Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Misused terms

Whenever someone uses the title "busybody" to describe themselves as a human version of the energizer bunny (just going and going and going, super duper busy, always working on things, never resting, etc.), it makes me sigh and shake my head. I'd take the time to tell them they were wrong and explain to them what that title actually means and how they should phrase things they say and write in the future (without them asking for my advice of course)...but that would make me a busybody.



bus·y·bod·y  

/ˈbizēˌbädē/
Noun
A meddling or prying person.
Synonyms
meddler

I have actually heard this term being misused (and some might say slaughtered) several times within the last week. This surprises me because I, trapped in my naive view of the world, really thought everyone knew what a busybody was. I can see where someone could make the mistake of thinking of "busy" and "body" and translating that into "my body is always busy," but it still bothers me. I think the term you are looking for is "busy bee."

Speaking of misused terms that bother me...this next one is probably the one that irritates me the most. I don't know why, it just really really irritates me when people use the phrase to "pants" someone when they really should be saying "de-pants" someone. Honestly, saying you "pantsed" someone should translate into "I put pants on someone." They were already wearing pants; you took those pants away..."DE-PANTS."


de-
prefix

Definition

 used to add the meaning 'opposite', 'remove', or 'reduce' to a noun or verb
de-pants: to remove someone's pants.

It therefore follows that "pantsing" someone is the opposite of de-pantsing so next time you say you "pantsed" your cousin, you better be saying you put his pants on.

Those two are just my specialty pet peeves, but the next one is actually a very common annoyance among many English majors and civilians alike. I am, of course, referring to the improper use of the word ironic. It's ironic that so many people who grew up speaking English can't use their own language properly...or is it? Lets just say that rain on your wedding day is NOT ironic.

i·ron·ic  

/īˈränik/
Adjective
  1. Using or characterized by irony.
  2. Happening in the opposite way to what is expected, thus typically causing wry amusement.
Synonyms
ironical - derisive - quizzical

The song itself, however, is surprisingly ironic because every single example of irony Alanis Morissette gives in her lyrics are, in fact, not actual examples of irony. Whether she did it on purpose or not, we will never know. All I know is that song drives me insane and so do people who say "that's ironic" when it most definitely IS NOT.

Just remember people: 

A busybody is the person who meddles in everything, knows all the gossip of the town, and who can't help but tell other people what to do. Yes, they are very busy and constantly up to no good, but that doesn't mean you can use the phrase to describe yourself as an active person. You are misusing the term. Please stop.

Considering the fact that de-pants is the proper way to say that you removed your brother's pants (the prefix de- adding the meaning remove to the noun pants) in front of the girl he had a crush on, to pants someone would actually have the opposite meaning in that it would imply that your brother was already standing there in his boxers and you put pants on him...or perhaps he was even already wearing pants and you surprised him by somehow slipping another pair of pants over the first pair (that would be quite the accomplishment actually...I think I should try that). So, next time you say you "pantsed" your brother, I am going to infer that you put a pair of pants on him for some unknown reason.

Irony. The word ironic can only be used when something is the opposite of what is expected. Having no wheel chair ramp at a handicap facility is ironic, the Titanic being labeled the "unsinkable" ship (only to have it sink on it's first trip out) is ironic, a fire truck catching fire is ironic, and Little John's name (considering that he was a very large man) is ironic. Rain on your wedding day, a free ride when you already paid, and some good advice just a little too late...those things are NOT ironic. You are misusing the term. Please stop.