you know what really grinds my gears?

[michr0]

So, while thinking in the shower tonight - the place where most of my deep thinking takes place - I've come up with a list of words or expressions I can live without. Things that people say that they probably shouldn't say, just because it is either full of shit or doesn't make sense. Here they go:

• "Irregardless" is not a word. Stop using it.
• "In my opinion..." is unnecessary. Of course it's your opinion. If it wasn't, you would say "in ____'s opinion."
• "I just wanted to say..." is a terrible way to begin anything. Just say it for pete's sake! (Who is this infamous Pete?)
• "For all intensive purposes" is not correct in any way. It's "for all intents and purposes."
• "Ironic" is way overused. Most things that people say are ironic are usually either coincidental, contradictory, oximoronic, or have absolutely no classification needed at all. People just like throwing around "ironic" because they seem smarter using 3 syllable words. Good old Dubbya'.
• "Don't take it personally..." is utter nonsense. Of course its personal! This isn't business, which is the only real time you can use this expression. There are two people - you and me! Anything that happens between these two people is of course personal!
• "I don't intend to be mean, but..." usually precedes something that actually is mean, such as "you suck" or "you need stronger deodorant." If you want to say something mean, just say it! Maybe you could even follow it up with that great "don't take it personally" expression you seem to love.
• "Can I borrow a tissue?" is implying you're going to give it back to me. Just ask for a damn tissue! Don't have to be all polite and ask to borrow something you clearly aren't going to return. Like, "can I borrow a condom?" is almost always wrong.
• "Literally" versus figuratively is used incorrectly so often it's somewhat ridiculous. People say "he literally is on the phone 24/7" when he most likely is on just occasionally. Leave out the "literally" and the hyperbole works just fine.

More to come...