Mental Hang Ups

Are there any phrases or expressions that just bug you? Even when used “correctly” there are some expressions that for some reason annoy me. For example:

“Full-heartedly” 

I will never use this phrase (other than above). It’s completely possible to refer to a full heart in some way or another, but wholeheartedly is not only more common, it just sounds better in my ears.

“Notion”

Rhymes with “potion” but for some reason feels foreign to say.

“Goes up” (conversely: “Goes down”)

Elevators and escalators do go up and down, but in other references I will always opt to use: increase, decrease, climb, fall, rise, etc. in whatever conjugation is appropriate. When the level of something rises, it’s not inappropriate to say that the “level goes up;” it just sounds elementary to me and I feel like there’s always a better way to describe something.

Watson creeps down the stairs

“Supper”

I always prefer to say “dinner” (or “lunch” according to some). This word also reminds me of Snoopy.

These are just some of my mental hang ups when it comes to words. Our brains are very strange places to say the least!

What are some of your hang ups?

 

One thought on “Mental Hang Ups

  1. In New Orleans folks “make groceries” instead of buying them. I got used to it when I was living there but it still sounds funny when my daughter says it.

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