really" can be a usual adverb, can be a reply for surprising, can be affirmative sentence, and also can be another type of response that doesn`t require an answer but only effects the situation, is used to continue the conversation (personal experience in communication and watching communication between others on social media).