After last week’s You Tell Me in which we discussed our favorite words, reader John Ochwat had the good sense to suggest this week’s topic. And it’s even better:
As someone who has done (but isn’t currently, yeah!) medical transcription, I have a whole encyclopedia of words that I hate.
That is, the convoluted generic names of drugs whose brand names are one or two syllables – and some docs for some reason ALWAYS use the generic name…why do they do that?
levetiracetam (Keppra) fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair)
Also…there is a whole class of HIV drugs whose names are…well, here is a sampling:
I’d have to go digging around in my “word expander” (makes me think of words as having unattractive elastic waistlines for some reason) to see all the THOUSANDS of drug names + obscure disease and procedure names that I hate…
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | Date: 1996
PROCTOR – agent, deputy, proxy XIV; advocate, attorney XV; university officer representative of the Masters of Arts; representative of clergy in Convocation XVI. ME. proctour, syncopated form of procketour, procutour, reduction of procuratour
PROCTO – procto- comb. form of Gr. prōktós anus, in (mainly) anat. and surg. terms. XIX.
Nathan, there’s an equally horrible verb connected with ‘proctor’ – from back in the days when the Senior and Junior Proctors prowled the streets of Oxford looking for wrong-doing members of the university. If a Proctor caught you, you were ‘progged.’
I came in late on this one. I have to agree with the “C” word that rhymes with hunt, but also add the “P” word. It has two meanings, both of which are DE-meaning to women.
Flaccid! I just used it to describe Tampa doctors and then ran away from the conversation to write this when I realized the word is disgusting. I don’t think I’m too comfortable with penis either. Let me rephrase that. I don’t like the word penis very much. It sounds too cute for what it is, in most cases anyway.
Victim. I hate it when someone is called a victim. That word says the person is powerless. He/she has been stripped of his/her humanity and choices, and is at the mercy of someone or something.
Nice job with the word, “that”. My second least favourite word is pillow. It is just weak, unimaginative and oddly hard to pronounce for some . . . myself included.
Ha! That one came up in our novel-writing support group (which is desperately similar to Bob Newhart’s group therapy sessions). I let it go, but then spent the next 20 minutes running it through my head. What the Hell does that mean?
Demur and coy are one thing, but I think that one is just deceptive. Self-deceptive, even.
I’m amused by how many of you hate the “C” word. It’s very useful, even if it’s the one swear word you still have to use carefully. It describes a dangerously self-centered woman in a unique way, one that can’t be replaced without losing the impact. I only use it about once a year, but I enjoy it when I do.
Besides, as the late George Carlin said, it stands alone … it’s a word with real power to it. I could see fearing it, but hating it? Naw.
Oh well, enough of the pale male perspective for one day.
I agree. When I started work at a library, the patrons did not check in books. They discharged books. That is just gross, and probably a little unhealthy.
Put together with my other least favorite word you get the phrase my wife used to shut me up… “moist discharge.”
First, I love most words folks find obscene. Blame my ODD! The C-word, the F-word . . . all of them are very expressive. Though, I have to admit to using them much more orally than in writing. As a copyeditor for a Fantasy genre magazine, I run into ‘st’ words all too often. I think I’m developing an allergy to “amongst”! That’s my least favorite word. Also hate anything with that stupid ‘st’ stuck onto it. Like “amidst” for amid. It’s nearly as bad as the use of superfluous “al” suffixes on words like “scientific” into “scientifical”. Bugs the bejeesus out of me. I’m also in the camp that despises “intellectualized” gargage like ‘utilize’ to mean ‘use’. That’s more of a speech thing, though, as certain insecure folks tend to think that three-syllable words sound more edumacatedal than a one-syllable word. I’m also in the camp with those who find it disgusting when people twist language to make it “cutsie”. I loathe baby talk (except, of course, from the mouths of babes). I’m intrigued though that most of the responses here are more centered on concept than word. {shrugging, a thought bubble appears above the writer: “do I mention here my loathing for expressive metadiscourse in electronic mediums (that’s “media”, dumb butt!)?} David
Offense alert. Don’t read if you are easily offended. You go the C-word and the p-word for women’s anatomy. I worked with guys who called it Snatch. Used to drive me nuts.
