The most misused words in the English language

[mynah]

Here I'm not referring to the incorrect use of words and phrases by those who are ignorant or confused about their meaning, but by deliberate misuse by those who should know better. Here, to start off the list, are three:

1. Democratic, as in democratic republic. If the name has to tell you it is, it generally isn't. I've tried to work out what exactly democratic republic means, but it seems to be something along the line of, "We have elections, or will have once we've taken care of those damn idiots who don't like the way we're running the country. As a precautionary measure, no opposition parties who pose any real risk to the current leadership are allowed." Although I haven't had the opportunity to check for myself, I've read in a normally reliable newspaper that the Chinese constitution actually contains the phrase "people's democratic dictatorship".

2. Cowardly, as in cowardly act of terrorism. Often used after the 11 September 2001 attacks, this one has had me scratching my head ever since. I could think of a number of negative adjectives to describe the actions of someone who hijacks a plane full of people and flies it into a tower, but cowardly wouldn't be high on the list.

3. Walked, as in walked away from a plane crash. In the said example, some 16 people survived a crash that killed more than 150 fellow passengers. I'd have thought they'd have run (if fit enough), limped, crawled or been stretchered away, rather than walked, which suggests strolling off casually after the most devastating experience of their lives.

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Languages evolve, Even the Brits don't speak English English anymore.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by mynah

Here I'm not referring to the incorrect use of words and phrases by those who are ignorant or confused about their meaning, but by deliberate misuse by those who should know better. Here, to start off the list, are three:

...
3. Walked, as in walked away from a plane crash. In the said example, some 16 people survived a crash that killed more than 150 fellow passengers. I'd have thought they'd have run (if fit enough), limped, crawled or been stretchered away, rather than walked, which suggests strolling off casually after the most devastating experience of their lives.

Along the lines of your number 3, I cringe at 'went missing'. If the phrase went missing went missing, we'd be the better for it.

As Definitively Distributed points out, language is always changing. This is why we update dictionaries. Since you mention 'those who should know better' I get that you refer to professional writers and as with all professions there is the good, the bad, and the ugly. Besides dictionaries there is for journalists an annual publication called AP Stylebook - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and for more general rules of use there is for example the The Bedford Handbook.

For concision and staying power though, nothing beats Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elements_of_Style

No book on writing will impact you more.

[freeztar]

Top of the list:

Natural

It's meaning is as obscure as its references are cosmopolitan.

[REASON]

Here's George Carlin doing a bit about Expressions and Sayings.

Not exactly misused words, but fits with the spirit of the thread.

*Warning* - Rated M for Mature do to Adult Content and Adult Language.

Laugh at your own risk.

YouTube - George Carlin - Expressions and Sayings

[mynah]

Originally Posted by REASON

Here's George Carlin doing a bit about Expressions and Sayings.

Not exactly misused words, but fits with the spirit of the thread.

*Warning* - Rated M for Mature do to Adult Content and Adult Language.

Mature and Adult are two more...

[Pyrotex]

"...and I"
misused.
As in: She gave that money to him and I.

Correct: He and I got that money from her.
Correct: She gave that money to him and me.

But listen around. Even educated newscasters and teachers are saying it wrong.

[Qfwfq]

Originally Posted by mynah

I've read in a normally reliable newspaper that the Chinese constitution actually contains the phrase "people's democratic dictatorship".

You mean the Chinese constitution is written in English?

Translation can be prone to pitfalls.

[Tormod]

Leading

As in "we are a leading company in the X sector". How? Why? When? Just about every company with a website today happens to be a "leading" company.

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Originally Posted by Tormod

Leading

As in "we are a leading company in the X sector". How? Why? When? Just about every company with a website today happens to be a "leading" company.

Because they can't remember who's following whom