Words I Don't Like
abundance
As in, "You know what you need? You just need to cultivate an attitude of abundance around your life. Then everything will be fine. It's a fact." No, it's not a fact. It's just not. And also, shut up.
cocked
To mean "drunk."
eclectic
As in, "I have very eclectic taste in music." No, you don't. Well, maybe on a scale of John Mayer to Dave Matthews, but otherwise, no. Have you ever noticed that people who describe their taste in music as "eclectic" usually have the most predictable, narrow taste in music ever?
just sayin'
This phrase is the new millenia equivalent of the teenage girl favorite "just kidding," as in: "Your hair looks terrible today! Just kidding." It's so obnoxious it makes me want to die.
juicy
To describe anything that's not a fruit or a really good piece of gossip. Vanessa thinks it sounds low rent even when used to describe gossip. Vanessa is ruthless, brilliant and has an amazing blog (click on Thought).
energy
As in, "You've got really cute energy." Read more.
flesh
This word is bad enough when used to describe animal or human parts, but when a recipe asks me to "carve the flesh of the avocado," it's just a little too macabre.
irregardless
'Cuz it ain't a word. Well, technically it's a word, but it shouldn't be.
lover
Please don't refer to your boyfriend/husband/girlfriend/wife/partner as your lover. Because then I have to think about you having sex. Gross. As a sidenote, no form of "make love to you" is ever or will ever be acceptable under any circumstances, ever, FYI.
manifest
Used in any context by anyone who has ever read The Secret. Otherwise, it's fine. Read much more of my thoughts on the demise of the word "manifest."
panties
'Nuff said. A word that only belongs in the mouths of pedophiles.
weep
I know technically that crying involves a bodily secretion, but this word makes it way too obvious.
And a bonus dislike for the word misuse that most bothers me:
loose: when something doesn't fit
lose: when you can't find it
It's phonetic, people.
Photo © andyfreeberg.com
After ten years in the yoga industry as a teacher, studio manager, and minion for alleged gurus, I started a freelance writing business: Outside Eye Consulting is based in Marin County, California, ground zero of the vapid yoga scene. Subsequently, I am one of the founders of the irreverent community forum RecoveringYogi.com. And in my spare time, I have an imaginary herb + spice company: SimpleBasic.
