h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We all have them. Stupid catchphrases, toxic terminology, etc, that for assorted reasons annoy and piss us off. Or the deliberate misuse of terminology in order to misinform, mislead, or incite a negative reaction in others. I have a few specific ones which, especially lately given the current political climate, which make me see red. And then there are those corporate-speak type terms which just irritate me because they're so stupid.

1. "politically correct" / "political correctness": I'm sure that when this term originated, it was perfectly innocuous and perhaps even somewhat useful. More of often than not, though (and, sadly, I see this a lot on h2g2), when someone refers to "political correctness", the words they are looking for are *common courtesy*; it's used by bigots to project and/or justify their own bigotry.

2. "gay / homosexual lifestyle": While one's inherent characteristics may inform their lifestyle and personal choices, they are not in and of themselves a "lifestyle". Followed closely by the even stupider term "gay agenda". I know a fair number of gay people, and they certainly don't all have (or share) an "agenda". I swear, every time I hear someone refer to sexual orientation as a "lifestyle", I want to kick them in the crotch.

3. "face time": when someone uses this, I know what they mean... but it just sounds creepy. Maybe because I like to have solid personal boundaries- this just sounds like someone getting in my face.

4. "Ground Zero mosque": Setting aside that Park51 isn't actually located at (or all that close to) "ground zero" (another stupid, inflammatory term), that building as far away as some opponents are saying would put the thing in freaking New Jersey, and that there are already several mosques located in the general vicinity already...

... the proposed structure ISN'T A MOSQUE!!! It's basically a YMCA for Muslims. I simply refuse to engage in any kind of debate or discussion with anyone who insists on referring to it as a mosque. They're either pig-ignorant, misinformed, or dishonest. And whichever might be the case, it's all down to the "all Muslims are evil" mentality that's so pervasive in US culture these days.

I had others in mind, but then someone just annoyed me with actual live action stupidity and now I've lost my train of thought. I'll surely have more later...

So, which dumb terms and phrases annoy the crap out of you?

And another one...

When people refer to some work of art, book, film, whatever, as "pretentious" when what they really mean it isn't inane enough. Often used in book reviews when the book contains words too big for the reader's tiny pea brain to comprehend, or to describe a film that has too few explosions, has a bit of nudity, is black and white and/or subtitled, or doesn't cast any stars who regularly appear on TMZ.

I was reminded of this one this morning while reading reviews for a book which I'm debating reading ("The Corrections", which is highly recommended but I'd avoided all this time because I was confusing it with "The Commitments", which I started but hated).

Agree with all of the above!

Additionally, the phrase 'I could care less'. Incorrect, stupid and annoying.

Yes, it's right alongside "irregardless".

The (not at) Ground Zero (not a) mosque has gotten a lot of coverage over here and Charlie Brooker, one of my favourite commentators, pointed out that it's only being called a mosque because it contains prayer rooms. As did both towers of the World Trade Centre, so by their logic they were also a mosque.

I will say, to relatively neutral eyes, the radical right you guys have seems to be doing its utmost to warp all common discourse. I really don't envy Americans trying to have sane discourse with those people.

Lifestyle choice and homosexual agenda make me laugh mostly, especially given the number of conservative Republicans and "church" (read: cult) leaders being forced out of the closet.

Time and time again the phrase political correctness has been shown to be an invention of the more bigoted media sources over here. Almost all of the supposed cases of political correctness gone mad tm have been proven to be utter fabrications.

What, someone yikesed on my journal, and it wasn't me?

It was HonestIago's post - no idea what was yikes-able in it...

Weren't me guv.

Hmm, it's a tricky one: was it fluffykerfuffle and her complete lack of life, or was it one of the hypersensitive weekend mods? No email as of yet.

I wrote four different points: I'll write all 4 up individually and see which gets hit. Apologies in advance for cluttering up your convo p-c.

This post has been removed.

Point number 2:

Political correctness over here is an idea that was invented by the more bigoted media sources. Almost every single case of political correctness gone mad! tm has been proven to be a complete fabrication.

Point number 3:

Talk of a homosexual agenda and lifestyle mostly makes me laugh because of the number of conservative politicians and "religious" (read: cult) leaders coming/being forced out of the closet.

It's the Christian far right raging at the dying of the light: most Americans support gay rights now, including most Republicans.

It looks like we have a winner. Point number 1, ironically about how hard it is to have a sensible conversation with some people, is the naughty one.

Why, I'll never know.

Wags finger at HonestIago- you norty boi!

And twice to boot. No, I have no idea either.

Curious! Well, no need to apologize, HI. No point discussing it any further here, or the PY will simply strike again. When you have no valid argument, the only way to win is to silence anyone you disagree with.

In response to your points which remain: it truly is silly to hear certain kinds of people insist that a desire for equal protection for all citizens under the law is some sort of controversial concept.

Personally, whenever I read anything with the terms "PC Brigade", "politically correct", etc, I mentally insert the proper term (common courtesy). It makes it even clearer just how silly the people who say these things are being.



All kinds of corporate-speak drives me nuts. Fortunately most of the people I work with don't use it. But one particular bugbear I see bandied about- and usually used incorrectly- is "paradigm". Christ on a cracker but when people try to use big words to sound smarter, it has the opposite effect.

Don't mention the PY or I will have the hounds on me again. In some corners, it is obvious that it must be me.

Ah, yes, I'd have suspected you all along.

Seriously, though. I've only ever yikesed posts which contained swear words. That's it. I never even yikes offensive trash- because people's true colors need to be seen, and because it's very disruptive to discussion when half of it's missing and participants have a hard time following.

I take that back- I yikesed a post a while back for copyright violation. An entire work was posted. Since I'd in the past had a post removed for quoting only a couple of stanzas (I misunderstood when the House Rules said we could quote parts of works), I knew that copying an entire work was even far more serious.

To your original post though, I quite agree with pretty much every point. Especially all the hub-bub about the 'mosque'. There are even uncountable talking heads up here with opinions on the matter. As you say though, it is basically a Y that includes some prayer space. And as I have understood it, aside from those specific rooms, it is open to everyone. No religion required

Yep. So I don't see what all the fuss is about. People railing on about "bad taste". What's in bad taste is cherry picking who can and can't develop property based on their religion.

And I'm no fan of religion in general, as you all know.

My notions of religion are my own, and I really prefer people who keep theirs nice and comfy to themselves as well. It is just so annoying to watch any extreme twist something as minor as that facility into such a national issue. What the is too close? A mile, a state, ... ? Sadly, if they do construct there, it will prove to be a location of contention now for ages