10 Words Readers Hate
Welcome to The Icky Word Hall of Fame, “Doggos” and “Kiddos!”
I recently published a rant about how much I dislike the word “veggie.”
When I posted it on Facebook, my friends responded, not by seconding my opinion about the word “veggie,” but by weighing in with their own least favorite words. I received dozens of responses and couldn’t help but notice that certain words were mentioned over and over.
So, as a public service to my fellow writers, I’ve put together a list of the top ten words that discerning readers (i.e. my friends) can’t stand.
Attention writers! Use these words in your own stories at your peril!
Kiddos and Littles (for young children)
Doggos (instead of dogs)
Fur Babies (for dogs and cats)
Hubs or Hubby (instead of husband)
Sammich (for sandwich. How on earth did this even get started?)
To Gift (instead of to give.)
An Invite (instead of an invitation)
Adulting (Ironically, a babyish word used to describe behaving like a grown-up)
Learnings (Which is so wrong that when I wrote it here, Spellcheck immediately insisted that it didn’t exist.)
Despite my dislike of it, the word “veggie” isn’t going anywhere. Surprise! The universe isn’t here to suit my needs. 🙂
But it did feel good to kvetch about it. And to learn about the words that make other people shudder.
How about you? Is there a word that you absolutely cannot stand? Please vent about it in the Comments section.
And? Don’t forget to eat your vegetables!
Writing Coach and editor-for-hire Roz Warren, who writes for everyone from the Funny Times to the New York Times, can help you improve and publish your work. Drop her a line at [email protected]. (That’s Ros with an “s,” not a “z.”)
