Some Words We Wish Would Disappear . . .

Pop culture provides a real workout for tons of words and phrases  which we are forced to hear over and over again.

How we wish they would go away.
Anyway, in no particular order, here are some of the most over-used words and phrases of  late:

1) Narrative
As in "that's not the narrative" or "he has to change the narrative." Hey, narrative was pretty much always associated with fiction as in a film narrative or the narrative of a play or book. But now it's entered the ream of real-life as if to suggest we can change the "narrative" of our life or of other's lives just as a politician can (presumably) change the "narrative" of his/her campaign. To which we say: B-a-l-o-n-e-y!

2) Existential or existential threat

It means (we suppose) something in the here and now or a real and present danger. But for those of us who remember Jean Paul Sartre it's a philosophical take on the meaning of life, or lack thereof, as in existentialism. So why don't we just say "current" or "present" or "now"?

3) Franchise.
Franchise used to mean McDonald's or Burger King or Taco Bell. But now, every NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB team is a franchise. Downton Abbey is a franchise. Star Wars is a ubiquitous franchise. The Clintons are a franchise. As the name has [wrongly] become synonymous with brands and branding we're being franchised to death. Indeed, funeral homes now offering "life celebrations" are officially franchised. We're franchised from womb to tomb it seems.

4) Legacy.
Everybody seems to be worried about his/her legacy. Even ordinary people (who are now celebritized via Facebook) have to consider their legacy. It's something that all too many of us are obsessed with to the point of calibrating it daily. In fact, one would imagine that Biden has been consumed by thoughts of his legacy almost since the day he entered politics hundreds of years ago. Good luck with that, Joe!

5) Iconic and Ironic.
No, everyone's not iconic and everything's not ironic. In fact, many edifices thought to be iconic are not. Yes, the Eiffel Tower is iconic and so is the Empire State Building and Big Ben and the pyramids and the shape of a Coke bottle. Sinatra remains iconic as well. But Justin Bieber isn't an icon and neither is the London Eye. As for ironic, that only applies to things that happen in the opposite way than what was expected, causing wry amusement. Look it up and find examples that will guide you in the proper use of the word because it's not ironic that you woke up on one side of the bed while your mate woke up on the other -- unless of course each of you woke up on the opposite side from where you retired.

6) Bespoke

If something is bespoke it's made especially for you. It's specifically crafted, OK? Now, let's face it, not everything that is termed "bespoke" these days is all that special. It's not like anyone's selling very much of anything that is hand made or hand crafted anymore. So, let's get over it.

7) Microaggression.
The term has now come to include everyday slights, snubs, or insults (however subtle or unintended)  communicating hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based upon their marginalized group membership. But, how can the insulted people be "targeted" if the snubs or insults are "unintended"? And who determines what is a "marginalized" group and who is a member of such a group? There's a word for all this: Stupid!

8) Dystopian.

Suddenly, everything is dystopian. Dystopia is an imagined place where there is great suffering or injustice. It's a very dark place. And the woke crowd believes that this imagined world of darkness is alive -- that it's the state we live in right now. And they want you to believe this as well because if they can get you to buy into it then they can impose the drastic changes they want to bring about. Ditch the dreary myth of dystopia. It's bullsh-t!

9) Safe Place and Safe Space.

This sort of goes along with those who are fleeing microaggression and all those other feigned indignities. Hey, in a world where a little baby is no longer safe in its own mother's womb (where that same baby may have his/her body parts carved out and sold) there is no safe place or space anywhere, anymore. Grow up!

10) Transgender, Trans, Tran and Transgendered.

We've known about it since Christine Jorgenson, which was more than 60 years ago. There's nothing new here. And though there's not quite nothing to see here, there's nothing that we're longing to see, either. Our message: If you want us to consider this "normal" then go on with your life in as ordinary a fashion as humanly possible and please, don't make a spectacle of yourself.

11) Artisanal.

Another totally phony concoction. Have you heard of something that was homemade? Yeah, like something you or I might be able to do at home. Like those cookies you made for Christmas. You're an arTEEST! Oh my, that's soooo artisanal. Voila!

12) Here's just one more: Engagement.

The word was pretty much always associated with betrothals -- the path to marriage. But, who the hell knows what marriage even is anymore, so now it's all about our collective engagement as in "civic engagement." Do you want to have a conversation or hold a meeting or hear from others? Then, you will have to "engage" them. We will all become engaged! It's all so damned engaging, isn't it?