Most overused words or phrases

75

By weestro


I'll start by admitting I'm guilty of using my share of the words or phrases below. Some come on strong and then fade away, others however, just stay and become a part of our language. Some are victims of technology, Off the hook! Others survive the times, Don't go there! I mean Really?? See what I did there?

It is what it is What does this even mean? Of course it is what it is, if it's red it's red, that's what it is. Coaches love to say "We are what we are" as if this really answers any questions about his team. I'm guessing this gem originated when a dad wanted to give deep fatherly advice but had nothing. So he just winged it. "Son, it is what it is." Gee thanks Dad, I get it now.

Really?? Really?? You're going to add this to the list? Really?? This one wasn't so bad a few years back but now it's just tired. Every sitcom uses it, we get it, someone is doing something silly/stupid/embarrassing so you hit them with Really? It's the new "Seriously?".

It's All Good This phrase has been around for a while. It's one thing if you were at Bonnaroo trying to score some weed, sounds a little different at 9:30 in the morning on a Tuesday at the office. Even worse if followed by "in the hood".

Just Sayin' A popular phrase used at wedding toasts, it kind of gives the speaker a free pass. "Like in Vegas when SOMEBODY got drunk and hooked up with that skank, I'm just sayin," We know you're just saying it, you just did...Similar to when your mom says an awful thing about someone but follows it up with a "God Love her" or "Bless her heart".

Awesome I had to put this on the list, there's no getting around it. But sometimes there just isn't a better word for a moment. Synonyms include: alarming, breathtaking, majestic, and magnificent, but you're never going to say "That new phone is breathtaking". Maybe I'll start using magnificent.

I know, Right? - A hippie/slacker favorite, this saying is a sort of hybrid agreement term. I know, I agree, and also right, as in you are right. Understand?

Like Not just your teenager's favorite word anymore, this is like, everywhere. It's hard to find anyone under 40 who doesn't constantly use this word. Like when I was at the grocery store the other day this guy was like taking forever in line. i was so pissed I was like, "Dude, hurry up!!".

For Real Yep, for real, that really happened. I'm going to start making up stories just so people can say "For Real?" and I can say nope, made it all up, sucka!! Yes for real!! This isn't Sims or Facebook where everything is fake!!

You know what I'm saying? - Well, do you? This one is mainly used by rappers and people who want to be rappers. Sure, I know what your saying but I have know idea what you mean.

Well there's my short awesome list of overly used words and phrases, I'll probably be adding to this list periodically so it is what it is. Feel free to add suggestions in the comments section as I'm sure I missed a bunch of them, just sayin'.

Comments

ournote2self profile image

ournote2self 8 months ago

'It is what it is' is my least favorite phrase of all time! It's such a stupid thing to say to point out the obvious!

weestro profile image

weestro Hub Author 8 months ago

I agree, just filler!!

ThelmaC profile image

ThelmaC Level 4 Commenter 8 months ago

Welcome to hubpages! This is a great hub. Down here in the South, we all say "Bless her Heart"!

ripplemaker profile image

ripplemaker Level 6 Commenter 8 months ago

My nephew is now saying "awesome" most of the time. He got it from the cartoon show. :D

Congratulations on your Hubnuggets nomination! AWESOME! :D :D Do check it out now and be sure to read and vote too. http://koffeeklatchgals.hubpages.com/_hubnuggets6/

Terishere profile image

Terishere Level 4 Commenter 8 months ago

Congratulations on your hubnugget nomination!

I'm guilty of using "Awesome" lol I just love it! lol

Good luck

Terri

FloraBreenRobison profile image

FloraBreenRobison 8 months ago

Congratulations on your nomination. When I was in high school the popular expression was "Not!" It was annoying beyond words. Awesome doesn't bother me. Like has been added to the middle of a sentence as a way to pause for I don't remember how many years.

weestro profile image

weestro Hub Author 8 months ago

Thanks for reading guys, I think it's safe to say Awesome is not going anywhere. Flora, I remember "Not" that WAS annoying!!

bwhite062007 profile image

bwhite062007 Level 3 Commenter 8 months ago

Haha. This hub was great and completley true! Congrats on your nomination, for real. Hehe.

weestro profile image

weestro Hub Author 8 months ago

Awesome bwhite, glad you liked it!!!

tirelesstraveler profile image

tirelesstraveler Level 7 Commenter 8 months ago

Congratulations!You hit my favorites. I am guilty. Great hub.

weestro profile image

weestro Hub Author 8 months ago

Thanks tireless!! you and me both!!

