1. Utilize
Why reach for this clunker when you’ve got the efficient use sitting right there for the taking? I put this in the category of words people utilize to give what they’re saying the veneer of authority, padding their prose to give it more weight. Maybe it’s all my years as a newspaper reporter, having to quote government officials who seemed to forever be “utilizing monies.” (Yeah, add monies to the list.) Just save yourself four letters and say what you mean.

2. Just sayin’!
In all likelihood, when you use this phrase you’re actually not just sayin’. You’re attempting to absolve yourself of any responsibility to, and repercussions from, the catty or ill-conceived statement you just made. This does not work. This is just bitchy. And makes you sound like a 12-year-old, CNN. (Thank you, Jon Stewart.)

3. At the end of the day…
As in this, from Jennifer Lopez: “At the end of the day, I just want my work to speak for itself.” Only at the end of the day? Not also at the beginning of it? Do we not care what happens at noon? Are we meh about the rest of the week? Suck it, calendar year? It’s the verbal equivalent of a Twinkie: tempting to reach for, but totally empty. And we’re all so much better off without it.

4. It is what it is.
Which is? This is just lazy, and attempts to get the speaker off the hook to actually reflect for a moment and explain him or herself:

Person A: Did you have an affair with her?
Person B: Yo, it is what it is.

People, you can do better. Use your big girl words. Continue reading →