Fresh peeves

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From Deborah Williams:

I just found your site and would like to add “my two cents worth.” Several words and phrases that I hear daily annoy me, but these are my latest “pet peeves.”

  1. I have recently begun hearing newscasters state something like this, “The fire occurred at 3 a.m. in the morning.” I suppose “in the morning” is added so as not to be confused with 3 a.m. in the afternoon!
  2. Perhaps this has been included, but I was unable to find it. I often see the word “partnered” being used regularly. For example, I received a campaign brochure today from two local candidates for the school board (Lord, help us!) who claim, “Dan has partnered with Gary…” I never knew the noun partner was also a verb.
    3. sick and tired.” Let’s revive the word “weary” instead.
  3. Another redundant phrase often used by the current administration is “friends and allies.” Aren’t our allies by definition also our friends? Why must both words be used?

These are but a few of my current language annoyances. Love your site!

4 thoughts on “Fresh peeves”

  1. I don’t consider “friend” and “ally” to be synonymous. I have formed an alliance with people or organizations with whom I have a mutual interest but I would not necessarily designate them as friends. Additionally, I have friends with whom I disgaree on some issues and thus we are not allies on that issue.

    Check a dictionary for the denotation. In my opinion, the connotation of the word ‘friend’ means someone whom I like personally whereas ‘ally’ means someone with whom I have a mutual interest that we agree to work together to advance.

    Therefore, in answer to your question (assertion really) I do not believe allies are by definition also our friends. ‘Friend’ implies a closer, and more personal, relationship.

    I can merely hazard a guess why the current administration uses both words, but I believe it has to do with the connotation I mentioned.

    I agree they could find a better, more clear way to state it, but it might get too wordy.

  3. STOP USING “LITERALLY” TO MEAN ACTUALLY OR WITHOUT EXAGGERATION. IT’S BAD ENOUGH WHEN IT’S OVERUSED FOR NO GOOD REASON…IT’S EVEN WORSE WHEN IT’S USED FOR IT’S OPPOSITE MEANING AS IN, “HE LITERALLY CARRIED THE TEAM ON HIS SHOULDERS.” UNLESS HE’S A WEIGHT LIFTER WITH A VERY SMALL TEAM, IT’S UNLIKELY THAT THIS STATEMENT WILL EVER BE TRUE.

  4. What about all those ‘fresh’ shows on UPN and WB lately? I surely don’t see anything fresh in any of them. They are versions of Felicity and Dawson’s Creek, for the most part. While I find that acceptable, I don’t find it fresh or even refreshing.