My list of 10 most overused, phrases, language conventions & locutions of 2014. (English version). Ok, ’tis the season for this kind of thing so here’s my list:
#1: Worst. Conventions. Of. 2014. This. Convention. Intended. To. Impart. Serious. Emphasis. Must. Stop. Now.
#2: Disruption. We don’t invent anymore. We disrupt. As in a “startup” such as Uber disrupts the old taxi service business model; or Airbnb disrupting the hotel business. Ok, we get it. Now everything and everyone is “disrupting.” Whatever happened to “New and Improved?” Let’s disrupt disrupting. Or maybe just start inventing and re-inventing again. Please.
#3: Adorable Especially when attributed to puppy and kitten videos. Along with variants such as “adorkable” when describing Zoey Deschanel and Aubrey Plaza.
#4: Jaw dropping. Extremely surprised? Must everything that barely exceeds mediocre be announced with Taylor Swiftian open-mouthed astonishment. Let’s hit the pause on jaws.
#5: How’s that working out for you? This one’s been hanging around for years now and shows no sign of weariness. Answer: It’s not working out for me.
#6: Let’s do this thing. Why are we still hearing this decades-old locution? Leftovers from old Die Hard movies are still being served up in today’s violent video games of auto theft and warcraft. Let’s don’t do this thing anymore.
#7: BenedictCumberbatch. Apparently some kind of famous something with weirdly beautiful eyes women want to blow. Anyway, let’s stop this Cumberbatching and start Cumberbitching.
#8: She “rocks” a bikini; he “rocks” a tuxedo. Or, I would totally “rock” that jacket. Ok, to wear something and look totally cool in it, or make a major attitude statement by wearing it.. We get it. You would look pretty good in that car, coat, shoe etc. but I’m tired of rocking. Just wear the damn thing…or not.
#9: Behead. Beheaded. Beheading.. Fortunately, this word did not become meme-y this year (maybe “meme” should be in this list.) But do media outlets have to blare the word “beheaded” whenever ISIS or whatever terror group kills a hostage? Isn’t it enough to just report that the victim was murdered? Why satisfy and reward these psychopaths by describing how they actually killed someone. Are we titillated by the concept of a human head being severed from its torso? Let’s kill this death description not only for its goryness but to deny terrorists their media glory. I’m relieved ISIS doesn’t have a wood chipper.
#10: Lists. The top ten reasons people used to smoke in the bathroom in 1946. Five most wildly popular sex positions when Jesus walked the streets of Nazareth. Fifteen reasons why the uncle is always described as drunk at Thanksgiving dinner. Top ten list of worst and overused words and phrases. Hmmmm.
Mediaize 