Is it normal that misused words and phrases bug me?

Anyone else bugged by misused words? There are many but here are the most common ones you hear, usually on radio or even TV news. These folks were supposed to be educated writers which makes it more the aggravating.

1. "Infamous" All time worst misused and its very common. Infamous means "known for immense evil. It does not mean "really really famous". This mistake is common on the "news", especally sports reporters.

2. "Very unique" Used a lot describing homes for sale. Unique means "ONE of a kind" It either is, or it isn't. "Unique' can not be modified with very, most, or even "sort of".

3. "All of the net proceeds will go to charity". The "proceeds" are what is left of the revenue (or donations) after all expenses are paid. It is already "net", that is built into the word. The word net in "net proceeds" is redundant. It is just "proceeds" not "net proceeds"

What other misused words are common?

Voting Results
96% Normal
Based on 26 votes (25 yes)
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Comments ( 25 )
  • kupokupo

    I hole-hardedly agree, but allow me to play doubles advocate here for a moment. For all intensive purposes I think you are wrong. In an age where false morals are a diamond dozen, true virtues are a blessing in the skies. We often put our false morality on a petal stool like a bunch of pre-Madonnas, but you all seem to be taking something very valuable for granite. So I ask of you to mustard up all the strength you can because it is a doggy dog world out there. Although there is some merit to what you are saying it seems like you have a huge ship on your shoulder. In your argument you seem to throw everything in but the kids Nsync, and even though you are having a feel day with this I am here to bring you back into reality. I have a sick sense when it comes to these types of things. It is almost spooky, because I cannot turn a blonde eye to these glaring flaws in your rhetoric. I have zero taller ants when it comes to people spouting out hate in the name of moral righteousness. You just need to remember what comes around is all around, and when supply and command fails you will be the first to go. Make my words, when you get down to brass stacks it doesn't take rocket appliances to get two birds stoned at once. It's clear who makes the pants in this relationship, and sometimes you just have to swallow your prize and accept the facts. You might have to come to this conclusion through denial and error but I swear on my mother's mating name that when you put the petal to the medal you will pass with flying carpets like it’s a peach of cake.

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    • Shackleford96

      Can't finish, brain hurts... :(

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      • charli.m

        Try, so worth it.

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        • Shackleford96

          I finished it, lol

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  • modernism

    "I could care less."

    No. Wrong. Incorrect. You COULDN'T care less. Try again.

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    • deshikd

      I thought everyone knew that "I could care less" is just a sarcastic expression.

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      • modernism

        I've met way too many people that legitimately thought it was correct. I had to explain to them for 5 minutes straight how terribly wrong they were. ._.

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        • TrustMeImLying

          *notices you made the comment at the same time*

          don't you ever again butt-in when I'm trying to have a conversation with someone. do I make myself clear?

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          • modernism

            Yes, ma'am. :p

            But just for the record, I was clearly seconds earlier than you, hence how my comment is below yours.

            *flips hair*

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            • TrustMeImLying

              huh. that's a good point, lookit though... http://i.imgur.com/BSgmfXg.png?1

              call it a tie?

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      • TrustMeImLying

        nope. unless this was sarcasm. but I've had at least 1 debate with someone who was convinced that I could care less was correct

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  • thegypsysailor

    Full Definition of PROCEEDS
    1: the total amount brought in <the proceeds of a sale>
    2: the net amount received (as for a check or from an insurance settlement) after deduction of any discount or charges
    So, in reality it is not incorrect to say net proceeds to differentiate these proceeds from the gross proceeds such as those from the gate, sale or entry fee.

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  • Who_Fan4Life

    You're a very unique, infamous person.

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  • snarkygirl

    I find illiterate people annoying

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  • dytrog

    One of the funniest comments I have heard was when a woman some money and told her she could reverse her later.
    I don't worry to much about what people say if it's not so bad I can't understand thier point.
    Many words have changed through time. Like at one time gay just meant carrefree? I can't stand it when someone ends each sebtense with "ya know"

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  • Shrunk

    'Random' vs. 'various'/'spontaneous'. Although I guess it could be argued that 'random' is sort of a slang these days that means those words, ie. "I'm so random" meaning they're spontaneous or "I like random music" meaning they like various types of songs

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  • sega31098

    P edophile: An adult or older adolescent who is sexually attracted to children who haven't hit puberty (i.e. true children). Media often uses it to mean someone who molests children or is sexually involved with someone below the age of consent, regardless of physical development.

    Sadist: Someone who derives pleasure from inflicting suffering on others. Misused to refer to anyone who causes a lot of pain on anyone else, regardless of intent.


    Squid and octopus are used interchangeably, even though they are completely different species of cephalopod.

    Lie: An untruth told with the intent to mislead others told by someone who knew 100% it was not real. Often applied to anything that isn't true or is perceived to be untrue, regardless of whether or not it was intended to deceive or whether or not the perpetrator knew was untrue or not.

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  • TrustMeImLying

    calling something ironic when it's nothing more than a coincidence

    or using literally like "I literally ate that sandwich" or "I was literally scared to death." remember, if anyone ever says the latter to you, you have a free license to slap them across the face because there are no laws against hurting the dead. if they sue you, just come back to me and I'll make sure I delete this comment

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  • deshikd

    I don't really get annoyed by this type of thing, but I do really hate it when people use double negatives. I live in the south and a lot of southerners are really bad about those. Like, "I aint got none" is probably my least favorite sentence in existence.

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