I don't post much on Facebook, but I put a couple of bits up last week that got quite a good response.Number 1
"In the copy I've edited today was this gem: 'The evening’s presentation by xxx gave a fascinating insight into the application and calibration of electronic torque wrenches.' One can only imagine."
This got more comments/likes/reactions that almost anything else I've ever posted.
Number 2
"There is no excuse for the word 'mentee'."
This also got a reasonable response. When the world eventually comes to its senses and puts me in charge, I shall forbid this word. There is a perfectly fine word to describe someone who is mentored and that word is protege (with accents, but I couldn't get them to appear here). I also hate attendee. What's wrong with 'delegate', 'participant' or 'person who attended'?
What words would you like to banish?
Protégé & participant
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tim.
Delete'Banter' - excuses bullying.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Wendy.
DeleteI don't mind 'attendee' actually but I hate 'mentee' - agree with you on that one! I would ban that awful American word 'HACK' which is appearing everywhere now - not as in 'hack a computer' but as in 'tip' or 'trick' eg: 'The 17 Greatest Life Hacks' which is on the Telegraph website. aaagh! I hate it!
ReplyDeleteYes, now you come to mention it... and given that one of the definitions of'hack' in Chambers is 'to kick or strike the shins' I don't think it's something I want to pursue in my life!
DeleteI would like to banish some words that can't be mentioned here!
ReplyDeleteOther than that - curated. In my opinion, it's used far too lavishly these days - I've seen it in women's magazines to describe a selection of cosmetic products. As far as I'm concerned a public museuem or art gallery is curated. To describe any other collection, even the most humble,seems to me to be ridiculously pretentious. That said, I'm aware that I'm probably being curmudgeonly:)
Some might say curmudgeonly; others might say you're right, Ms Rix. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Delete