TMI Tuesday #35 - Language Edition.

1. What is your language pet peeve. (example 'hot water heater', why would you heat hot water)
Two that spring to mind that get used all the time are ATM machine and PIN number. ATM stands for Automatic Teller Machine so you are actually saying machine twice. Same with Personal Identification Number. If you really must add the machine or number then at least call it an AT machine, or a PI number. I have many other language peeves, like the blatant misuse or misplacement of apostrophes, but those are the two most common ones.

2. What is your favourite word? Both dirty and clean?
Favourite dirty word is 'fuck'. I also like 'cock' and 'cunt', but 'fuck' would be my favourite because it is fun to say and has so many uses and so many different meanings. It can be everything from a noun, verb, or adjective, to a curse word, and all points in between. So versatile and I love to say it. There should be more words like 'fuck'. I have lots of favourite clean words, but I can't think of a single one right now. Usually they are fun to say or have unusual spellings or meanings.
[Edit] - Zephyr is a word that I like because of it's spelling.

3. What is the one word you cannot spell?
Necessary. I can never remember if it is double c, double s, both or neither. Hence a spellcheck or dictionary is often necessary.

4. What is the one word you always pronounce wrong?
Nothing springs to mind, but if anything it would be words that are pronounced differently but spelt the same.
[Edit] - bow. Bow as in bow & arrow, and bow as in the front of a boat. Words like this sometimes trip me up.

5. If you could erase one popular catchphrase from the English language, what would it be?
The use of the word 'like' in young people's vocabularies. They can't seem to complete a single sentence without using it. For example;
"Like, let's go to my place and like, just hang out"
"Yeah, like, awesome, dude! Shall I like, bring something to drink?"
You get the picture.

Bonus (as in optional): The late, and very hot Michael Hutchence (INXS) once sang, "Words are weapons, sharper than knives" . What is the most hurtful thing you have ever said to anyone? Was it deliberate or accidental? What was the most hurtful thing ever said to you? Do you think it was deliberate or accidental?
I am sure that I have said many hurtful things, both deliberately and accidentally, but I can't recall any right at the moment. When someone hurts me I can sometimes say the most awful things in the heat of the moment. Like a lot of things said when under the influence of anger, they are usually regretted once things have calmed down. These days I try to bite my tongue.