The overused word of the century

The Bing Blog ^ | 9/3/08 | Stanley Bing

[wbill]

I was at a meeting yesterday, one of those painful presentations where a guy comes in, does twenty minutes of PowerPoint, and nearly turns his entire career to suet. That is neither here nor there. I mean, those things happen all the time. This time, it was Badnick’s turn.

What was interesting to me is that in the middle of the debacle, I heard a small snap. It was the sound of a straw breaking a camel’s back. During the meeting, I realized that a certain word has now been so overused, so over-extended, so bled of any meaning, freshness or appropriateness, that it must now be retired.

That word is Leverage.

I believe I first noticed its widespread acceptance perhaps twenty years ago...(snip)

[SirAllen]

Whoops, wrong thread. How the heck did that happen?

[Mugwump]

Well, at the end of the day, my vote would have to go to, well, “at the end of the day.”

Yes, I know that’s not a word, but I don’t care. Back in the day, when I was a young pup —

That’s another one that drives me nuts! I must be day-a-phobic or something...

[Isabel C.]

My pick is the generic, empty, overused word “cool”. It seems as though just about everything today is described as or advertised as being “cool”. If everything is supposedly “cool”, then what exactly does “cool” mean?

[Allegra]

"Basically" was the overused word a few years back. Enough attention was given to it that use seems to have "basically" decreased.

My current least favorite phrase: "It is what it is."

[Between the Lines]

I am beginning to hate the word network.

The most overused word of all times...

Love

[Red Badger]

Actually, I think Actually is Actually the most overused word in the English language.

Basically I think you are basically correct. Basically................

[Textide]

You’re talking about ordinary people...doing extraordinary things!

[renosathug]

Conference calls where the first fifteen minutes are spent asking, “Who just joined?”

[beezdotcom]

I can’t stand referring to everyone as “stakeholders”.

[Crawdad]

Is “at the end of the month” 30 times more powerful than “at the end of the day”?

[HIDEK6]

My pet peeve is "create."

Everybody's creating things,. We don't make, compose, author or recite anymore. Everybody's creating.

[Red Badger]

Actually, “basically” has been replaced by “actually”, basically.......

[wbill]

What phrase I absolute hate is "going forward"

You ever catch the Dilbert about that? Boss uses the phrase "on a going-forward basis" and Dilbert says "Uh-oh, now he gets the concept of time".

Well, maybe you had to be there. It was pretty darn funny, though.

[wally_bert]

My choices are "issues" and task when used a verb! Management buzzwords have always annoyed me anyway.

[Inyo-Mono]

When I used to have to go to those stupid meetings, “think outside the box,” and “core competency” were the two big phrases.

And have you noticed that those who use the term "think outside the box" are usually those most unable to?

[Rightly Biased]

I never answer.

and I just press # witout stating my name too.

I’m such a rebel

[Red Badger]

I don't mind that phase.

You mean, not so much?...............

[HIDEK6]

Basically I think you are basically correct. Basically................

Absolutely!

[Cecily]

No, you must use “lookit” for “look.”

[Mugwump]

And another thing! What’s up with this “meme” meme?