Linguistic Pet Peeves

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Okay, y'all. In spite of what some people will say, your use of language will influence what people think of you, and how intelligent and/or competent they think you are.

My current number one: You don't LOOSE your license, you lose it. (If your license is loose, you need to capture it...)

Don't even get me started on loosing YOU'RE license...

What are other some other linguistic "nails on chalkboard" for folks?

I have a long list of language pet peeves, but I guess the one that really gets under my skin the most is misuse of the word ironic. Usually when I hear it, the speaker means to say coincidental.

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I also can't stand when people constantly say "literally". I saw an internet meme once that said "Misuse of the word 'literally' drives me figuratively insane".

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"Media-sty-num" and "umba-like-us" (mediastinum and umbilicus). I have much more trouble with pronunciation than vocabulary...

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turtle_RN said:

How has no one mentioned the informal use of "am" as a stand-in/shortened version of the contraction, "I'm."

It's mostly used in written form, but I first started seeing it in high school when my best friend used to write "am bored" sometimes.

I'm starting to see it much more often on social media.

That drives me absolutely crazy when I see it.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Home Health.

The only place I've heard this so far is from older people in the middle of Amish country, but diarrhea being pronounced "di-a-REE" really bothers me.

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Regional colloquialisms just don't irritate me as much as Nurses who have multiple degrees but still cannot spell. Ever heard of spell check?

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Isn't it " Couldn't care less"? Really, people born in the US should learn English as well as our Immigrants.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
smf0903 said:
"Hey Jane, I just seen you the other day!"

I knew a guy years ago who actually would say "I seed that"

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

It is so frustrating to me when a nurse is telling me in report that a patient is admitted with an exasperation of COPD/MS/CHF.... It is EXACERBATION. I had no idea that the patient's illness was angry.

I also get frustrated when people sat O2 Stats for O2 sats.

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Specializes in ER.
Regional colloquialisms just don't irritate me as much as Nurses who have multiple degrees but still cannot spell. Ever heard of spell check?

I herd of spell check, its good two use when their is a question in you're mind.

My post checks out wale.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I herd of spell check, its good two use when their is a question in you're mind.

My post checks out wale.

I know this is satirical, but I still just need to go weep for the future of our nation's literacy. I can see this being only too true.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
Caroline123 said:
Yes, awake, alert and orientated. I hear it all the time when I'm conversating with people!

Was the patient also easily aroused? 

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