Is it just me who loathes certain words?  The curvaceous Mad Men star Christina Hendricks revealed in a TV interview her most hated word is ‘chafe’.  Like everything else, language and words follow trends and are influenced by popular culture.  However, being a language puritan, the majority of my ‘Word 101’ list is slang.  As a writer and a proofreader, words are my tools.   Here are some of the words that are, for me, the lexicographical equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard:

– Holibobs.  This slang word sets my teeth on edge.  What’s wrong with the word holiday(s)?  It just sounds stupid when coming out of the mouth of anyone over 10.

– Furbabies.  (Is this two words?)  As in your pets.  I love my dog but I’m an intelligent woman and I know he isn’t my baby. Cringe.

– Hubby. This is a hideous word nobody under 50 should ever use, along with ‘comfy’. It really is downhill all the way from here …

– Amazeballs. Thank you, reality TV, where it is cool to be, or pretend to be, a bit thick.

– Discharge.  This word always makes me shudder.  Unfortunately for me, my day job sometimes  involves dealing with banking court cases where loans are discharged. It crops up a lot.

– So. Sentences beginning with ‘So …’ are usually seen on social media sites and normally herald the start of a long and boring story, as in: “So, I’m in the supermarket earlier and …”  Don’t get me started on the grammar.

I could go on and on but I won’t.  Please comment and let me know yours …