My War on Words

Granted, My War on Words, is not quite the title a non-violent resister comes to easily. But so much usage today is offensive in its banality, imprecision, absurdity, or pedestrian character that it is the subject of frequent scrutiny--of which this is only one brief list among many compilations. And these have often been pointed out by others, but they refuse to die.

Come back frequently. This list will grow based on my wrath and your submissions:

vibrant --- If it ain't pulsating, as in full of life, steer clear of this overused term.

very unique --- It's either unique or it ain't--can't be shades of uniquity.

too simplistic --- Just say "too simple"; simplistic already means too simple.

on the ground, boots on the ground --- Verbal tics to fill dead air in news reports; "our reporters on the ground in Iraq" and where would they be if not "on the ground"? Our reporters in Iraq says it all.

what the fuck?--Not trying to be goody two shoes here--I'll lay an F bomb as quick as anyone else but I fail to see how this says it any more efficiently than "Huh?" Even "Da fuck?" isn't as simple; and plain old "Fuck?" can be too easily misconstrued.

whatever --- Euphemism for "your comments do not merit replies," or "Go away, boy, you bother me."

May I ask you a question? --- Another verbal tic, another way of getting more time to think; ask the damn question first time around. And besides, if you haven't noticed, you just did.

how rude! ---You don't have to tell me. I know it's rude. Why do you think I did it?

game plan --- Actually any sports reference, e.g, "This project is rounding third." It's just a plan; not everybody is playing the game.

polish that turd --- Anyone who's tried this knows turds are shiniest when first produced; spraying them with varnish only reduces their olfactory impact.

pro-active --- Does pro add anything to active?

It is what it is --- What insight! This wisdom vies with the Preparation H claim that "It works in all cases except those requiring surgery," or "The glass always breaks on the last bounce."

previously-owned --- Even new cars were once owned by the factory, and again by the dealer

wellness --- What does this word say that health did not say with fewer letters and syllables?

play out --- Sincerely,  isn't develop much better?

unpack --- Hey, you mean explain? Discuss? Analyze?

disconnect --- As in, "There's a disconnect between what he says and what he does." Are you implying he's a hypocrite? There's more than a slight disparity, discrepancy, contradiction, etc.

tiny little --- He was either tiny or little unless of course he was Tiny Little from Hee Haw. Maybe he was only minuscule, microscopic, or nanonical.  Or maybe he was short, brief, or succinct.

real time --- is there any other kind? I witnessed it in real time? I actually saw it? I was there when it happened? You can't really witness something on video, film, etc.

fun (as an adjective) --- Instead of "that was fun" some say "that was a fun thing" just plain verbal tic that adds nothing. What would be the comparative - "funner"? the superlative - "funnest"? Clumsy at best