"A picture postcard"
(morning, view, etc.), overused by weather-guessers
"Every parent's worst nightmare
..." (and most of the talent who abuse this phrase do not have
kids ... for there is only ONE worst nightmare)
"The worst case we've ever seen
..." (As a long-time PIO, I watched and listened with bemusement
as talent after talent tried to put such words in my mouth, time and
time and time again.)
"Tragic" when used to
describe situations ranging from a puppy with a broken leg when hit by
a passing car to a traffic crash in which three teens are hospitalized
or from a plane crash in which 228 die to a gas leak and attendant
explosion in which thousands die. All are "tragic"?
"Actually ..." Mrs. B, listen
to any channel - broadcast or cable - on which reporters, pundits,
talent and interviewees are speaking. Folks use the word
"actual" in its various incarnations as a pause, as an
embellishment ... as anything but a necessary part of speech.
"The governor's office actually released a statement ..."
(which is what government offices do); "The storm actually
knocked down three trees ..." (as opposed to not actually ...?);
"We're actually joined, now, by the spokesman for the Clearwater
Police ..."; (FROM JUST NOW AS I WRITE: "The overall trend
for the next two mornings will actually be ..."; "We
actually have a dog here from ..." "No, actually, he can sit
down ..."; "So this you can actually put in the car
..." said the anchor of a ... car seat!)
Wayne Shelor
Bradenton, Florida
