Comments on: Little Irksome Things

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 03:00:35 +0000

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By: johnalam

johnalam — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:40:57 +0000

In the 70s I saw a poster with Snoopy making a comment that went: "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit"

By: Amie

Amie — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:04:23 +0000

Here's one for your "understand the meaning of what you're saying" list: I have a client who says "alas" when she means "at last"…

By: Clare Lynch

Clare Lynch — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:20:18 +0000

Ha, ha – I agree completely. That said, I'd probably be out of work – and certainly wouldn't have a blog – if people didn't keep committing these crimes against English.

Surprisingly, nobody ever talks about "incompetencies". And what business claims to offer a service that doesn't add value?

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:19:20 +0000

Ashley, I think they use jargon to make a wheel sound more like a "comprehensive, all-natural elastomer rotational transportation solution that eases conveyance of multi-aged descendants to a wide array of recreational activiites."

Thanks for the LOLCat. LOVE those. :)

Paula, you cracked me up and confused me in the same breath. Not many can do that!

Price point?? Oh gawd, Hugh, I HATE that one.

By: hugh.c.mcbride

hugh.c.mcbride — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:34:49 +0000

In keeping with the keep-it-simple theme of today's post, here's the briefest contribution I could come up with:

* "Price point"
* AAAAAAAUUUUUUUGH!

That is all :-)

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:37:55 +0000

My theory is that buzzwords, corporate jargon, and legalese are merely tricks to intentionally confuse, befuddle and intimidate the masses. If legal contracts were written in clear, simple language there would be far fewer lawsuits because people could easily understand the details.

After all, "1 + 2 = 3" is much clearer than "The sum resultant from the combination of the lowest prime number and a figure that is double its value shall be the same as triple the value of said lowest prime number."

There's a reason 99% of people loathed word problems in math: They make no sense. I don't know about you, but even as a kid I wanted to edit them instead of doing the math. (Now I'm wondering - is 1 the lowest prime number?)

I think I also just proved Ashley's point above. Using big words and complicated language can make you look really stupid.

A couple months ago I interviewed someone who misused so many multisyllabic words that I had to force myself not to laugh. The enduring image I'll have of him is: Nice, not-so-bright guy trying way too hard to impress people that he's more than just a pretty face.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:27:19 +0000

And in honor of doing things wrong, something to brighten your day:

http://lolcatz.net/443/ham-yor-doin-it-wrong/

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:24:43 +0000

I used to wonder whether I just didn't "get it" when I read confusing jargon like that. But most of the time, I think the writer is just trying to sound smart, which unfortunately falls flat when the reader has no idea what's being communicated.

To those who think big words make them sound more educated: Don't use them unless you know exactly what you're doing. At least 99 percent of the time, you're doing it wrong and you just sound dumb.

Happy Friday!

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:39:15 +0000

I have! Luckily, I speak "healthcare geek" so it wasn't too tough. 🙂