Do you get frustrated with the overuse of certain words?
I do not mean to be so pedantic about such a minor thing, but I am.
Just a few words that annoy me include ‘unique’, ‘crisp’ and ‘annoy’.
I think the word ‘unique’ does no justice for what it is trying to say.
(Just because it has a ‘Q’ in it and sounds hoity).
What is wrong with ‘individual’?
It’s just like saying ‘different’ without the negative connotation.
“Oh yes, I did enjoy meeting your girlfriend, though, her sense of humour is ‘different’”
(And just seem preoccupied with the window for the next ten seconds for the awkward silence to pass . . . and yes, there is always a window).
The countless times I read books where the morning is described as ‘crisp’ makes me cringe, literally.
“The air had a bite to it when I opened the door”, appeals to the readers’ senses more.
‘Annoy’ is overused, where ‘irritate’ and ‘frustrate’ can easily suffice.
“Yes, Jim can be ‘annoying’, but Gordon is absolutely ‘irritating’, he just gets to me and Ben is so ‘frustrating’, I have to look away so he does not see my screwed-up face”.
I do not think it is the words that actually irritate me.
It is how they are applied in real conversations and in books and when I see them used again and again where others are more suitable, I vote against them.
I hate it how everything spectacular is just so ‘amazing’, the word itself has lost its dazzle.
I think for something to be described as ‘amazing’, it needs to be a moment of jaw-dropping worth.
(Think of “The Amazing Spider-Man”, in jest).
It shall be saved for when it deserves to shine, not for a time where ‘impressive’ perfectly fits.
Oh, and for the moment of true awe, just use ‘awesome’.