Words that should be eliminated from daily conversation

Obvious (as a noun, adjective form works) and obviously

This word has been used by students to put down other classmates, both in serious and sarcastic wit, or essentially in any other context to demean, insult, or criticize another person. While this itself is not a valid reason to discontinue the use of the word in conversation, it is a start to showing how the word is at its core is useless. I give an example:

“How can you not see the cause of Fidel Castro’s downfall? It is obvious!"

Really? Is it really that obvious? If so, how come I can’t see it? The purpose of this word is supposedly to “point out” to another observer how easily the fact/relationship/event is to comprehend. However, the speaker automatically reaches a paradox the moment the word first escapes his lips. If the fact/relationship/event is obvious, then anyone should be able to instantly spot the fact/relationship/event. However, if it is so easy to see, then if another person does not realize it without additional thought then it really is not obvious.

Thus the person has spoken falsely.

Conversely, if everyone does reach the same conclusion and the event is truly obvious, is it not simply redundant to point out the fact that it is obvious? Here lies the contradiction, given the case that only one person understand or everyone or every case in-between. The word destroys itself the moment is it uttered in everyday language.

Now some of you can be thinking, well sometimes speech is redundant and the word is meant as a sarcastic quip, not used in serious conversation. To that, I agree that the purpose can be to insult the other person and point out his lack of comprehension. However, if that is truly your purpose, there are SO many other ways to accomplish the same goal effectively. Be creative; George Orwell would criticize your lack of ingenuity in using such a common cliché phrase.

Lastly, while obvious obviously has a place in the English language, the fact remains that there are a variety of other words which suit the purpose better. So instead of trying to put someone down by illustrating your superiority in noticing something, perhaps using other phrases like “it became apparent” would be more helpful.

*Note: Not obvious/ly is logically correct but if we destroy obvious/ly from the language, then it not obvious/ly is not logically correct anymore either!*

As for the rest of these words, they are simply words that are illogical and have probably already been addressed by other people.

Irregardless

Funny how Word ’07 gave this word a red squiggly, after all the Merriam-Webster online dictionary gives it the following definition:

Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that “there is no such word.” There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose.

Any variation of illogical words like “unravel, unthaw, unloose, invaluable, etc.”

Basic explanation: these words are illogical. Take the example “unloosen,” it means the exact same thing as “loosen” but the prefix “un” suggests that “unloosen” should be the opposite of “loosen.” I have neither the time nor energy to research why these words exist, but I’m sure you could read this explanation of the word “inflammable” to give you a sense.

First blog for ENGL 102 completed.