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Pangloss62 · 08-24-2006, 11:21 AM

I generally don't appreciate it when English usage falls into the "noun as verb" routine. Where I work we "partner" with stakeholders. Much of this change came out of corporate America as companies strove to sound new and innovative. Think glossy brocure or employee pep rally. But there are some phrases that should just be banned:

Any version of "thinking outside of the box." A most egregious use of this is when people say "think out of the box" which sounds to me that the person's thoughts are pre-esembled and ready to be expressed as soon as they come out of a box, so it's sounds opposite of what it should mean.

Recently, "step up," "stepping up," or "stepping up to the plate" is out of control. They even have a movie called "Step Up"

I will scream if I hear (like I did this morning on the radio) anyone referring to "taking it to the next level." Of all the stupid catch phrases, this is the worst and most overly used.

Can you guys think of any more?

08-24-2006, 11:21 AM	#7
Pangloss62 Lecturer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 768	Nouns as Verbs I generally don't appreciate it when English usage falls into the "noun as verb" routine. Where I work we "partner" with stakeholders. Much of this change came out of corporate America as companies strove to sound new and innovative. Think glossy brocure or employee pep rally. But there are some phrases that should just be banned: Any version of "thinking outside of the box." A most egregious use of this is when people say "think out of the box" which sounds to me that the person's thoughts are pre-esembled and ready to be expressed as soon as they come out of a box, so it's sounds opposite of what it should mean. Recently, "step up," "stepping up," or "stepping up to the plate" is out of control. They even have a movie called "Step Up" I will scream if I hear (like I did this morning on the radio) anyone referring to "taking it to the next level." Of all the stupid catch phrases, this is the worst and most overly used. Can you guys think of any more? __________________ Things are never as good, or bad, as they seem. Last edited by Pangloss62; 08-24-2006 at 11:24 AM.