The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss - Latest Comments in The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

J Man — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:21:25 -0000

You forgot should's sister, ought.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Jeff — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:21:38 -0000

Thanks to Paul and others who have have suggested replacement words. This list is not an attempt to perfectly replace but just a bit of commentary on what might be considered when trying to avoid oversued words and phrases.

1. Happiness = liveliness
2. Success = Completion or end
3. Should = Ought
4. Responsible = required
5. Realistic = practical?
6. Reasonable = thought out
7. Spiritual = essence or inner
8. Good/Right = correct/incorrect
9. Bad/Wrong = ill conceived, poorly executed, of selfish design
10. Moral = leave judgement at the door

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

kyle — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:39:44 -0000

I agree, there needs to be a measure of moderation there. But, isn't beautiful that we can even do this? Our ability to communicate and understand each other is so wonderful that we can say a multitude of things using the same word, but drawing from other information like context, mood, tone, history with that person etc. Think of how much can be embedded in the word 'dude'. Dude! If we pursued the path eliminating over-used words too much, eventually we wouldn't have a need to draw from the wells mentioned above and other fun intangibles.

But while were playing with lists, 'love' needs to be on there. The same word that we use for a fierce and death-ignoring longing for another human is also used to describe how much we like Snickers. This calls for reform...

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

timferriss — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:42:14 -0000

@pr,

Indeed! You're one of the few who noticed this little test.

Tim

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

pr — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:16:54 -0000

You used #3 in the blog article title :)

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Jeff — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:29:53 -0000

Next time you are about to use one of the 10 words just eliminate the whole sentence and see where your mind takes you.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Marko — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:04:03 -0000

Words are subliminally powerful

So really, generic approaches generate generic results

Focus to get Focus results

Thank You

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Justin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:27:08 -0000

The biggest vocabulary mistake to stop making is using can't when you should be using won't!!! Two entirely different words that when confused cripple your life.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Denise — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:00:40 -0000

Choosing our words means we're living and thinking consciously, not just rambling on automatic. I do find myself using "interesting" a lot. It means I find something worthy of my attention and will require more thought, but its a bad habit and trite in conversation.

1. Happiness - a choice we make daily. Its not something to attain to.
2. Success - usually thought of in monetary terms but I find its more about being true to yourself and following your passions to find real fulfillment (exactly what you say/do/teach, Tim!).
3. Should - In a personal context its something we feel we must do based on some other expectations. Whose? I've eliminated this word from my vocabulary.

4. Responsible 5. Realistic 6. Reasonable 7. Spiritual
8. Good/Right 9. Bad/Wrong 10. Moral

Words 4-10 are based in opinion and arbitrary. Using them means we are judging ourselves or others. To push our opinion is ego based and futile, but it does create a good discussion when done respectfully. :)

Other words I'd like to add:
can't - Almost profanity in my house as a child. Its not that I can't do something, I'm choosing not to try (better to use won't)
never- too harsh for me, it just sounds negative, "I'm never going there"
hate - is learned and a choice, and an excuse to stay in our comfort zones
trying - just an excuse, either do it or don't

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Martin Blake — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:25:08 -0000

Hi, Tim, there is a general deterioration of language not enough people are commenting about....Thanks for your contribution, and check out my blog!

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Rev. Antonio Hernandez — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:40:29 -0000

This is a marvelous website, and I hope this submission helps. There are far too many words and phrases that constitute tautologies, but I think the top 10 list you show could be a bit more generous.

I have a list of words, phrases and verbal habits that should be BANISHED. It will make your skin crawl:

1. Pause before saying either "million" or "billion".
2. "Anyway..."
3. "Smoke-filled room(s)"
4. "Disingenuous"
5. Bell-weather
6. Pronouncing divisive to rhyme with incisive. It is pronounced di-VIZ-iv.
7. Surge
8. "I mean..."
9. "Okay"
10. "Gonna"
11. "C'mon..."
12. Vet, vetting, vetted
13. "Liberal media"
14. Sea-change
15. "Read(ing) tea leaves
16. "Uh" or "duh"
17. "So..."
18. "[insert anything here]-wise", such as "weather-wise"
19. "It's [the economy or any other word], stupid."
20. "At this point"
21. "Rule of thumb"
22. "That said" or "That being said"
23. "Zero-sum game"
24. "Begs the question"
25. "You know..."
26. "Proof is in the pudding"
27. "With all due respect..."
28. "Take a listen"
29. To be honest/To tell you the truth
30. Throw under the bus
31. "Playing the [insert anything] card."
32. Smoking gun
33. What next??

And the BIGGIE that makes me want to vomit: "LOOK!"

Thanks for letting me hog space. Think about these. People are almost exclusively speaking this way today.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

akthe47 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:59:53 -0000

Tim,
I know this is a dated post, but I thought of something clever to get people going on this idea:

If one uses the computer a lot for communication (e.g., chat or email frequently), if you download a program for Windows called Texter (Mac also has a freeware software that is similar in function), it is a program that sits in the background and replaces words as you type them on the screen.

