Words and phrases I wish people would stop using.

[theredhosting]

There are certain words and phrases that drive me absolutely bat-shit crazy. Some have been around for decades and others are relatively new.

"It is what it is". Not the worst of the bunch but mostly useless.

Any portmanteau beginning with "bro", e.g. "bromance".

"Pre-owned", "pre-loved", etc. Used is still used no matter how you try to pretty it up.

"Staycation". 'Nuf said.

"At the end of the day", unless used literally.

"Literally", when used to mean "figuratively". Sterling Arched consistently gets this right (bless him).

"Encore presentation". Call it what you will, it's still just a bloody rerun.

"Collateral damage". Please use the phrase, "civilian deaths".

"Alternative" anything. Please replace with "junk" as in "junk medicine" or "junk science".

Anything "engineer" that doesn't also include an engineering degree. In spite of some of my earlier comments regarding the coding prowess of some former engineering colleagues I actually do respect the profession and consider it unfair when blue collar workers start calling themselves custodial engineers and sanitation engineers.

"Architechted". We already have a perfectly good word in "designed".

"Mistakes Were Made". These are weasel words intended to prevent anyone from taking responsibility. I want to know who and when.