To the editor:
Meghan Daum describes “problematic” as a weasel word. I have issues with other words and phrases. (“Why the weasel word 'problematic' should be banned,” Opinion, July 21)
So, first, there’s the very common and inappropriate use of the word “so” when a person is answering a question. There’s also barking the word “listen” while answering a question and beginning a response with “sure.”
Also, I’m tired of people who believe that using youthful jargon makes them seem hip, as in “takeaway” instead of “what I learned was.” Even the word “conversation” has become the only word used to describe talking between two or more people.
There’s also the ubiquitous use of the word “folks.” I suppose that folks forgot the word “people.” It came from the mouth of President George W. Bush when he referred to terrorists as “folks”—such a casual, cozy term for “terrorist.”
The act of talking has become lazy.
Lynn Leatart, Sherman Oaks
Note from KBJ: Barack Obama uses the word "folks" far more often than George W. Bush did (and always condescendingly). But of course the letter writer would never point that out, because it goes against the narrative of "Bush dumb, Obama smart." While I'm at it, let me condemn the following usages:
- "Concerning," as in "Your tardiness is concerning."
- "Grow the economy" or "grow my business." You grow tomatoes; you don't grow the economy or businesses.
- "Impact" as a verb. What's wrong with "affect," as in "The way I was raised affected me greatly."
- Starting a conversation with "I mean." How can you mean something when you haven't said anything?
- Starting a sentence with "well." Television news reporters are the worst culprits. For example, when Wolf Blitzer introduces Jeff Zeleny, Zeleny says, "Well, Wolf, . . . ."
- "Like," as in "He was like, 'You're not going with us,' and I'm like, 'Why not?'"
- "Sooner rather than later." Whoever thought of this should be disemboweled.
As you were.
