Tag Archives: words

No, That’s Not ADORKable: Words That Need to Be Retired–Now

Julie GersteinDecember 7, 2011 //
Worst Words of 2009
The phrases we couldn't stand in 2009. Read More »
2010's Worst Words
The most annoying words and phrases from 2010. Read More »
Annoying Tech Talk
Geeky terms that drive us crazy. Read More »

I blame Zooey Deschanel. Not just because I blame Zooey Deschanel for most of my problems — why men in my demographic seem to all want some unattainable manic pixie dream girl, why my bangs will never be perfect — but I specifically blame her for the rise of the word “Adorkable.” Deschanel used it on her new TV show “The New Girl” and somehow, inexplicably, it has taken hold. And it is a terrible word.

But “adorkable”–which we assume means something or someone that’s both dorky and adorable–is hardly the only newish term that’s made a creeping rise into our vocabularies and the general consciousness. We’ve come to cringe at a variety of oft-heard terms. Below, the words, phrases and annoying sayings that we’re hoping we won’t hear in 2012. And please, feel free to add your own “adorkables” in the comments. Keep reading »

Outrage! “Cassette Tape” Removed From The Oxford English Dictionary

Julie GersteinAugust 23, 2011 //

Do you want to feel old? Really old? While words like sexting, jeggings and mankini have found their way into the collective consciousness, one term has been exorcised forever from the official record of English language — “cassette tape.” According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “cassette tape” will no longer appear in future editions of the publication, having been replaced by tons of text speak, such as LOL, OMG, and <3. Yes, the text sign for “love” is the OED, but cassette tape is not. And this, my friends, is just WRONG. Keep reading »

“LOL,” “OMG,” “♥” And “Muffin Top” Added To The Oxford English Dictionary

Kate Torgovnick/Kate-Book.comMarch 25, 2011 //

OMFG, I am LMAO. Apparently, the Oxford English Dictionary announced some new additions to its iconic pages this week. A few of the words being taken into the fold: “LOL,” “OMG,” and “♥.” And yes, they are fully aware of the fact that these are not actually words. The OED calls them “initialisms” and explains “there often seems to be a bit more than simple abbreviation going on.” They say the expressions can be an “informal, gossipy mode of expression” or can “parody the level of unreflective enthusiasm or overstatement that can sometimes appear in online discourse.” So highbrow for text talk, no?

Also interesting: apparently, the first use of OMG appeared in a letter in 1917. And LOL goes back to 1960, only then it meant “little old lady.” Keep reading »

What Do The Words “Spillcam,” “Vuvuzela,” And “Refudiate” All Have In Common?

Ami AngelowiczNovember 16, 2010 //

“Spillcam,” “vuvuzela,” and “refudiate” are three of the most important words of 2010. Yup! The Global Language Monitor has just announced its all-important list of the top ten words of the year. Oooh, this is fun. It feels strangely scholastic, doesn’t it? Oh well, let’s go with it. The full list of the most important words of 2010 after the jump. Please note: your pop quiz on all the words and definitions will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. Extra credit will be given to Friskians who can use all ten words in a sentence. Uh oh, my former teacher is showing. Keep reading »

The Strange Evolution Of The Word “Dude”

Kate Torgovnick/Kate-Book.comJuly 23, 2010 //

Maybe two years ago, a strange word came out of my mouth: “dude.” I don’t know why it came to mind or what inspired me to use it exactly. But next thing I knew, the word was back in full force and, oh, pretty much everyone was saying it. So I was very excited to see a piece titled “History of the ‘Dude’” on a website called Good today. The piece charts the different uses of the word, and shows that it has gone through quite an evolution in the years. It started off in the 1800s being a word to describe a man who went slightly overboard with his penchant for fashion, kind of like the word “dandy.” Then in the American West, it took on the new connotation of a city dweller visiting a ranch. Keep reading »

25 Words And Phrases We Want To Retire

Wendy AtterberrySeptember 2, 2009 //

There are some words and phrases that we here at The Frisky are so over hearing that whenever one of us utters one, someone else says, “Can we retire that word yet?” So far we haven’t been successful in coaxing any of the words into a condo in Boca Raton to live out their Golden Years in relative silence. But maybe if we all work together, we can limit their appearance in everyday speech. After the jump, words and phrases we’re ready to see retire! Keep reading »

20 Words That Gross Us Out More Than “Moist”

Catherine StrawnAugust 7, 2009 //

Moist is a word a lot of people seem to hate. In an article on GOOD, the writer resurrects a word-aversion discussion about that and other words.

Back in 2007, Salon covered the “moist” debate, pointing out that women might not like it because it reminds us of yeast infections or sexual arousal, rather than cakes baked to perfection. For whatever reason, there are certain words that people love to hate. They just don’t sound right, or they bring about bad memories.

Moist doesn’t bother us so much, but there are a few other words that get our panties in a twist, including panty (singular is worse than plural). Keep reading »

Yo, Dude! The Origins of Common Slang Words

DivineCaroline.comJuly 26, 2009 //

Slang is defined as an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.

In other words, slang can be “a dope spin on a sick word that deserves props for being mad fly, yo.” Keep reading »

Words We Want Banished In 2009

Wendy AtterberryJanuary 2, 2009 //

Lake Superior State University released its 34th version of their annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness earlier this week. Inspired by interest in the environment, frenzy over politics, and the economic downturn, the 15 entries selected from over 5,000 nominations include:

1. GREEN
“If something is good for the environment, just say so. As Kermit would say, ‘It isn’t easy being green.’” Kevin Sherlock, Hiawatha, Iowa.

2. CARBON FOOTPRINT or CARBON OFFSETTING
“It is now considered fashionable for everyone, tree hugger or lumberjack alike, to pay money to questionable companies to ‘offset’ their own ‘carbon footprint.’ What a scam! Get rid of it immediately!” Ginger Hunt, London, England.

3. MAVERICK
“The constant repetition of this word for months before the US election diluted whatever meaning it previously had. Even the comic offshoot ‘mavericky’ was terribly overused. A minimum five-year banishment of both words is suggested so they will not be available during the next federal election.” Matthew Mattila, Green Bay, Wisc. Keep reading »