Posted by
Matthew on Friday, November 07, 2008 12:05:47 PM
Oxford has released its list of the
top ten irritating phrases, an annual exercise in futility. Futile, because this seems to spur many to use the phrases just that much more heartily.
Now that the presidential campaign is behind us, I offer a list of phrases and concepts of which I hope to never hear again - largely because they have outlived their collective shelf life and need to be thrown away. Or at least put into the recycling bin.
10.
nuanced - It is one thing to be able to understand a variety of viewpoints on any given issue; it is quite another to apparently adopt none of these viewpoints as one's own. That is not 'nuanced'; that is
indecisive.
9.
vote suppression - It is apparently only 'suppression' when one tries to make sure the only people voting are in compliance with applicable laws. Speaking of which...
8.
the Constitutional right to vote - The U.S. Constitution says that the method of selecting the electors will be left at the discretion of the various states. There are certainly Amendments which limit the ability of the states to deny anyone voting on the basis of gender or race; but there is no Constitutional right to vote. It is a privilege endowed by the states.
7.
unrepentant terrorist - Don't misunderstand; I think the William Ayers thing was never fleshed out the way it should have been; but that phrase has become a punch-line, specifically because it was usually thrown around without supporting quotes, documentation, or any other reason for the wide-eyed faithful to understand what the deal was. It's okay to resurrect this one if Mr. Ayers becomes the minister of Peace and Justice in the new administration.
6.
My friends - especially when used by someone I've never met.
5.
Historic - Every time we change who resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue without shots being fired, that is an historic event. So is each World Series and Superbowl, if you believe the folks selling the videos of those events. So is each day through which I pass without thumping a liberal on the earlobe. Virtually everything that happens has some impact on history. If I had a quarter for every time I heard the election referred to as "historic," I'd...well, I'd have a lot of change. Change that I could believe in, I think.
4.
distractions - A humorous story or a crossword puzzle may be a distraction; an issue that deserves an answer is not.
3.
Community organizer - I have an organizer on my desk; it holds my car keys, a red stapler, and a collection of paper clips. I also have an organizer that I sometimes carry to track appointments and tasks to be completed (these were once known as 'calendars').
2.
Failed policies - Okay in the insurance industry, unless it relates to your personal health insurance. Dropping this phrase will leave Nancy Pelosi with very little to say; but would anyone notice?
1.
Change - unless used in the context of diapers or tires, I'm over this one.