Tuesday 17 May 2011

Words and Phrases that Have Become Sickening

I know it must fill the need to express some hitherto inexpressible emotion, but the phrase 'I just threw up a little bit in my mouth' is being used so much it's becoming unbearable (assuming you ever liked it to begin with).

Onomatopoeia is the name for a word that echoes its meaning in its sound; is there a similar word to describe something that induces the condition it sets out to express?

9 comments:

  1. I hate that phrase too. and the one about spitting coffee all over the keyboard. and ROFL.

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  2. What's the one about spitting coffee all over the keyboard? (I've just eaten a crumpet with honey while using the keyboard, by the way, and I don't recommend it.)

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  3. Please add 'Woot' and Booyah' to your list, along with 'All kinds of'. I should add, I guess, that those three are at least six months out of fashion by now, though not quite as passé as 'fully sick'.

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  4. It's a comment people often leave on blog posts "I laughed so much I spat coffee all over my keyboard" or words to that effect. there must be a helluva lot of coffee clogged keyboards out there

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  5. The response, "Really?" used to indicate perceived stupid or bad behavior or an outrageous circumstance. It drives me batty. Makes me want to POUR coffee on someone's keyboard. Or face. Or something.

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  6. Denis - 'woot', 'booyah' are new to me. Do they mean anything?
    Nurse - luckily I never make people laugh, no matter how hard I try
    Chris - Really?

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  7. I hate "Boo-yah!" myself. It's become so annoying. This is the best explanation I could find (from wisegeek.com):

    "Fans of financial advisor Jim Cramer's television program should recognize the exclamation Booyah as one of his most popular catchphrases. Most callers to Cramer's show begin their conversations with "Booyah!" followed by a question concerning possible stock investments. Cramer himself claims that the "Booyah" craze started when an investor from Louisiana called into the show to praise him for a recent piece of good advice. The caller's exuberant shout of "Boo-yah!" which he said was a popular exclamation in his state, soon caught on with other callers and Cramer himself.

    So what does it mean, exactly? It could actually mean a number of things, depending on the circumstances and the one who proclaims it. During a intense game of one-on-one basketball, for instance, a perfectly executed slam dunk might be immediately followed by the dunker shouting "Booyah" in the face of the dunkee. In those circles, booyah is generally translated as in your face! or Take that!. It is a taunt reserved for moments of memorable humiliation or superior physical dominance.

    There are other circumstances in which a solo competitor might shout "Booyah!" as in the case of a perfectly thrown three point shot during a basketball game or the third strike against an opposing batter. Even people who score personal successes outside of the sports world have been known to exclaim "Booyah" after landing a lucrative business deal or other seemingly impossible task. "Booyah!" seems to be the ideal shorthand to let others know about a personal success or good news.

    The origins of booyah are not exactly clear, but there are some interesting theories. Some sources say the expression started in Wisconsin, where there is also a casserole dish known as booyah. Others suggest that the exclamation is a shortened form of an African expression of joy, and its use in the United States began with African-American athletes using it as a competitive taunt during games. There is also some compelling evidence that it did indeed come from the Cajun culture of Louisiana, in the same sense as a jubilant "Ai YEE" or "YEE Haw" during musical jams.

    It is also possible that "booyah" was inspired by both the college chant "Boolah Boolah!" and the Marine shout of "Oo Rah!" Whatever the origin, an exuberant shout of "Booyah!" can feel very satisfying following a moment of personal success or great joy."

    (Sorry for the long reply.)

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  8. How have I so totally missed it? Of course, now it's been pointed out, I'll hear it everywhere. Thank you, Denis and Karen for so kindly enriching my life.

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