Words you dislike? Or really like?

[freshmanjs]

I've never heard it misused. Seriously.

I've heard people use it when they mean to say the very best or the peak example of.

[brevity]

The oft misused "penultimate."

I've never heard it misused. Seriously.

I've heard people use it when they mean to say the very best or the peak example of.

“In my opinion, Mont Blanc makes the most exquisite ink-filled writing instrument. It’s the penultimate.”

[swood1000]

I'm not a fan of using "myself" instead of "me", for instance, in the sentence "if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact Joe or myself." People these days don't know the difference between the subject of a sentence and the object of a sentence and so they're afraid of just using "me" because they're not sure and think it might be wrong. So they use "myself" instead of "me" which, according to Dictionary.com, is acceptable as an informal use, but I still don't like it.

As far as "me" and "I" are concerned, I've even been falsely chastised and corrected for correctly using "me" as the object (e.g., "Leave a message for Andy or me") by really bright, educated people who think it should be "...Andy or I". My manager uses "I" as the object of a sentence all the time, even in writing when she has a chance to review what she wrote and correct herself. I don't understand why people find this aspect of grammar so difficult. I hear smart people in all walks of life, including newscasters, reporters, and other television personalities, incorrectly use "I" as the object of a sentence and it drives me up a wall.

If you're doing it, it's "I"
If it's being done to you, it's "me", not "I" or "myself"
When in doubt, take out the other person and see if it sounds right

Also, if the verb ‘to be’ is linking the subject with the pronoun it takes a subject pronoun (I, we, he, she, they) rather than an object pronoun (me, us, him, her, them).

It was she and I. We are they. I am he. It should have been we.

On the other hand:

He found her and me. We saw them. I spotted him. It caught us.

If it’s the object of a prepositional phrase use the object pronoun.

It was for me. It was from her. It was for her and me. It is up to them.

[jimsumner]

Joe Schmo has made his last 15 free throws in a row.

[swood1000]

Joe Schmo has made his last 15 free throws in a row.

Good for him. It could have been I.

[BD80]

Joe Schmo has made his last 15 free throws in a row.

Which row? I imagine some present a more difficult shot than others ...

[OldPhiKap]

“Modern Classic” — puh-lease.

[mgtr]

I refer those interested in the use and misuse of words to Edwin Newman's excellent two books.

[jimsumner]

“Modern Classic” — puh-lease.

Is that worse than "instant classic?"

[Tripping William]

Over time on this board, I have become a particular fan of seeing the word “churlish.”

[jimmymax]

Sooooo, you'd boycott these Attachment 8398ine Attachment 8398olks in Derm, purveyors of tasty ales:

Attachment 8398

As in:

Attachment 8398ullsteam Brewery.

I would, unless it's the Rocket Science IPA -- not a fan of much else...

[jimmymax]

I'm not a fan of using "myself" instead of "me", for instance, in the sentence "if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact Joe or myself." People these days...

People vs. Persons?

[BD80]

Over time on this board, I have become a particular fan of seeing the word “churlish.”

Seeing the word used or brought to mind?

[Tripping William]

Seeing the word used or brought to mind?

Used -- usually preceding some kind of fact-based, spot-on smack-down -- by the inimitable (another favorite word) Jim Sumner. I know Jim's about to bring the thunder when he starts a post with "Would it be churlish of me to suggest . . . . . "

[Indoor66]

Used -- usually preceding some kind of fact-based, spot-on smack-down -- by the inimitable (another favorite word) Jim Sumner. I know Jim's about to bring the thunder when he starts a post with "Would it be churlish of me to suggest . . . . . "

Good vocabulary permits economy of words and clarity in communication.

[rsvman]

Just thought of another that I am fond of for no particular reason: supercilious.

Superfluous is pretty good, too, although it's sometimes a bit harder to say.

[Reddevil]

I find "extraordinary" amusing when dissected.

[Reilly]

I really like ... benevolent ...

... Benevolent is a nice one as well.

Didn't Jeb Bush have a funny line at his mother's funeral, where he quoted her as saying she ran a "benevolent dictatorship" and Jeb quipped something along the lines of "to be honest, it wasn't all that benevolent."

[dudog84]

I finally got around to reading this thread because after watching the U.S. Open this weekend I have something to contribute.

Words I dislike/despise: Any word or phrase shouted by some nimrod after the player strikes his ball. This includes "bababooie", "dilly dilly", "you da man", "get it big guy", etc. A special spot in h*ll for anyone who screams "GET IN THE HOLE" after the tee shot on a par 5.

Since I don't want to be a complete downer, and since someone already noted "discombobulated" (how come no one is ever described as combobulated?), one of my favorite words is "cahoots". Partly because it really can't be used by itself, you have to be "in cahoots". Which is fun, because it means something is afoot. Which, btw, is another great word.

[jimsumner]

I finally got around to reading this thread because after watching the U.S. Open this weekend I have something to contribute.

Words I dislike/despise: Any word or phrase shouted by some nimrod after the player strikes his ball. This includes "bababooie", "dilly dilly", "you da man", "get it big guy", etc. A special spot in h*ll for anyone who screams "GET IN THE HOLE" after the tee shot on a par 5.

Since I don't want to be a complete downer, and since someone already noted "discombobulated" (how come no one is ever described as combobulated?), one of my favorite words is "cahoots". Partly because it really can't be used by itself, you have to be "in cahoots". Which is fun, because it means something is afoot. Which, btw, is another great word.

Agree.

You Da Man!!