You know what happens when someone tells you not to think about a pink elephant?
Suddenly you can’t get that creature out of your mind, right?
Something similar seems to be happening to me as I think and write about writing. My jargon-o-meter is on high alert these days.
So, for a little fun, here are some of the words and phrases that are currently high on my flop parade.
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Utilize
I’m sorry. There may be some technical reason to use this word. But for most of us, “use” works just as well without causing so much pain and gnashing of teeth. “Utilize” doesn’t make you sound smart. It’s just plain annoying. Please stop.
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At the end of the day
To me, this is just throat-clearing. Does what you’re saying change if you’re writing in the morning?
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In these troubling times
Fred Thompson keeps doing it as he tries to sell you a reverse mortgage. Investment firms, too. I guess they think that making people nervous will increase their sales. I think it’s a loser if you’re hoping to gain donations. Don’t remind people about how nervous they should be. Remind them about what great things they can do with a donation.
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Drill down
Couldn’t you just say what you mean? Why not “Let’s look at some of the details”?
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For all intents and purposes
What the heck DO you mean?
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Incentivize
Am I the only one who starts feeling itchy? This one screams “corporate speak” to me. I’m pretty sure I’m allergic.
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Make a difference
Guilty. I’ve done it. I bet you have, too. I’ve promised myself I’ll do better. Because “make a difference” is just filler. It doesn’t say anything. How will it make a difference? What kind of difference? A difference to whom? Be specific. Be tangible.
I know that you have your own collection of words and phrases that should die.
Utilize the comment box below and make a difference by sharing yours.
I’m told some people are having trouble leaving comments. I’m not sure why, but I’m looking into it. I apologize!
Mary, I enjoyed reading your list of words that should be taboo. I also appreciated your Wordle (http://wordle.net) graphic. You certainly could have produced a much longer list. I admire your restraint.
Here are some other words or phrases that make me cringe:
UNIQUE (or its cousin VERY UNIQUE). First, when people use the word “unique” to describe something, it’s usually something that is not truly unique; it’s usually something that’s just unusual or uncommon. Second, how can something be “very” one-of-a-kind?
VERY. I was guilty of using this word before my editor at John Wiley & Sons mostly beat it out of me. Now, I use “very” only sparingly and deliberately. Generally speaking, “very” doesn’t really add much, it’s often hyperbolic, and it gets in the way of the real descriptive word.
CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. This phrase was popularized by former Secretary of State Alexander Haig. It has a slightly Orwellian ring to it. I’ll admit I still use this one, but I always kick myself afterward.
PROUD. I wrestled a bit with putting this one on the list. Used properly, “proud” is a perfectly good word. The problem is that most people say “proud” when they really mean “impressed.” You can only feel pride if you were instrumental in something happening. If you had little or nothing to do with someone else’s accomplishment, you can only be impressed, not proud.
PLEASE RSVP. This one is simply redundant. “RSVP” is an abbreviation of a French phrase: répondez s’il vous plaît. Translated, the phrase means “please respond.” So, if you say “Please RSVP,” you’re really saying, “Please, please respond.” Unless you’re begging someone to respond, please do not add the unnecessary “please.”
This is fun. I could go on. But, I won’t … for now. I’m looking forward to seeing what other words your readers suggest for the list.
Yes! Those are great, Michael, thanks. “Very unique” especially cracks me up.
Jargon use definitely needs to be toned down when speaking with or writing to donors. I’ve written on this subject in the past too. It may make you sound more important in your own eyes, but it sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher to the donor listening to you.
Exactly! And it makes me cranky. 🙂
Great post, Mary! I’ve also written blog posts about jargon and could add many more to the list. A few that make me cringe are thinking outside the box, impactful, return on investment, and low hanging fruit.
Those are great! What box? What fruit? A friend pointed out that people often use “impact” because they’re uncertain of the correct use of “affect” or “effect”. I wonder if we need to just change the rules of grammar on that one… so many people find it confusing!
Jeremy Kyle drinking game* – do a shot every time someone says “at the end of the day”.
*Don’t play this game IRL as you.will.die.
I can see where that would be dangerous, Crispin!
Mary! I love your lists. My must banish phrase? “If I’m being honest…” Really? No, please lie to me. That’s so much better than being sincere.
Oh my goodness! Yes! As if you’re not in habit of being honest, but just this once…
Good one. Thanks, Shanon.
I love to read about word peeves. Great to remember that we often use these tired is a way to “not speak” to our audience. Keep up the great posts!
Exactly, Beth! Thanks.
Jargon. Must. Die.
Sincerely,
Rickesh
I’m not sure if this is the same but I’ve found in the last few months I use the word just in every other sentence. I was just writing, I just wondered, do you just, can we just, is it just because etc etc, I can’t stop it. Another I hate is ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’. Can’t we * say what we mean, that we all know what we’re doing which we should anyway.
* i deleted a just from here when reading back!
We’ve all got those tics! The trick is to know it and catch it. And sometimes a little bit is *just* fine.
Hi Mary, thanks for getting me on the FaceBook list. It was good reading. Hope to see you soon. Love Mom
Love you too, Mom!
“Make no mistake” …. GAH!
Great example of a phrase that doesn’t really mean anything, right? “No, I think I’d prefer to make a few mistakes”…
ramp up, deep dive, impactful
Yes! I saw “foregrounded” the other day. Good grief!
That’s a skillful answer to a dilfucift question
While that may be true in personal relationships, words — especially bad, overused, outdated marketing ones — can, in fact, hurt people.