Comments on: Our Obsession With “Real” Words

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 13:40:27 +0000

In reply to Lori. I'm with you on the "I" words, Lori. ;-) I did love the video even though I, too, was probably not quite as forgiving on some of those choices. That's what makes the world go round. ;-)

By: Word Use, Usage Panels and Other Pronouncements About Language

Word Use, Usage Panels and Other Pronouncements About Language — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:50:52 +0000

[…] A week or so ago Cathy Miller, who among other writing is the creator of A Baby Boomers Second Life, posted an article called Our Obsession with ‘Real Words’. […]

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 14:03:32 +0000

She included “hangry.” I love it. 🙂

What a great video! It’s so neat to see how words are decided on. I might have a bit of argument on a few of those choices, but it’s neat to see how our language changes.

Ashley, I was a bit fluffed up about “impactful” as well. My peeve has always been “incentivize.”

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 22:12:58 +0000

In reply to Anne Wayman. Thanks, Anne. I discovered it while doing research for a client post regarding an overused word in wellness programs. I didn't use it for the client post but so loved it, I decided to use it here. :-)

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 22:12:02 +0000

In reply to Ashley.

OMG, Ashley, you hit on one of my pet peeves, too! Irregardless! Another is “early on”. Always has me wanting to shout – early on what??

BTW – OMG has the squiggly line, too, but BTW does not. 😀

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 18:37:22 +0000

What a delightful ted talk! How did you find it. I’m all for new words. I love adorkable language.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:18:34 +0000

Very interesting! I generally welcome new words that can seem trendy at the time. The most important part of communication, of course, is whether we understand one another. If I say “defriend” and you know exactly what I mean, I’m OK with that. Breaking the rules of proper English and grammar can sometimes be OK. That said, I have some pet-peeves that will probably always make my skin crawl. “Irregardless” and (heaven forbid) “impactful” are at the top of the list. (Perhaps most disturbing is that “defriend” and “impactful” have the red, squiggly you-spelled-it-wrong line underneath them as I type this comment, but “irregardless” doesn’t!)