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Junk Words
Jun. 5th, 2010 06:08 pmSome phrases I think the Web might be better off without. Like junk food, they're easy and popular, but they don't have any real content.
1. "Wow. Just... wow."
2. "There are no words".
If you haven't got anything to say, it may be better not to say anything!
3. "Fail".
This is now used so often, and so broadly, that it's become meaningless. It might be better to say explicitly what's wrong with the statement or action in question.
4. "Your ass is showing."
This is sometimes used as a gentle or humorous alternative to railing at someone, demanding they apologise, etc, with the hope of avoiding a defensive response. That's an excellent motive, but I think the expression has its drawbacks. Even when it's well-meant, the implication is not "I (and others) strongly object to what you said", but "You're obviously an idiot and everyone is laughing at you". Not only is that likely to prompt a defensive response rather than a constructive one, but it also leaves no room for alternative viewpoints.
5. "You just don't get it."
Sometimes said in understandable frustration. But at other times, used as a Get Out Of Jail Free card when the discussion becomes too challenging. Beware the latter use.
1. "Wow. Just... wow."
2. "There are no words".
If you haven't got anything to say, it may be better not to say anything!
3. "Fail".
This is now used so often, and so broadly, that it's become meaningless. It might be better to say explicitly what's wrong with the statement or action in question.
4. "Your ass is showing."
This is sometimes used as a gentle or humorous alternative to railing at someone, demanding they apologise, etc, with the hope of avoiding a defensive response. That's an excellent motive, but I think the expression has its drawbacks. Even when it's well-meant, the implication is not "I (and others) strongly object to what you said", but "You're obviously an idiot and everyone is laughing at you". Not only is that likely to prompt a defensive response rather than a constructive one, but it also leaves no room for alternative viewpoints.
5. "You just don't get it."
Sometimes said in understandable frustration. But at other times, used as a Get Out Of Jail Free card when the discussion becomes too challenging. Beware the latter use.
