Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[Sir Velo]

"The fastest human on Earth" does at least leave open the possibility that there may be faster ones on Venus, Mars, etc. or exoplanets. It's still too soon to know for sure.

So does planets doesn't it? After all, there are other planets - Venus, Mars etc.

The point I was making was that "planet" now seems to have supplanted "Earth" in constructions of this type. You can take your pick whether it's "fastest human", "highest volcano", "wettest city", "smallest rodent" etc.

[Serial_Apologist]

OPTICS

I always thought they were drink apportioning dispensers, but they now seem to have acquired a mysterious new meaning. Can anybody explain to me what this is?

[cloughie]

OPTICS

I always thought they were drink apportioning dispensers, but they now seem to have acquired a mysterious new meaning. Can anybody explain to me what this is?

I always thought it was a branch of Physics!
…or spectacles ‘when cleaning them I think you cannot be optimistic with a misty optic’
Misty optics, of course, bedevilling wearing of masks in high atmospheric humidity.

[french frank]

OPTICS

I always thought they were drink apportioning dispensers, but they now seem to have acquired a mysterious new meaning. Can anybody explain to me what this is?

North American
(typically in a political context) the way in which an event or course of action is perceived by the public.

"what we really need in this circumstance is to make smart decisions in the best interest of student safety—not simply make changes that win political points for optics"

Connected with British(?) 'have a good look' as in that doesn't have a good look, does it? Or is that American too?

[Serial_Apologist]

North American
(typically in a political context) the way in which an event or course of action is perceived by the public.

"what we really need in this circumstance is to make smart decisions in the best interest of student safety—not simply make changes that win political points for optics"

Connected with British(?) 'have a good look' as in that doesn't have a good look, does it? Or is that American too?

Well, as to the latter I don't know, though I suspect so. But thanks for the explanation, ff - another Americanism, though in this case I suppose it doesn't matter, there being no already existing word to cover its meaning.

[Padraig]

But thanks for the explanation, ff - another Americanism, though in this case I suppose it doesn't matter, there being no already existing word to cover its meaning.

I don't know why Americanisms should present a problem in themselves. Optics, for example, in its current use, is a great word. As for 'a good look', I find it interesting that it seems to be usually used in the negative as indicated by f f. Is it a subtle way of avoiding the word 'bad'? Note too that 'That looks bad' is a very stark phrase compared to 'That doesn't have a good look.' Optics count.

[kernelbogey]

'Quote-unquote' spoken before the word or phrase being referred to - instead of bracketing it.

[french frank]

'Quote-unquote' spoken before the word or phrase being referred to - instead of bracketing it.

How do you speak brackets?

[Serial_Apologist]

'Quote-unquote' spoken before the word or phrase being referred to - instead of bracketing it.

So you say "in brackets" before whatever it is that would otherwise be written in quotes?

I can't see how that represents any improvement - and brackets aren't inverted commas!

I see ff got there first!

[Bryn]

How do you speak brackets?

Parenthetically?

[kernelbogey]

'Quote-unquote' spoken before the word or phrase being referred to - instead of bracketing it.

I.e. Quote alleged unquote
rather than quote unquote alleged
to convey "alleged"

[french frank]

I.e. Quote alleged unquote
rather than quote unquote alleged
to convey "alleged"

Ah, I see that. But what is the use of the word 'alleged' supposed to convey in such a context?

[Petrushka]

Why is the word 'egregious' so over-used these days?

I can't remember it being in use until recently, then all of a sudden it's everywhere. Not a word I've found of much use, preferring 'bad', shocking'. awful' or similar more effective synonyms to convey my meaning.

[Serial_Apologist]

Why is the word 'egregious' so over-used these days?

I can't remember it being in use until recently, then all of a sudden it's everywhere. Not a word I've found of much use, preferring 'bad', shocking'. awful' or similar more effective synonyms to convey my meaning.

Yes but think of all the times "bad", "shocking" and "awful" were used insufficiently to cover the enormity of what they were describing! "Egregious" seems to have an extra "edge", couldn't one say?

[Bryn]

Yes but think of all the times "bad", "shocking" and "awful" were used insufficiently to cover the enormity of what they were describing! "Egregious" seems to have an extra "edge", couldn't one say?

It's been part of my, mainly political, vocabulary for at least half a century.