We humans are so interesting to ourselves that we have plenty of sciences studying us – from our biology to our behavior and speech. Due to these studies, nearly everything we do or think has a certain name.
For example, did you know that disliking certain words is called word aversion? Well, if you didn't, you do now. Plus, you have a full list of examples of the words people feel averse to, which were shared on one of the r/ask threads. So, let's jump into this list and see if we also feel gross about these words!
More info: Reddit
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Unalive.
What is wrong with saying killed or diied? Misspelling is intentional by the way to avoid the BP censorship.
Nothing is wrong with the words, Glix, but you've got a hole in one with the reason for your misspellings. "Unalived" came into parlance partially due to advertisers on sites not wanting words like KILL or DIE or MURDER or SUICIDE or DRÚGS - or words for human genitals - to come up on the sites they advertise on. They say it makes people associate their brand with those concepts (ludicrous, but that's corpospeak for you.) It also arose partially (and in an a-hole manner, I imagine) because of the rise of people accepting the concept of "trigger words" and "trigger concepts" for people who had been traumatized or abused. So (I think) a bunch of a-holes on Reddit started using "unalive" because "we can't say KILL or SUICIDE, that might TRIGGER SOMEONE!!!!!1" (* it could be the a-hole-ness wasn't a part of it, but knowing Reddit, I imagine it was.)
Load More Replies...It is such a disrespectful thing to prioritize false "PC" concepts over the tragic death of people... ESPECIALLY when it comes to suicide... God what an insult... You would rather demean the memory of the people who suffer injustice like that to appease the psychopathic unfeeling companies with virtue signalling people (Who I imagine are EXACTLY like Ashley from the Boys series) forcing this s**t? For what??? their AD money???
I think this one came about to avoid censorship, triggers and demonitisation
On Youtube, there are a bunch of words content creators can't say anymore. Suicide, murder and many more.
They can say them. There are rumours that the AI would stifle their videos and ad companies would abandon them... Some might abandon them sure but it is not a measure of success. As for the AI filter rumour... It was either fake or the AI was adjusted. Plenty of YouTubers say all manner of words and get away with it. Both good and bad ppl... A bad one is logan paul who streamed a victim of suicide...Then scammed kids... Now is selling food for kids under false pretenses with mr beast. Still gets ads... My conclusion is...The companies ACT PC...But if there is money THEY DON'T CARE! So small content creators are terrorized with bans and other things and the literal psychopaths thrive... ps: If you have kids or niblings...Please do not let them watch those guys. Not only do they target scams to kids mr beast specifically knowingly surrounded himself by not ONE NOT TWO but THREE predators...One called Delware after the city he was banned from as he molested a preteen girl. SICK...
Load More Replies...How TF is "moist" not on this list? I've witnessed more arguments over the word "moist" than I've witnessed about every word on this list, combined.
I'm not sure why death has become so taboo subject. It happens to everyone eventually and we all go there by different means. Hiding those words isn't going to make it go away. Yes some ways people die in ghastly ways but discussing it in a sensible adult way will help others not go that way
Yes. But all these sites that have a comment section won't let you write certain words.
Influencer.
Bae
“Oh my god i miss my bae so much🥺🥺🥺”
STFU.
Or when 'Bro' is pronounced as 'Bra'. I'm old. I don't need this kind of stress.
Many of those who spend at least a part of their time online know that the internet hates the word “moist.” Funnily enough, it doesn’t appear on our list, but we have many others that people despise.
But why do people hate “moist” so much? Scientists say it’s because of the word’s associations with bodily functions and parts. Some people argue they don’t like its phonics, but then they don’t have the same reaction to the words that sound kind of similar, like “foist” or “rejoiced.” Plus, when “moist” is paired with food words, people aren’t as disgusted by it.
"preggers" makes my neck twinge.
Hate it when people shorten things needlessly, like saying "preesh" instead of "I appreciate it". Lazy m**********r, just say "thanks".
Alpha male.
Some Redditors say that the hate for this word is either a cultural or internet joke, which has been referenced in TV shows like “How I Met Your Mother” or “Dead Like Me.” People aren’t as bothered by the word as they claim to be for attention or the joke’s sake. After all, the word itself is normal; it doesn’t even have a negative connotation, just unpleasant associations.
Interestingly, the phenomenon of people’s hatred towards certain words has a name – word aversion. In some sources, it is also called logomisia. Basically, it’s when people feel distaste for the sound or sight of a word because it feels redundant, overused, or simply unpleasant to them.
Vacay. I’m overcome with an urge to destroy every time I hear it.
What in gods name is wrong with me?
"littles" and "boy mom"
I hate them.
Panties.
Something about it sounds so skeevy. JUST SAY UNDERWEAR 🤢🤢🤢
Eta I had no idea so many people were so passionately devisive about this word lol.
A professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Chicago, Jason Riggle says that logomisia is similar to phobias – people with word aversion are disgusted by certain words instead of being simply annoyed by them, basically having a visceral reaction.
Apparently, words like the mentioned “moist,” “vomit,” “mucus” and “phlegm,” to mention a few, gross quite a lot of people out. Again, most of the time this is because they have associations with something gross, like bodily fluids.
Here, people on Reddit were discussing how the word “phlegm” might be even grosser than the infamous “moist,” because the latter at least has some positive connotations, while the former doesn’t.