ArockDaNinja profile image

ArockDaNinja Level 2 Commenter 8 months ago

I think I use every single one of these phrases, every day, multiple times.

weestro profile image

weestro Hub Author 8 months ago

For Real?

Alecia Murphy profile image

Alecia Murphy Level 7 Commenter 8 months ago

In school for me it was always "Yo Mama." It hit rock bottom when Wilmer Valderrama (Fez from that 70s show) got a show judging contests for people telling yo mama jokes. It's so tired! Great Hub!

DRidge profile image

DRidge 8 months ago

LOVE IT!

MystMoonstruck profile image

MystMoonstruck 8 months ago

So, yeah...

I'm not sure if people say this very often, but they certainly use it when writing far too much! I answer at several movie mystery sites, and I see this at the end of many descriptions: So, yeah...

*sigh*

Deb Welch 8 months ago

Thumbs Up! Awesome. Really Excellent Hub. For Real.

Kieran Gracie profile image

Kieran Gracie Level 4 Commenter 8 months ago

In the UK, at least, "Absolutely!" is supposed to mean "Totally true" but is used absolutely everywhere. Other British gems are "Innit" and "Whatever". I'm not sure if they have crossed the Pond yet, but I hope not.

weestro profile image

weestro Hub Author 8 months ago

@ Moonstruck - I've heard that one a lot, similar to "I know, right?"

@Deb, thanks lol

@Dridge, thank you.

@kieran- sort of like literally, huh? Not familiar with innit, but it's whatever!!!

Thanks for commenting guys!!

Beata Stasak profile image

Beata Stasak Level 6 Commenter 8 months ago

Congratulations! Learning English as my third language I have quickly learnt to use these empty phrases just to fit in:) Every language in the world has them to fill the conversation vacuums...when there is no too much left to say...thank you for your useful introduction to phrases I have practised to use to sound as native as possible, ha,ha,ha..

Ingenira profile image

Ingenira Level 5 Commenter 8 months ago

Awesome, I have to say it for this article. :) You have my vote up !

Zabbella profile image

Zabbella Level 4 Commenter 8 months ago

.....Heee heee (bear with me, please)

OMG...I really can't stand it when someone tells me

"It is What it is" Has gotta be the most annoying line.

They say it when you are ALREADY angry..ever noticed that?

oooh it infuriates me. for real. totally like, Y'know??? Cha, man.

vocalcoach profile image

vocalcoach Level 7 Commenter 8 months ago

Very good title and topic for a hub...and BTW a big congratulations to you.Voting up and (oh dear) awesome!

Angie Jardine profile image

Angie Jardine Level 7 Commenter 8 months ago

Great hub, weestro ... and long overdue.

Thanks for 'flagging up' these annoying phrases, noah amin [meaning 'know what I mean?' another London grr saying along with init? (isn't it) and whatever (bored teenage girl speak) - with thanks to my hub-buddy Twilight Lawns]

I really hate Awesome ... it's just too teen surfer dude ... and let's face it that really doesn't describe most of us. We need to be subversive and start some new stuff ... any ideas, anyone?

Congrats on the HubNugget nomination and welcome to the community that is HubPages ...

weestro profile image

weestro Hub Author 8 months ago

Thanks for commenting guys!!! This one really struck a nerve!!! Wasn't expecting it...

DoItForHer profile image

DoItForHer Level 3 Commenter 8 months ago

Is "dude" still OK? It is its own language; one can communicate quite effectively using the monosyllabic "dude"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyMSSe7cOvA

weestro profile image

weestro Hub Author 8 months ago

I agree, Dude is a classic!!

homesteadbound profile image

homesteadbound Level 8 Commenter 7 months ago

I hear Cool alot although I don't really use it. Congrats! And how about, "Practice makes perfect!"

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