Hmmmm…. the word that gets me every time is guardian. It took me years to stop spelling it as “gaurdian”. I’ve always wanted to put the “a” before the “u”. Even when I look at it now it looks right. Yep. That’s my vote for least favorite word.
No contest: webinar. OK, maybe it is a contest with a couple other corporate constructs, the much-hated l10n (localization) and its partner, i18n (internationalization). I h2e those w3s!
Two of my mom’s favorite words are “irregardless” and “ironical.” No matter how many times I correct her by saying “regardless” and “ironic,” she still manages to use both words at least once during every conversation. It makes me want to cry.
I also hate the word “fart.” It just sounds so crass.
Rilke: “You must give birth to your images. They are the future waiting to be born.”
As cunt, pussy and snatch refer (at least nominally, anybody out there hate the word nominal? But it’s so delightful to juxtapose with anatomical) to the anatomical location of birth…I just wonder, as a female writer myself…giving birth to images ala Rilke…and picking up on Erik’s definition of a cunt as a “dangerously self-centered woman” – I don’t know – as a female writer-artist-poet type…a dangerously self-centered woman giving birth to the future via images…is kind of a compliment, isn’t it? At least it feels that way to me…
Well, I don’t want to say I love the words cunt-pussy-snatch, ’cause I really don’t (vulva and/or external genitalia and/or vagina and/or internal genitalia are just fine to this sometimes medical transcriptionist), but, in the immortal words (phrase) of wannabe grrl gangsta Margaret Seltzer…”I’m just sayin'”
I wonder if there was a poll asking “Do you live in a culture that affirms your creativity?” How would people answer? Yes, No, Sometimes, Never…Always, and Hell No could be the answers to choose from…
I myself would probably choose…Hell No…but I do happen to be one of those cuntastic and contrary American female artists, what can I say for myself…
I still don’t know what those mean and don’t care.
Newbie
I’m glad other people mentioned this one. I’d never heard it until someone called me a “newbie” on a forum last year. I was offended. I thought it had something to do with a goat.
The word “bitch” has been taken as a compliment, at least by one publication. That’s a lot of the reason why the C-word (I won’t use it here) is so necessary. It goes with its male equivalent, the D-word rather well. The idea isn’t one of birth, but of very base self-centeredness (is that a word?).
You want to take it as a compliment? FINE. Ruin my fun. BE that way! 🙂
As for how creativity is valued in our society, I’d answer “Hahahahaha!” Creativity has a net negative value, as far as I can tell. If you step outside of the mainstream people not only have no idea what you’re talking about, they make a point of using it against you. Membership in this society requires you to keep your mouth shut, except to use the latest trendy jargon that identifies you as one of the hipeoisie.
Do I sound bitter? Yeah, I am most of the time. I honestly believe I’m the only person who dares allow himself to think at times. Then, I have a beer to make it all better.
Watch being creative, as the middle class white folk really don’t go for that stuff. They like people who are just like them, and creativity is a real solid threat. Systems have been set up, procedures ossified, and people have been assigned as gatekeepers.
That’s what the end of an empire looks like, and always has. Time for us to get ours!
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
So many hateful words, so little time…
As someone who has done (but isn’t currently, yeah!) medical transcription, I have a whole encyclopedia of words that I hate.
