Words/phrases that need to go away

[The Fighting Cochrane]

"Bling"

For the last several months, I don't think a week has gone by without that word popping up in one of our newscasts. Horrible.

However, I would like to see the return of "skeezer" to the lexicon of America.

[DoctorDepends]

"alleged"

back in my day, we got an "F" if we used the word in copy in school. we were told it was not conversational and showed lack of imagination in writing.

[Seraph]

Efforting
Touching Base

And any variation on Ironic and Surreal. No one EVER uses either of them in their correct context.

[Pro]

Originally posted by DoctorDepends:
"alleged"

back in my day, we got an "F" if we used the word in copy in school. we were told it was not conversational and showed lack of imagination in writing.What should one use instead? Provide an example.

[sonorandesert]

I've said before and I'll continue to say...
"24/7" redundant.
"24/7/365" really redundant.

[Cadbury-Obsessed Newsmaker]

In most cases there are ways to get around "alleged" (which I was taught was a big no-no as well). Instead of "alleged shooter" - "witnesses say Mr. Smith shot," "police say Mr. Smith shot," "Mr. Smith is accused/suspected of shooting," etc... I can't stand "alleged." There really are a whole lot of alternatives. And what's worse is when an actual crime occurred - like a bank robbery - and you hear "alleged bank robbery." There's no alleged about it - it happened.

And The Fighting Cochrane, I'm with you on "bling" - that word's been tired since about 1999, and yet people still drag it out.

[Another side]

Jump(ed) the Shark

[Michigan J. Frog]

Originally posted by Pro:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by DoctorDepends:
"alleged"

back in my day, we got an "F" if we used the word in copy in school. we were told it was not conversational and showed lack of imagination in writing.What should one use instead? Provide an example.</font>[/QUOTE]There are any number of ways to avoid using this word, which provides absolutely NO legal protection whatsoever anyway.

[FD2BLK]

That's what I'm tallking about

[SpxGrunt]

Originally posted by The Fighting Cochrane:
"Bling"

For the last several months, I don't think a week has gone by without that word popping up in one of our newscasts. Horrible.

However, I would like to see the return of "skeezer" to the lexicon of America.I like your suggestion of "skeezer." I'd also welcome back "jimmy hat"

[almostlive]

Light of Truth.

Not the phrase, really. The poster using it.

[Big Poppa Pump]

"and what not"

"basically"

[Laughing Angel]

Closure.

I cringe every time I hear it.

[Roy Hobbs]

"Well..."

"Team coverage"

"Shoot me a PM"

http://www.newspapersoc.org.uk/documents/publications/pr2003/Tony%20Blair%20CMYK.JPG

[Scarlet Termite]

What does "skeezer" mean? I like that word!

[Soul Doubt]

A good time was had by all.

[Mr. Pratfall]

Originally posted by Soul Doubt:
A good time was had by all.Does anybody outside of small-town newspapers still use this phrase? If so, yikes.

[SEPhotog]

"Speaking out" drives me crazy.

[Historian]

Originally posted by Scarlet Termite:
What does "skeezer" mean? I like that word!I think it means a very old mosquito. You know, a cross between "skeeter" and "geezer?"

[s'news]

Originally posted by The Fighting Cochrane:
"Bling"

Actually, it started as "bling bling" and shortened to the one word version. The next phase will be "bli," or maybe "ing."

[ November 05, 2006, 08:46 AM: Message edited by: s'news ]

[Jane Craig]

"a shout-out"

[ November 05, 2006, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: Jane Craig ]

[formerphotog]

"dcolton"

[Pro]

Originally posted by Cadbury-Obsessed Newsmaker:
In most cases there are ways to get around "alleged" (which I was taught was a big no-no as well). Instead of "alleged shooter" - "witnesses say Mr. Smith shot," "police say Mr. Smith shot," "Mr. Smith is accused/suspected of shooting," etc... Those sound about the same. Personal preference.

[Pro]

Originally posted by Michigan J. Frog:
There are any number of ways to avoid using this word, which provides absolutely NO legal protection whatsoever anyway.What does?

