We all have them - friends who use words and/or phrases that annoy us every time we hear them. Yet, people persist in saying them, probably because they've become imbedded in their vocabulary. And, yes, we often catch ourselves using these same words or phrases.

Here are 11 overused words/phrases your friends — and you — absolutely need to stop saying:

"Like"

The word "like" has become a pause for a breath, and many of our friends are breathing more often than they need to, interrupting even the most common sentence. It's probably one of the most annoying words we insert into speech, and shouldn't be used as an interrupter after almost every single word.

"You know"

This one happens to land in sentences such as, "I can't believe it, you know?" or "I'm going "¦ you know "¦ to the store." It's like saying "um" repeatedly during conversation only longer and more disruptive, you know?

Um

Speaking of "um," you know, it's rather annoying, um, to be, um, saddled with this, um, particular mode of, um, speech. This way, um, you don't have to, um, say more than you, um, need, um, to because, um, you can insert um into the conversation and create, um, a stronger string of, um, words. Delete. Delete. Delete — from your vocabulary.

Shut up!

"I'm going to Disneyworld!" Their answer: "Shut up!" Does that mean you don't want me to talk about it anymore or do you say that because you are incredulous that I am really going to Disneyworld? Why not try, "That is so exciting"?

Dude

You may not remember a name, or maybe are too lazy to be respectful, but hopefully you will try harder next time you are in a conversation with someone over 16.

Hashtag

Everyone, I am not Twitter! People get tired of hearing this. Please talk in a normal way without using hashtags. Use your voice to emphasize certain parts of your words. #Thanks!

Freakin'

What's up with this word? It is so close to that other "F" word, but you hear it all the time and so often. What role does it actually play in the scheme of language?

Abbreviations

Not the word "abbreviations," but abbreviations: OMG, Bae, Totes (totally), BFF, BTW, etc. Maybe that's how new languages are created. Think of this new sentence: "OMG, BTW, my BFF is a Totes Bae." What will linguists think of us in about 50 years? Help, word police!

Whatever

This may be the most overused word in our modern vocabulary. Of course, it transitioned from the "so" or "so what" era of a few decades ago. Apparently, each decade or so - i.e. generation - needs its own word to show disinterest or boredom.

Just saying

This phrase is a challenge. Someone will post some phrase on a photo that is clever or makes a bold statement, and then add, "Just saying." It's unnecessary. Just saying.

Seriously/literally

While seriously and literally are seriously good words, they probably ought to be used sparingly and only when seriously needed in a sentence.

And a bonus

Fingers doing "quotation marks"

(With the appropriate bending of the fingers like bunny ears)

While this might not be a phrase, it becomes "annoying." And how many times are you even supposed to bend the fingers to add emphasis?

If you are trying to impress — or simply not bug — your friends, try to eliminate these words or phrases from your vocabulary. And when you tell your friends they need to stop saying these words or phrases, be gentle. Seriously.

nextarticle
Close Ad