That is, the convoluted generic names of drugs whose brand names are one or two syllables – and some docs for some reason ALWAYS use the generic name…why do they do that?
levetiracetam (Keppra)
fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair)
Also…there is a whole class of HIV drugs whose names are…well, here is a sampling:
Isentress (raltegravir)
Invirase (saquinavir)
Kaletra (lopinavir)
Truvada (Emtricitabine + Tenofovir DF)
I’d have to go digging around in my “word expander” (makes me think of words as having unattractive elastic waistlines for some reason) to see all the THOUSANDS of drug names + obscure disease and procedure names that I hate…
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | Date: 1996
PROCTOR – agent, deputy, proxy XIV; advocate, attorney XV; university officer representative of the Masters of Arts; representative of clergy in Convocation XVI. ME. proctour, syncopated form of procketour, procutour, reduction of procuratour
PROCTO – procto- comb. form of Gr. prōktós anus, in (mainly) anat. and surg. terms. XIX.
Kristi says
I’m not a fan of the word: discharge. It is hands down my least favorite word.
Anonymous says
Penis
the Amateur Book Blogger says
The ones I only score 2 on, in scrabble
Elizabeth Aston says
Nathan, there’s an equally horrible verb connected with ‘proctor’ – from back in the days when the Senior and Junior Proctors prowled the streets of Oxford looking for wrong-doing members of the university. If a Proctor caught you, you were ‘progged.’
Anonymous says
i can’t stand people using the word “chillax”
*shudder*
James K says
I hate the word “stupid,” but only the way that Americans say it.
We should all convert to the British pronunciation: st yoō pid
putzjab says
Sorry,
I came in late on this one. I have to agree with the “C” word that rhymes with hunt, but also add the “P” word. It has two meanings, both of which are DE-meaning to women.
davidsearls says
Least favorite word: rural. What tongue can wrap itself around two ‘r’s in that quick succession?
doreen says
Flaccid!
I just used it to describe Tampa doctors and then ran away from the conversation to write this when I realized the word is disgusting.
I don’t think I’m too comfortable with penis either. Let me rephrase that. I don’t like the word penis very much. It sounds too cute for what it is, in most cases anyway.
Okami says
My least favorite word: Reality. I must hear it, see it, or read it at least once a week, usually more.
Sometimes it can mean something nice, but usually it’s associated with something bad, sad, or just plain annoying.
Kimberly K. says
There are a couple that drive me nuts.
Fornicate (what an ugly word)
Copulate (ditto)
The phrase ‘Needless to say…’
Racially demeaning names (the n word being the most predominant)
And I detest the current useage of whatever and fine as disrespectful shut-offs to conversation.
Vieva says
it’s a phrase, but I don’t care.
“Take it to a higher level”. NEVER fails to make me curl up in a ball twitching.
*twitch*
Anonymous says
Mustard
and
Mayonnaise
Both words make me shudder…
150 says
I thought of another one that I can’t stand to read or say. It’s “poetry.” Something about the o-e combination makes me feel mealy-mouthed.
Barbara's blog says
Victim. I hate it when someone is called a victim. That word says the person is powerless. He/she has been stripped of his/her humanity and choices, and is at the mercy of someone or something.
MB Dabney says
That.
It’s overused and yet hard to get around using.
MattP says
Nice job with the word, “that”. My second least favourite word is pillow. It is just weak, unimaginative and oddly hard to pronounce for some . . . myself included.
DeborahBrent says
Mine is the “F” word.
Vieva says
I thought of something that makes me even twitchier.
“Emotional affair”.
*twitchies*
Lauren says
The word “journey” used metaphorically makes me crazy…also When someone wants to “share” something with me that is not a thing
freddie says
Any made-up words used by pharmaceutical companies to sell their products. And the made-up names of pharmaceutical companies themselves.
Erik says
Emotional affair
Ha! That one came up in our novel-writing support group (which is desperately similar to Bob Newhart’s group therapy sessions). I let it go, but then spent the next 20 minutes running it through my head. What the Hell does that mean?
Demur and coy are one thing, but I think that one is just deceptive. Self-deceptive, even.
