Do you see words and phrases that make your eyes roll? Maybe it’s overused corporate jargon, internet shorthand that’s so overused it’s lost all meaning, or just phrases used out of context.

Today, just for fun, I’m sharing my personal Room 101 of words and phrases – a completely random, and definitely incomplete list of linguistic annoyances. It’s lighthearted and a little bit ranty, but potentially/hopefully a bit relatable.

Corporate-speak crimes

How about these hollow corporate classics:

• We thank you for your patience at this time – at this time?? The extra words add nothing but irritation.

• Our thoughts are with xxx at this (optional ‘difficult’ here) time – The phrase “at this time” feels as if it’s been tacked on for no reason other than to sound more official, when it just makes it sound officious and insincere.

Trying too hard words

These words are often deployed (see below for my thoughts on that word) to sound smarter but end up doing the opposite:

• Identify as – Nine times out of ten, the word you’re looking for here is “is.” Why overcomplicate it?

• Utilise – Controversial, I know, but in most cases, just say “use.” It’s cleaner, shorter, and doesn’t make you sound like you’re trying too hard.

Cringey internet speak

Here are a few social media based ones I’d happily never see again:

• Touch grass – Enough already.

• Educate yourself – Often used by people who haven’t done their own homework.

• Breaking! – 90% of the time, the news is neither breaking nor news.

• Checks notes – Lazy and profoundly irritating.

• We are ahead of our skis on this one – what??? I read that on Threads. I didn’t stick around on Threads.

Overused news clichés

Here’s one for the online headlines brigade:

• Breaks silence – Usually means ‘comments about a thing’. It’s clickbait in its most irritating form.

Random personal gripes

Some words and phrases that just grate for no logical reason:

• Literally – When used incorrectly, which most of the time it literally is.

• Nuance – It’s funny how often this word is used by people who have no interest in nuance and/or understanding of the word.

• Triggered – Not inherently bad, but the way it’s been co-opted for mockery gets under my skin.

• Deploy – No discernable reason. It just annoys me.

Language is fluid and subjective—what irks one person might delight another. Still, there’s something cathartic about naming and shaming the words that make you cringe. Do you have any linguistic pet peeves that deserve a spot in Room 101?

Let me know in the comments, but please, for the love of all things good, don’t start your reply with, “I’m excited to share that…” which is my No1 least favourite thing on LinkedIn.