Top 10 Most Odious Phrases in the English Language: #3 Dude*

Number 3 is:

"Dude"* -- We put an asterisk beside this juvenile grunt, for it ascends (or is it descends?) to the odiousness short list when used by any one older than 21 in any of the following three ways:


a) As a filler such as "like" or "um", i.e., "Dude, is the election next Wednesday?";


b) As an exclamation, i.e., "Dude! My unemployment check bounced;" or


c) As a proper noun, say, in lieu of the name given by one's parents: "Congrats on your Ph.D., Dude."


Note, usage of "dude" as a common noun or blogger pseudonym only reached #37 on our list. So, rest easy. And if you are feeling down for your prior and/or repeated, impermissible usage of the term, just relax ... and party on, dude. And if this Wayne's World approach won't cure you, well, try a little "scared straight" action, as I provide as a public service the actual translation of usages a), b), and c) above:


"I am the most stunningly ignorant person you have spoken with in the last 5 minutes (at least since the prior 30- or 40-something said "Dude") ... and worse than than that, I really want to be 19 again, and I want young people to think that I am a with it, cool, hip, swell, ass-crack-tat-sportin', neat-o, veritable George McFly. I wish young people liked me, so much so that I don't notice that educated adults shun me like Larry 'Wide Stance' Craig in an airport bathroom."