I’m amused by how many of you hate the “C” word. It’s very useful, even if it’s the one swear word you still have to use carefully. It describes a dangerously self-centered woman in a unique way, one that can’t be replaced without losing the impact. I only use it about once a year, but I enjoy it when I do.
Besides, as the late George Carlin said, it stands alone … it’s a word with real power to it. I could see fearing it, but hating it? Naw.
Oh well, enough of the pale male perspective for one day.
Sprizouse says
How ’bout a list of the FUNNIEST words?
I vote for hosepump.
And anything the word verification comes up with for commenting on blogger… I just got prunepocket.
eric-paul says
Kristi said “discharge.”
I agree. When I started work at a library, the patrons did not check in books. They discharged books. That is just gross, and probably a little unhealthy.
Put together with my other least favorite word you get the phrase my wife used to shut me up… “moist discharge.”
Anonymous says
adhesive…
my boyfriend always chastises me for saying it incorrectly…
fringemonkey says
First, I love most words folks find obscene. Blame my ODD! The C-word, the F-word . . . all of them are very expressive. Though, I have to admit to using them much more orally than in writing.
As a copyeditor for a Fantasy genre magazine, I run into ‘st’ words all too often. I think I’m developing an allergy to “amongst”! That’s my least favorite word. Also hate anything with that stupid ‘st’ stuck onto it. Like “amidst” for amid. It’s nearly as bad as the use of superfluous “al” suffixes on words like “scientific” into “scientifical”.
Bugs the bejeesus out of me.
I’m also in the camp that despises “intellectualized” gargage like ‘utilize’ to mean ‘use’. That’s more of a speech thing, though, as certain insecure folks tend to think that three-syllable words sound more edumacatedal than a one-syllable word.
I’m also in the camp with those who find it disgusting when people twist language to make it “cutsie”. I loathe baby talk (except, of course, from the mouths of babes).
I’m intrigued though that most of the responses here are more centered on concept than word. {shrugging, a thought bubble appears above the writer: “do I mention here my loathing for expressive metadiscourse in electronic mediums (that’s “media”, dumb butt!)?}
David
Lizz Huerta says
“flustrated.”
An old friend used to tell me I “flustrated” him when he meant to say frustrated. He honestly thought the word was flustrated and it drove me crazy.
Anonymous says
Offense alert.
Don’t read if you are easily offended.
You go the C-word and the p-word for women’s anatomy.
I worked with guys who called it
Snatch.
Used to drive me nuts.
Anonymous says
It’s my new least favorite word: UNEMPLOYMENT.
-Nikki
Rick says
Hmmmm…. the word that gets me every time is guardian. It took me years to stop spelling it as “gaurdian”. I’ve always wanted to put the “a” before the “u”. Even when I look at it now it looks right. Yep. That’s my vote for least favorite word.
Rick
Scott says
No contest: webinar. OK, maybe it is a contest with a couple other corporate constructs, the much-hated l10n (localization) and its partner, i18n (internationalization). I h2e those w3s!
Maureen says
Whatever
That is my least favorite word; it’s so dismissive and rude.
Daniel W. Powell says
newbie
michelle cheri says
Two of my mom’s favorite words are “irregardless” and “ironical.” No matter how many times I correct her by saying “regardless” and “ironic,” she still manages to use both words at least once during every conversation. It makes me want to cry.
I also hate the word “fart.” It just sounds so crass.
punchbuggyblue says
Any word that starts with e-
e-commerce, e-book, e-everything.
Also, I agree with the poster who dislikes the word orientated – oriented will suffice.
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
Putting on my phrasemaker’s hat for a moment:
Rilke: “You must give birth to your images. They are the future waiting to be born.”
