. My nuts-driving word isn't a mis-speak -- it's a perfectly acceptable word -- but 'utilize' is my all-time hate. It means nothing more than 'use', but sounds pompous and inflated. If the character is a government type, who's deliberately using government-speak, it's understandable. But more often, I see it in simple, ordinary sentences like, "Blair utilized the colander to drain the spaghetti." Aargh!
Another that's quickly rising on the list, and may soon become #1, is 'questioned' in place of 'asked'. Again, it's a legitimate word, but in my opinion it should be reserved for suspects, perps, and similar dicey situations. Instead, I see it in very ordinary circumstances and sentences. EG: "How was your day?" he questioned. Double-aargh! .
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My nuts-driving word isn't a mis-speak -- it's a perfectly acceptable word -- but 'utilize' is my all-time hate. It means nothing more than 'use', but sounds pompous and inflated. If the character is a government type, who's deliberately using government-speak, it's understandable. But more often, I see it in simple, ordinary sentences like, "Blair utilized the colander to drain the spaghetti." Aargh!
Another that's quickly rising on the list, and may soon become #1, is 'questioned' in place of 'asked'. Again, it's a legitimate word, but in my opinion it should be reserved for suspects, perps, and similar dicey situations. Instead, I see it in very ordinary circumstances and sentences. EG: "How was your day?" he questioned. Double-aargh!
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