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Triangle Grammar Guide
Longtime N&O journalist Pam Nelson writes about language use and misuse and answers questions about grammar and style. Readers can weigh in on what annoys them, too. Think of this as your online grammar class. Send e-mail to Pam at pam.nelson@newsobserver.com.
Top 10 irritating phrases
Submitted by Pam_Nelson on 11/15/2008 - 08:53
Oxford University researchers have released a top 10 list of irritating phrases. The link is to a British newspaper story that uses "comprises" correctly, by the way.
One word that makes me cringe lately is "enormity." Television journalists speak of the "enormity" of President-elect Barack Obama's tasks once he is inaugurated. I suppose usage is changing, but I still think "enormity" refers to great wickedness, not to great size or importance.
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Pam Nelson
Pam Nelson began her career as a writer in 1976 and has worked in various editing jobs at The News & Observer since 1987. She has won awards for her headline writing and has taught college classes in copy editing and seminars in grammar and usage.
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Comments
i hate
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 12:08 — carbonLib"top ten" lists
irritating phrase
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 10:56 — cruedaddy"at the end of the day...." How Grey's Anatomy of you.
word: "bundle"......bundle this!
Well, I have to say that if
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 10:29 — baldezarWell, I have to say that if that's all that bothers the Brits they have it pretty good. Maybe the compilers of the list have never visited America.
How about the recounting, "I'm like . . ., and then she's like . . ., and then I'm like . . . ."
Is them TV journalists Republicans, saying what they mean?
And our word does come from the French/Latin that means 'enormous.'
makes me cringe
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 09:22 — brookecaini hate the phrase "baby bump" when describing someone who is pregnant.
Cringe indeed
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 15:11 — Pam_Nelson (author)Oh, I don't like "baby bump" either. It's overused and infantile, if you'll pardon the word play.
A former boss forbade the phrase "snail mail" to refer to the U.S. Postal Service. He found the nickname unnecessarily harsh and dismissive. He pointed out what a remarkable job the postal service does in moving millions of pieces of mail every day. His objection opened my eyes, and I have avoided using the term "snail mail" ever since.
Pam Nelson
Triangle Grammar Guide