As cunt, pussy and snatch refer (at least nominally, anybody out there hate the word nominal? But it’s so delightful to juxtapose with anatomical) to the anatomical location of birth…I just wonder, as a female writer myself…giving birth to images ala Rilke…and picking up on Erik’s definition of a cunt as a “dangerously self-centered woman” – I don’t know – as a female writer-artist-poet type…a dangerously self-centered woman giving birth to the future via images…is kind of a compliment, isn’t it? At least it feels that way to me…
Well, I don’t want to say I love the words cunt-pussy-snatch, ’cause I really don’t (vulva and/or external genitalia and/or vagina and/or internal genitalia are just fine to this sometimes medical transcriptionist), but, in the immortal words (phrase) of wannabe grrl gangsta Margaret Seltzer…”I’m just sayin'”
Wanda B. Ontheshelves says
While we’re on the subject of going off topic:
I wonder if there was a poll asking “Do you live in a culture that affirms your creativity?” How would people answer? Yes, No, Sometimes, Never…Always, and Hell No could be the answers to choose from…
I myself would probably choose…Hell No…but I do happen to be one of those cuntastic and contrary American female artists, what can I say for myself…
kiwifr00t says
Word I hate: lachrymal
Seriously, there are so many lovely poetic ways you can talk about weeping, but this one is icky and clinical. : P
Anonymous says
Slacks
Slacks and Moist
And together… that’s torture!
Lee Pletzers says
just
that’s the word I hate.
oh and: word verification
Mary says
Chagrin. It sounds phoney and removed. I dislike it so much, this is the first time I’ve typed it!
Now for the ritual cleansing. 😉
dan says
my least favorite word is:
NO!
Nathan
i read your blog. there is a book here. can you help me bring it out?
https://pcillu101.blogspot.com
danny bloom
Tufts 1971
https://www.nowpublic.com/environment/climate-hideout
Anonymous says
ANYWAYS
And fringemonkey, I’m definitely going to start saying “edumacatedal.”
Anonymous says
PORN.
It’s even worse when used in conjunction with something non-sexual, like “FOOD PORN.” Ick.
Peggy Frezon says
Horrific.
It’s overused, silly. blech.
Bryan says
Well, who would have thought so many people would hate the word ‘moist’?
Moist
Moist
Moist
Actually, I really rather like the word moist. Moist moist moist moist moist moist…
Really, I could east a nice moist cookie right now. Or some moist cake… Mmmmmm…. Moist!
Damn, that’s a good word. I think I’m gonna start using it as a general superlative.
“Hey, how’s that book?”
“Moist!”
“Yeah? Can I borrow it?”
“Sure. And check out the new Jonathan Lethem as well. It’s totally moist.”
So versatile and powerful…
Moist. I’m outta here.
MH says
IMO and IMHO
I know it’s your opinion. You typed it, remember?
Squee and wOOt
I still don’t know what those mean and don’t care.
Newbie
I’m glad other people mentioned this one. I’d never heard it until someone called me a “newbie” on a forum last year. I was offended. I thought it had something to do with a goat.
Erik says
Wanda:
The word “bitch” has been taken as a compliment, at least by one publication. That’s a lot of the reason why the C-word (I won’t use it here) is so necessary. It goes with its male equivalent, the D-word rather well. The idea isn’t one of birth, but of very base self-centeredness (is that a word?).
You want to take it as a compliment? FINE. Ruin my fun. BE that way! 🙂
As for how creativity is valued in our society, I’d answer “Hahahahaha!” Creativity has a net negative value, as far as I can tell. If you step outside of the mainstream people not only have no idea what you’re talking about, they make a point of using it against you. Membership in this society requires you to keep your mouth shut, except to use the latest trendy jargon that identifies you as one of the hipeoisie.
Do I sound bitter? Yeah, I am most of the time. I honestly believe I’m the only person who dares allow himself to think at times. Then, I have a beer to make it all better.
Watch being creative, as the middle class white folk really don’t go for that stuff. They like people who are just like them, and creativity is a real solid threat. Systems have been set up, procedures ossified, and people have been assigned as gatekeepers.
That’s what the end of an empire looks like, and always has. Time for us to get ours!