Kathleen Valenti

Peevish

My son is home from college, and in addition to hauling along what seems to be a semester of dirty laundry, he’s brought a whole new vocabulary.

I embrace linguistic trends. To me, they point to a language that’s alive and well. (Not a lot of new words and phrases in Latin.) And while I can, no cap, talk about how bussin his new drip is without getting salty, there are certain words that just make me peevish.

There’s “moist,” which seems to be a staple on the Most Hated Words list. Unless we’re talking baked goods, I’d prefer almost any synonym for slightly damp.

I’m also not over-fond of “phlegm,” and not just because I can’t seem to spell it correctly. I’ll put “viscous” in the same category, right along with “lugubrious.”

Speaking of phlegm, there are a host of medicalish words that set my teeth on edge, including “fester,” “clog,” “pustule,” and “secrete,” all of which make me queasy (also no fun to spell).

Evidently, there’s a science to my verbal animosity. Per Google—and Doctors Jason Riggle and David Eagleman—certain sound combinations lack the melodious quality that the human ear craves. While “fluency” and “lyrical” tend to be easy on the ears, “virulent” and even “peevish” are as aurally jarring as me singing karaoke.

The onomatopoeic quality of words also holds sway. Witness “munch,” “slurp,” and “squirt,” which feel like bad manners at best.

On the other hand, the connotations of certain words make them more unlikable (see “roaches” and “jowls”), as well as the influence of the larger cultural lexicon, which perhaps explains my disdain for words like “panties,” “literally,” and “whatever.”

Corporate buzzwords found in Zoom Meeting Bingo also make my no-fly list:

Synergy

Right-size

Hard stop

Unpacking

Looping in

Ping

Just…no. And also…yes. I confess to using some of the above. (I know, I know.)

All that being said, I do enjoy using jarring words for effect in my writing, which is why characters are often found engaging in such verbs as “smearing” and “gurgling,” and nouns are often graced with descriptors such as “curdled” and “bulbous.”

The truth is, words have power. As many a mom has said, it’s not just what you say but how you say it—and in writing, that often comes down to vocabulary and diction.

So as I settle into my chunky chair, ready to hurl words onto the page, I’d like to know…what words are on your Not So Favorite list?

41 thoughts on “Peevish”

  3. What fun! Since my characters are older, I like to collect words from another era, like spectacles and trousers. Even handkerchief. Anyone have any words for me like that? Anyone think the current words of our children will stick?

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    2. hestia here,

      dungarees is definitely a word for you.

      my favorite list of words is the lingo from the 1940s. Trying to use those in context so the reader would know what it means is tricky sometimes.

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    3. Susan, we’re two peas in a pod! I love using old-fashioned words in my books, especially slang since some of it is fantastic and needs to make a comeback. There are also many opportunities for humor with it.

      And Kathy, I love this post. The cringiest word to me, though, is “arguably.” First, everything is arguable. Pick a side! Don’t say, “Becky Clark is arguably the worst tap dancer in history.” Say “Becky Clark IS the worst tap dancer in history” and then prove your thesis. (Not difficult in this case, but you know what I mean.)

      One thing I do love about language and clever people are portmanteaus. Bacne. Bromance. Frenemy. Netiquette. Sexcapades. Infotainment. C’mon! You know exactly what those mean!

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  4. I don’t know that there are any words in my personal no-fly list. Though, I do think “awesome” has been used so much in recent years.

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  5. Such fun, Kathy! Is typing those no-fly words as annoying as hearing them? When I type, I tend to hear the words in my head, loud and way-too-clear. Which may be why I hate the word Styrofoam. Others hate the sound of nails on a chalkboard, but anything touching Styrofoam….aaagh!!! Which may be why it’s my unfavoritest word of all.

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  6. I still call the refrigerator an icebox. When I was teaching, it was the end of the year, and I was in charge of cleaning out the fridge in the English teacher’s workroom. I told everyone that they needed to get whatever they wanted to save out of the icebox. Another teacher said to all if you don’t know, she means the refrigerator. Words on my do not use list are some of those medical ones you mentioned, but also body parts named, woke, give it up for, and lit to name a few. Many decorator words are peevish to say the least. I am sure that I will think of a lot more once I send this comment.

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  7. I generally do not dislike words based on a sound. I do, however, get absolutely livid when a) you get hammered with those corporate buzzwords (my latest – upskill, I mean honestly), or b) people don’t understand the meaning (my latest – valedictorian and salutatorian have NOTHING to do with academics as such; they are the people who give a welcoming – salutatory – or farewell – valedictory – speech at a ceremony and the honor for academic ceremonies such as a graduation is often given to the students with the highest and second-highest GPA). Grr.

    Off my soapbox on that one.

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  8. hestia here,

    shoot, vocabulary changes so fast that by the time I decide I hate a word, it’s no longer being used.

    I think what bothers me most is people who just don’t look the right part using words. I cringe every time the hubbs says “you go, girl!” That’s just so wrong coming out of his mouth.

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  9. Honestly, it may not work for everyone, but if you purchase a pair of hearing aids and tune the words, phrases out- it’s actually glorious! Unfortunately, if the hearing aids are turned off, you’re also muffling out every single word, soooo. It’s a wonderful tool for avoidance.

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  10. Subledger. It has been so overused at work that I want to never hear the word again. Rather hard since, as an accountant, I deal with it all the time. (Personally, if we went back to calling it support, I’d be perfectly fine.)

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  11. I don’t have words that get on my nerve based on sound. But I do get confused about words that have different meanings, like slang terms that my kids are tossing around. Example: low-key, where they actually don’t mean quiet…

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  12. “Moist” is definitely high on my list of words I prefer not to encounter (except, as you say, for baked goods!). And I’ve always loathed the word “panties”–ick!

    But I’m sure I annoy young whippersnappers when I use words from my youth such as “boss!” and “groovy!” (Okay, I never actually use “groovy,” but I’ve always had a fondness for “boss.)

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