“SELFIE”
Currently the most hated word on the internet, it is associated it with the word “selfish” and with duck-lipped teens and twenty-somethings adding hourly photos of themselves to social media. “Me at the mall.” “Me at Fred Meyers.” “Me in Mom’s van.” In addition, adding -ie to anything makes it sound stupid.
“LITERALLY”
Overuse has pushed some handy and helpful words into areas where they do not belong. When used correctly, “literally” means “in the strictest sense” and it should not swap out with “virtually.”
No!
“I literally laughed myself to death.”
You are talking and breathing so I am going to call you on that.
Yes!
“It was pouring; the dog came inside literally soaked to her skin.”
This is physically possible and therefore correct.
“AMAZING”
One blogger states that “amazing” is so overused that it nearly brings physical pain to her. This word should indicate an overwhelming wonder or great surprise, with the root pointing to confused and stunned astonishment (Old and Middle English, pre-1000). Because “stun” appears repeatedly in the definition, it seems to be a word drained of its strength by internet drama. “Amazing” is regularly found in incredibly underwhelming sentences.
“This cup of tea is amazing.”
Is your mouth hanging open as you stare into your cup? Are you paralyzed in astonishment?
No!
“The view of Mt. St. Helens was amazing.”
Volcanos can be amazing, especially when erupting.
Yes!
“NO OFFENSE”
This phrase always accompanies a statement that is guaranteed to offend the listener. Internet folk seem to see it as a lazy way to pre-excuse a mouthful of rudeness.
For instance:
“No offense, but you have bad breath and you can’t dance. Also, you’re ugly.”
“CAPS LOCK”
This is not a word or phrase but an action, yet it drives people to such a rage that it must be mentioned. To those who use the internet much, writing with the caps lock on is akin to screaming.
Sample chatroom conversation:
SomeFella: Hi Bob, how are you?
BobTheDude: FINE, HOW ARE YOU?
SomeFella: Whoa, caps off, Dude!
Currently the most hated word on the internet, it is associated it with the word “selfish” and with duck-lipped teens and twenty-somethings adding hourly photos of themselves to social media. “Me at the mall.” “Me at Fred Meyers.” “Me in Mom’s van.” In addition, adding -ie to anything makes it sound stupid.
“LITERALLY”
Overuse has pushed some handy and helpful words into areas where they do not belong. When used correctly, “literally” means “in the strictest sense” and it should not swap out with “virtually.”
No!
“I literally laughed myself to death.”
You are talking and breathing so I am going to call you on that.
Yes!
“It was pouring; the dog came inside literally soaked to her skin.”
This is physically possible and therefore correct.
“AMAZING”
One blogger states that “amazing” is so overused that it nearly brings physical pain to her. This word should indicate an overwhelming wonder or great surprise, with the root pointing to confused and stunned astonishment (Old and Middle English, pre-1000). Because “stun” appears repeatedly in the definition, it seems to be a word drained of its strength by internet drama. “Amazing” is regularly found in incredibly underwhelming sentences.
“This cup of tea is amazing.”
Is your mouth hanging open as you stare into your cup? Are you paralyzed in astonishment?
No!
“The view of Mt. St. Helens was amazing.”
Volcanos can be amazing, especially when erupting.
Yes!
“NO OFFENSE”
This phrase always accompanies a statement that is guaranteed to offend the listener. Internet folk seem to see it as a lazy way to pre-excuse a mouthful of rudeness.
For instance:
“No offense, but you have bad breath and you can’t dance. Also, you’re ugly.”
“CAPS LOCK”
This is not a word or phrase but an action, yet it drives people to such a rage that it must be mentioned. To those who use the internet much, writing with the caps lock on is akin to screaming.
Sample chatroom conversation:
SomeFella: Hi Bob, how are you?
BobTheDude: FINE, HOW ARE YOU?
SomeFella: Whoa, caps off, Dude!