Providing Mojo communicates in the affirmative
Except for the never ending spell checker, and the occasional peek in a thesaurus to make sure the word I want to use is actually the word I need to use, I write pretty much like I talk.
I tend to be extremely verbose and will repeat myself several times, only rephrasing Mojo Jojo style, to the chagrin of both myself and all those around me.
Since I began blogging, writing nearly everyday (now EVERY day for NaBloPoMo) I have become painfully aware of what must be for all of you ~ since it has become a persistent irritation for me ~ a nearly mind numbing vexation of constantly reading or hearing me repeat the same few words over and over until you think your ears will bleed.
I cannot seem to break the addiction of these few annoying terms:
- just
- absolutely
- definitely
- fabulous
- seriously
So you don’t feel alone in your misery, I also over use these in every day spoken conversation. I know there are many others, but to list them all would be too mortifying.
Until recently, I had never thought about how often I use the word ‘just.’ Now, even when it’s warranted, I try to find a substitute because I used up my allotment, my lifetime allotment, all in the past few months, if not weeks.
For who-knows-how-long, I would reply to almost every question that deserved a positive answer with a resounding ‘Oh, sure!’ It wasn’t until a group of friends began to mimic me that I realized how annoying I must have been.
I do know that I’m stuck in a rut, know I use the same few adverbs, the same hyperbole to the point I should be jabbed with stick until I stop. I even know what my trigger words are. I try to catch myself, to break the chain of abuse, but it’s as if my brain says ‘Stop,’ and my mouth says ‘Absolutely!’
Instead of clicking ’select all’ to find all my misspellings and grammar gaffs, I do a ‘find all’ to search and destroy my list of offending words.
Just be aware, that I absolutely know that I seriously have a problem, and I’m definitely working on a solution. Your continued support would be fabulous!
That is just absolutely a fabulous post, I mean seriously, that was definitely cool!
[Tara R.] Hockeyman… you so get it! That’s awesome!
Hey! I resemble that remark! Actually, I think we all do what you’re speaking of and to. It’s like a mental shorthand. It lets us react to information and situations in a fashion that says “Yes, I see and understand – I am aware” – but at the same time we are not fully engaged – we are not devoting every resource to formulating a unique response – because it isn’t called for.
When the time comes – when the situation calls for it – you’ll be there. Fully engaged and ready to respond. Until then – don’t sweat it. We love your repetitious self just the way you are.
[Tara R.] Lou… I know that other people probably have similar auto-responses, I get fixated on mine and it makes me crazy that I can’t seem to stop saying them.
(I love all of you guys too)
From one grammar nerd to another (apparent) nerd, I pick my words very carefully. Using thesaurus.com is a regular habit while I comment and post. Unless my brain doesn’t work, which is 80% of the time.
[Tara R.] AWLN… thesaurus.com is my crack. I cannot function without it.
Oh, I have the same problem. The words “immensely” & “perturbed,” and of course the combo “immensely perturbed” pop up in my writing-and my speech-quite often! You’ve just encouraged me to “recycle” a post I did a few months ago about the “Yuck List” posted in my classroom. It includes dozens of overused words/phrases…especially by teenagers! The first 5 on the list: Definitely, Numerous, Constantly, Boring, Sucks. The next five: Would have to be, Individual basis, At this point in time, Daily basis, aspect. The list is long. I feel your pain!
[Tara R.] Melissa B… I would love to see that list. I would have to print and post it in my office. I look forward to a re-posting.
Oh, we ALL do that! I have a friend who says “Absolutely” and “Gotcha” all the time and no idea she is doing it. I have been guilty of using “fabulous” so often that a friend gave me a little pillow that says “Absolutely fabulous”. Maybe my other friend and I can share it!!
[Tara R] Mrs. Who… absolutely! I love the pillow idea. I have to find a pillow big enough for all my words. One of those body rolls might do.
You crack me up…This post is BRILLIANT! Thanks for sharing – just, like, seriously, thanks!
[Tara R.] Laura… thank you! and You’re welcome, definitely.;)
Well, I never noticed.
I also have several annoying words and phrases that I tend to overuse. The “find all” list is a great idea!
[Tara R.] Jen… great, now you’ll be watching every word you read.
The ‘find all’ function is wonderful (I almost said ‘fabulous. HA!)
I’m not sure what my over used words, would be, but I would like to see the list. I think I will ask my 17 yo daughter what words I over use. She seems to notice everyones flaws!
[Tara R.] Stephanie… you have a daughter like that too? Small world.