[AutoTranz]

Now, I'm no newswriter, but Mother of God

In a newscast:

Blaze - How about FIRE? I once read a story about a housefire. The word FIRE was mumbled only ONE TIME, and that was only to utter the word "firefighter".

Behind Bars - What's wrong with the phrase "In Jail"??! Is there some law that prevents the phrase "in jail" from airing on a television news broadcast?

We have a crew on the scene - Yeah right...

[ November 05, 2006, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: Auto Tranz ]

[Meow Meow]

Originally posted by SEPhotog:
"Speaking out" drives me crazy.I'm with you on "Speaking Out."

[Seraph]

"You know what I'm sayin'?"

[The Mockingbird]

"Robust" Just stop, seriously.

"Peeps" Unless you're talking about the marshmallow ones, for the love of God, STOP IT.

"Synergy"

"Anything with izzle" It's just annoying. We get it, you have a speech impediment.

[Soul Doubt]

Stay the course.

[trunky]

I'm with you on "bling" - that word's been tired since about 1999, and yet people still drag it out.
If people are still using it, it's not so tired. What'd they say before they started using "bling" anyway?

[Diplomat]

Attaching "gate" to any scandal. Watergate was the name of a hotel, for cryin' out loud.

Calling employees or associates "workers." When this is used in news copy, it often sounds patronizing.

Attaching "Nation" to any group of sports fans: Raider Nation, Red Sox Nation, etc.

The use of too much cop talk in news copy. It's a newscast and we're talking to real people. It's not an episode of a cop show.

[Dcolton]

Originally posted by dallasphotog:
"dcolton"Try Mr. Dcolton. It might make you feel a little better.

[formerphotog]

Originally posted by Dcolton:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by dallasphotog:
"dcolton"Try Mr. Dcolton. It might make you feel a little better.</font>[/QUOTE]Nah, that would show respect.

[Why-Dangle-Lens]

"Makeshift memorial."
"Shocked and saddened."
"Fighting for his life."

[got the t-shirt]

Originally posted by Captain Bangaroo:
"and what not"I have a friend that uses that all the frickin' time...drives me crazy!!! graemlins/face_banghead.gif

[Produce man]

"Liberal".

[Roy Hobbs]

Before anyone else posts, PLEASE explain the origin of the word "chops," and then never use it again.

(e.g. Sally has the reporting chops for the job)

[WG]

Person(s) of interest

[adam &amp; doctor drew]

Gravitas

[The Mockingbird]

The origin of the phrase "having the chops" dates back to the 19th century India, when "Chop" meant quality. So "First Chop" meant "Highest Quality".

It's derived from the Hindi term for the colonial stamp or mark placed on goods.

"Not having the chops" means you aren't of high enough quality/skills to pass the test.

[Clever Login Name]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Diplomat:
Attaching "gate" to any scandal. Watergate was the name of a hotel, for cryin' out loud.
[QUOTE]

Like when they referred to the Foley imbroglio as "Masturgate".

[/QB][QUOTE]
Attaching "Nation" to any group of sports fans: Raider Nation, Red Sox Nation, etc. [/QB][QUOTE]

Sorry, but Red Sox Nation is the only accurate way of describing the world-wide fan base of the the most storied franchise ever. All others are pretenders.

[cinehead]

"Breaking News"

[Invinoveritas]

Originally posted by trunky:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />I'm with you on "bling" - that word's been tired since about 1999, and yet people still drag it out.
If people are still using it, it's not so tired. What'd they say before they started using "bling" anyway?</font>[/QUOTE]jewelry

[mothball]

Adding the suffix "ista" to anything...

fashionista
terrorista (yeah, I am so utterly hoping that was a mispronunciation!)
barrista

Of course... if you want to add cheese to it, I'll probably snack.

[Bajen]

"Folks"

I just don't like it - maybe it's just me.

[Sultanosurf]

'Senseless tragedy.' Like there's ever a senseful one?

'At the end of the day' and 'When all is said and done.' Interchangeably useless.

'Y'know' Some jocks can use it six times in one sentence. And these folks get free college edjercashun...

[Tripe Face]

I get so tired of people telling me "you are in violation of the restraining order."

Like I didn't know.

Sheez