Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

You're right, Kneumei. Often I think these phrases just rub off on vulnerable people, like a contagious disease. Like teen slang! OMG! Every time a food is said to be healthy rather than healthful, I cringe, but it seems my cringing does no good at all! Health writers and advertisers have all glommed onto the usage. I blanch in much the same way when something happens "on accident", presumably the opposite of on purpose. The worst is when the oft-repeated word or phrase is uttered frequently by someone whose status may not be challenged, e.g. the boss. Irregardless comes to mind. My vocabulary has seldom been challenged because so few people have bothered to develop theirs. But when it has been, I've been slightly mortified, then grateful to not go blundering on that way forever. It's a kindness, really. I tend to speak rather quaintly, using expressions my dad picked up in the WWII era. Sometimes people have no idea what I'm talking about--yes, it's the Jay Leno man on the street moment when I wonder whose native tongue this is, anyway! One of Dad's favorite expressions to express surprise would not be considered PC these days: "Cut off my legs and call me Shorty." I thought it was pretty cute and humorous. As the show often illustrates, our country is full of local expressions that give our English its color. But I stray....My English teacher in high school said there was no such word as "enthused", a word of which I had become fond. We are told not to get mad, but rather, angry. We mustn't be anxious for an event to arrive but look forward to it with excitement. OY. Sometimes I just forget.