LOL… it’s a catch 22 if you manage to find alternatives for your overused words. I know. I ‘apparently’ have my own set of overused words. I won’t go into the list. But when I wrote one day very consciously attempting to mix it up a bit, I was accused of using “big” words.
[Tara R.] Terri… I know what you mean. I can’t live without my thesaurus. I’ve always loved the written word, and love using the perfect word to convey what I want to say. I’ve been accused of using ‘big’ words too.
I can only work on one thing at a time!! After I clean up the clutter I’ll work on my grammar!
[Tara R.] Jill… I’m looking at it as de-cluttering my communications. Now, if I could only figure out how to take a picture of it.
I use/abuse the word “so” all of the time as in… “So, the next thing I did was blah, blah, blah.” “So, then I took off running…” “So, today was a craptastic day…”
I often find myself searching for and obliterating the “so” word at least ten times per post. Unfortunately, thesaurus.com (although I use it constantly) does not give an adequate replacement for the word “so”… I mean I can only use “thus” so many times before someone begins to think I am plagiarizing Shakespeare.
[Tara R.] Anna… ’so’ is another of those words for me too. A thesaurus can help me only so much too.
It’s those annoying adverbs, ain’t it? And you know what else annoys me about me, besides my incessant questions? The fact that even when I proof my comments, I invariably leave a typo of some kind behind. Although I’ve tried to be really, really good in this comment, to prove myself wrong, of course!
[Tara R.] Veggie… thanks for keeping me honest… adverbs! I really did know that. Most of the time I type far faster than I can think and will always miss a goof no matter how many times I read over something for errors.
I know what you mean. I think I say the same words over and over and over again. Seriously, I really, really do. So, I totally, totally understand what you mean! And tipos jest happn even after we proof read.
[Tara R.] rjlight… I’ll grab onto a word I like and then overwork it to death. It’s good to hear from so many others with the same affliction.
I have approproximately(1) ten words that I over use to the death. Ultimately(2), it ends up being repetitive and silly, as if I don’t know other words. Seriously(3)? I’ve never noticed you doing it. Never ever.
[Tara R.] Zoeyjane… only 10? You have more willpower than I do. Never noticed? I’ll have to take your work for that.
Seriously. I definitely need to just stop using some of those words. It’s absolutely annoying how much I repeat myself.
[Tara R.] Sandy… even though I over use them, sometimes they are still the only ones that work in certain situations. Meh!
Mine are “right” and “really”…ask anyone who talks on the phone with me and they will tell you that I don’t sound Canadian, but I say right A LOT.
[Tara R.] Jen… I use ‘a lot’ a lot, and guilty of abusing ‘really’ too. *whew* good company.
i use the word seriously, like, ALL.THE.TIME.
and actually, “like” too. my parents used to make fun of me for that when i was in high school. my friends & i were big fans of that word. now, i basically say “seriously” or “SHUT UP” (in kind of a “no WAY?!” kind of way..)
hmm.. this is a GOOD post!
[Tara R.] Heather… my daughter used ‘like’ all the time too. I think now that she is in college that habit is about broken. Now she says ‘not gonna lie’ a lot. She picked up ’shut up’ from Grey’s Anatomy too.
Pshhh.. I don’t think you have a problem at all. I like people who write like they talk. I do it. (You’ve seen my list of overused words and phrases, right??!) I figure, “Why try to be something I’m not?” Blogs are our personal narrative, not an essay for college.
No one’s grading….Are they??*gulp*
[Tara R.] Nissa… grades!? Now I’m going to have those school nightmares again.
I know I use the same words, too. You’re better than I, because you’re attempting to get better. I sadly, will not…….
[Tara R.] AFF… attempting and succeeding are two different things. HA! Totally!
I would have never noticed.. esp because I have about a 20 word limit in the my actual vocab… I need to branch out and become ebumacated or something..but I am lazy.. so you keep writing how you write because I love it regardless….
[Tara R.] Kim… oooohhh… someone else loves the thesaurus!Thanks darlin’
Can we not talk about this? Because I’m not sure I could write another word if I focused on this stuff too much.
[Tara R.] April… I have to write for work everyday… I can’t escape this. It’s amazing that I still find something more rattling around in my head to write about. We’re more than half way done! Woohoo!
Seriously?
I decided long ago that we all have words and phrases we overuse (I know, right?), so I do my best to not harp on others’ as long as they aren’t harping on mine! WOOT!
[Tara R.] DD… I might smile at someone’s pet word, but I wouldn’t say anything either. That opens the door for them to bring up mine. HA!