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In lugnet.off-topic.fun, Dave Schuler writes:
> In lugnet.off-topic.fun, Jeff Jardine writes:
>
> > here's a misuse that really
> > cheeses me off: overuse of the word 'impact,' especially as a verb.
> > It used to be a noun meaning a physical collision, but is often used when
> > the speaker should be using 'affect' or 'effect.' The aggravating part is
> > not so much the misuse, but rather the people who use it - they almost
> > always seem to be trying really hard to sound like an expert on whatever
> > topic they're discussing. I'd really like to impact those people right in
> > the head.
>
> As far as I'm aware, the first on-screen use of that "verb" was in Star
> Wars, when someone observed that proton torpedos "didn't go in, just
> impacted on the surface."
My university would always say a major was "currently impacted" instead of
"full." Geez.
>
> > Other pretentious workplace words that are annoying:
> > Functionality - it has a FUNCTION, not FUNCTIONALITY!
> > Methodology - What's wrong with 'method?' Why use five syllalbes when two
> > will do?
>
> "Proactive" is a particular bugaboo re: workplace pretensions, but it
> pales in comparison to "irregardless" and the corrupted use of "flaunt" to
> denote a willful and demonstrative disregard for something (ie, "He flaunted
> my warning and ate the rancid meat anyway.").
There seems this mass delusion that the word "flaunt" is the word "flout".
Why would he wave your warning about in a brazen fashion? I don't get it. :-)
But then I whine about people who seem to think the word "whoop" (yell and
carry on loudly) is the ebonic version of whip (which is "whup"). Maybe
this is just a Fantasy Basketball thing.
While we're at it, I've
> noticed that meteorologists love to refer to "rainshower activity," which
> uses seven syllables when one ("rain") would be just fine.
> But for me, "signage" and "verbiage" cause the most annoyage. I know that
> these words have been around for quite some time, but they still vex me.
>
> > Does anyone else out there has their own linguistic pet peeves? I'm
> > literally all ears. ;)
Popped off about the "whoop" and "impacted" thing too early...
-->Bruce<--
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Geek Speak?
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| (...) As far as I'm aware, the first on-screen use of that "verb" was in Star Wars, when someone observed that proton torpedos "didn't go in, just impacted on the surface." (...) "Proactive" is a particular bugaboo re: workplace pretensions, but it (...) (22 years ago, 12-Nov-02, to lugnet.off-topic.fun, lugnet.off-topic.geek)
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