Rather than use the program properly to substitute words (such as just typing 'ddate' to make the date of the year appear in the place of ddate), you could have substitutions for these 10 words you've identified. And what better way to get into the habit of not using these words than to make Texter substitute the word 'should' or 'right' or 'responsible' with something like 'abcdefg' or 'xxxxxxx' or 'tuvwxyz'. That will quickly prevent you from being able to type those words and force you to find a replacement. Then slowly you should be able to transfer that habit of not using those words into your spoken language.

Just a suggestion if anybody is having problems with getting out of the habit of using these words.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Bo Gulledge — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:33:37 -0000

To further enhance clarity of thought, exercise your brain, improve critical thinking and write more clearly, check out e-prime. Basically, you eliminate the verb "to be" and all of it's constructs from your writing. Even if you just gain conscious of its abundant usage you in writing it can help you write more effective sentences.

Google "e-prime" and stretch your brain.

Best Regards,

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

linda — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:23:52 -0000

I found this definition one day:

counter word
n.
any word freely used as a general term of approval or disapproval without reference to its more exact meaning, as nice, terrible, lousy, terrific

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Chloe — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:42:49 -0000

"Don't should on yourself."

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

auctionwally — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:51:50 -0000

I agree Tim, people tend to overuse words and catchphrases to the extreme.

As an auctioneer I am always trying to come up with new phrases in my chant to keep my crowd attentive, this works until that phrase gets worn out and I'll get rid of it to use another.

As you can imagine this is a challenge when your selling 200 -300 lots an evening!

Thanks!

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Paul — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:32:53 -0000

and I disagree with some of the words on the list. Why "should"? is it misused as much as "semantics"?

Should is an aux verb implying logical consequence. "If I press this button, that light SHOULD go on."

It is often confused with OUGHT, which is a word that does NOT get used ENOUGH.

Have I told anyone lately that I really hate the word "semantics"?

And why "good/right"? There are times when "correct" might more precisely take the place of either. But to banish these words to a world where, say a word like "semantics" ought to be banished, I think is wrong.

pawl

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Paul — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:29:10 -0000

you fogot 'semantics.' I really hate it when people say "we're just arguing about semantics." 9/10 times, they do not know what they are talking about.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

E-ssistance.com — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:59:10 -0000

I can so relate to this one in my transcriptions. It's hard for many people, including myself, to not say the words that Tim points out here. And one of the commentors commented on the word 'like' and 'you know' - so, so true. When I transcribe seminars and webinars I automatically take these out for my clients. What a difference it makes.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Ian — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 06:35:07 -0000

I liked your list, regarding the good/right bad/wrong inclusions here is my all time favourite Sufi saying:
"Beyond the ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing there is a field. I'll meet you there"

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Sarah Rainsberger — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:38:14 -0000

This is the thesis of George Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language" found here http://www.orwell.ru/librar... for anyone who wants a deeper read into this idea.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Betty Pokerwinski — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:26:14 -0000

Tm,

I believe a lot of the bloggers here interpret the removal of a word as meaning removal of the word's meaning. Happiness does not need to be removed from one's life when one removes the word happiness from their vocabulary. It is obvious that many interpret this as what would happen. When I think about when/how I'd use hapiness in a particular sentence or comment I realize it would be used as a 'wish for' comment. One would not say 'I have happiness' that sounds corny. They would say 'I am so happy'. You didn't ask for everyone to remove happy...just happiness. If I use happiness, I'd say either 'I'd acheive happiness if..' or 'you can have happiness' .. Hmm... it doesn't even flow well. Happiness is a sort of judgemental term. It is used to determine a result. You 'can' obtain happiness 'if'.. Hmmm.. who can judge whether they will obtain this result before they even attempt? I suppose all this pondering one way or another is a serious loss of valuable time I could be using in more enjoyable pursuits.

I think I can remove the word/term happiness easily, butI will continue to use happy all the time. :-)

Enjoy,
Betty

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Faith — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:34:49 -0000

Right /wrong replace with enriching choices or poor choice
society never looks deeper has a rule beyond right/ wrong.
an enriching choice always is morally good and a poor choice is always morally wrong and as far as morals are concerned life challanges and choices can be summed up in these thoughts- Do your best to do all that you say you will and commit no tresspass and that thoght put into practice will eliminate all crime and all evil if you just act in goodwill at all times the rest is just mental hashing as far as I am concened-by the way love your book !

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Tyler — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:30:26 -0000

There are a lot of words I would appreciate to hear much more infrequently. However, I don't think our top ten lists overlap much. ;-)

I do find myself frequently listening to people talk and hearing little real content. Maybe it's the way I listen - I have a tendency to listen to meaning rather than words. I know that's kind of a strange concept, but it works well for me. Often people will misspeak, and I won't notice because I was following their meaning.

Unfortunately, this tendency makes it painfully obvious when people have nothing to say, or have no idea what they're talking about. I just don't know how to respond!

I'm definitely a fan of more precise language - it adds so much more nuance to a conversation.

Re: The 10 Most Common Words You Should Stop Using Now

Ivo — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 08:39:31 -0000

Bloody correct, I always wanted to get rid of them, they are socially accepted, theres no way out of it, and they mean nothin except if you use them correctly (probably just sayin them inside)