From time to time I use the following words earnestly, but incorrectly. On this day, 17 September 2012, I have decided to use them less in the future–if possible not at all. I won’t explain entirely why, and I’ll let you speculate if you choose.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Cathartic[/highlight]– When I say what I mean to say I will instead say “life-giving” or even “salubrious” instead of this word. When I want to say what this word actually means, I’ll say “Diarrhetic” –and will likely be in the company of the doctor, not a dinner party.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Panacea[/highlight]– If it only cures one thing it’s not a panacea, so I’ll only use this when I truly mean something new is curing all things. Perhaps Christ’s blood is the only true panacea.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Disinterested[/highlight]– I’m uninterested in using this word anymore in the wrong way.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Haberdashery[/highlight]– I’ve yet to see a button seller outside of a Dickens novel. Too bad. This one was nice while it lasted.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Fortuitous[/highlight]– I’ll say “lucky” instead, or “providential.”
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Literally[/highlight]– I’ll say, “practically,” since “That salsa was so hot I was literally breathing fire” is a statement only a real-life dragon should say.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Notorious[/highlight]– I’ll stick with “infamous,” as anyone of notability merits this word.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Peruse[/highlight]– A word so misused it’s defined by it’s misuse at times. I never “use thoroughly” when I mean to “peruse” something.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Instant[/highlight]– Really? What have I actually done in an instant? Minute rice tells the truth. Instant rice lies.
[highlight class=”highlight_yellow” style=””]Nostalgia[/highlight]– A longing for the past is not as precise as longing for home. The past is not home, and never will be, and we can’t go to the past–while we can always go home.
How about you? What’s your take on words you’re going to use less, or that you think others should?
From time to time I use the following words earnestly, but incorrectly. On this day, 17 September 2012, I have decided to use them less in the future–if possible not at all. I won’t explain entirely why, and I’ll let you speculate if you choose.
Cathartic does have two meanings, though. As with many terms influenced by Freudian psychology, it can be the diarrhetic-like release of emotions that one has been holding onto subconsciously. Okay, that was a gross word picture. But wait, there’s more. You will also have to throw the temperaments out of your speech, as sanguine means bloody and phlegmatic means phlemy, while melancholy and choleric both relate back to the same subject of cathartic, even though they refer to the specific color. Try to get that out of your mind the next time someone says, “I don’t think I’m up for a party, I’m a melancholy.” BTW, were you using Haberdashery a lot in your everyday speech? 🙂
Yes, I was using Haberdashery from time to time. I am that much of a nerd, yes.
Also: I knew there was some reason I deep down despised those terms for temperaments. What was up with Dr. Freud… fixations galore!
Basically, I would like to stop starting so many sentences with that word. If something is “basic” then it should speak for itself. I’d also like to eliminate the phrase “just give me a second” from my vocabulary.
Basically I feel the same way. 🙂
Honestly. It makes it sound as if honesty is the last thing one should expect.
Good one. Yep – me to
As a wanna-be scientist, “literally” bothers me the most, when people just want to say, “very, very” or “extremely.” “I literally went through the roof” … no you didn’t! (unless you were the sick man brought to Jesus, in the downward direction). Sigh…
I guess in the case I provided, it would mean “almost”.
This should be on the list for sure
“Haberdashery” has become infamous in our household. Many moons ago, I burst into our apartment declaring the very messy trunk of my car to be a haberdashery. Then we looked looked it up…
classic!