Toxic. It seems everything is toxic these days: relationships, bosses, employees, teachers, books and friends; everything except actual poisons.
That’s why people working in journalism and especially marketing have to be wary that some people simply can’t stand certain words and it influences their behavior as consumers. For instance, they might be inclined to not purchase a product if its description, packaging, or marketing includes a word they feel averse to.
For a second, let’s come back to the notorious “moist.” Research has found that if this word is featured on hygiene products, consumers are less likely to buy them because it repels them. At the same time, if the same word was on food packages, people wouldn’t be as repulsed by it, because in this context the word has a non-repulsive meaning.
Again, it proves that while sometimes word aversion is real, in other cases it is more context-based.
Still, it’s normal for people to have words they dislike, even if it’s seemingly for no proper reason. This list is full of examples of them, from kind of weird ones to completely understandable ones.
Knowing that a lot of aversion to words comes from context, it’s quite likely that these people heard/saw these words being used in an unpleasant context and it drove them to hatred, which is absolutely normal. After all, without it, this entertaining list wouldn’t have been possible, so at least some goodness was put into the world with them, right?
Do you have a word you hate seemingly for no reason? Share with us in the comments!
Synergy.
As a company that word for us is a deal breaker. We have a rule where once uttered during any meeting we get up and leave.
Orientate - just seems like one too many syllables.
I like "orient ", but I'm lazy. It means find the east when the sun rises.
"Utilize." Please just say "use" and save some syllables.
And when did 'price' become 'price point'?? I mean what the hell? Sorry, I meant what the hell point?
Game changer. Cant stand it.
Succulent. Unless you're talking about a plant.
People who use the word literally constantly. Got an email from someone yesterday complaining that they are "literally freezing" while at work. You are cold and figuratively freezing. If you were literally freezing you would be dead.
And sentences containing "basically, like, totally" every third word or so. My peeve is "bubbly" as in she/he/they were so bubbly. No idea why, it just makes me grrrrr!
Load More Replies...Not really a word, but for me it's the D*s. DH, DD, DS, DW, etc. Just say who they are.
Instant rage-closing of the article! If I see it in the thumb, I downvote without opening.
Load More Replies...Snowflake. When people use the word they're usually the ones getting upset. Often for being called out for spewing bs.
"Depressed / depression". As in "I'm depressed because my team lost a game".....no you are not. You might be sad, you might be angry but you are *not* depressed. It makes it harder for people ( like me) really struggling with depression.
Its hard for me to explain how belittled this type of use of the word makes me feel.
Load More Replies...Impact. One thing physically striking another produces an impact. One thing compressed into another is impacted. A bullet will impact a tree. A wisdom tooth can become impacted. The word you are looking for is "affect". The divorce affected the children badly. Sales were affected by a product recall. The two words "impact" and "affect" are NOT synonyms!
Something I hear at work occasionally, makes my eye twitch: mandatory requirements.
Unclear: are the mandatory requirements compulsory?
Load More Replies...I hate people say on accident instead of by accident. It drives me nuts
Think of it as the past tense of “skunk.” Ie, “I passed a skank on the side of the road, and boy did it stink”
Load More Replies..."Karen" as an insult. I have friends called Karen who are nothing like the stereotype. It would be good if BP stopped using it as a lazy shorthand.
No one who uses Karen in this way thinks actually being called Karen infers Kareness.
Load More Replies...I have trouble pronouncing "vegetables," so veggies it is for me.
Load More Replies...The word unique cannot be modified. Something is either unique (stands alone; one of a kind) or it is not. I cringe when I hear very unique etc. OBTY - to quote Weird Al: irony is not coincidence.
I've always thought "onomatopoeia" would make more sense if it was used as an exclamation of frustration if someone named Matthew urinated in an inappropriate place. I imagine Italian people saying it. (With massive respect to Italian people who I LOVE. Salve!)
It took me a few seconds, but I got to where you were leading me.
Load More Replies...Idk why people hate on "moist" so much when "damp" is objectively so much worse
Knew a guy, a real grown a*s man who, when he meant "specific," actually said "pacific." Made my skin crawl.
Banana. Or to be more specific, " Banana for scale". Whenever there is a pic or story here on BP that so much as hints about the size of something, some idiot here will come out going " I neEd BanaNa fOr ScAlE! 🤡" or " That Iphone/coin/animal/human/whatever is not a real measurement. OnLy WiTh BanAnaS cAn I recOcNiZe tHe SiZe! 🤡". I downvote all comments like that on principle.
"Journey". Everyone has to be on a journey these days, no matter what it is. Companies always have commercials about "we're on this journey together" and "start your journey now." And then there is "hydrate/hydration." It has become all the rage. You're just drinking water, chill.
Poop. This american BS has infiltrated the UK now, I loathe it. Nobody says good ol' poo anymore.
Jeremy Clarkson is holding out. Or maybe holding it in.
Load More Replies...I hate "proactive". My previous boss used it all the time and I straight up hated her guts.
Exactly, I never say "proactive"; however, to sarcastically joke, if I want to designate something opposite of "proactive", I completely seriously say "contrapassive".
Load More Replies...See you next Tuesday sounds absolutely disgusting coming out of anyones mouth. I can never see them as worth a second of my time when I hear that.
I have literally spoken that word three times in my life, every time justifiable, and I completely agree with you
Load More Replies...I’m sick of managers at work saying “leverage” and “circle back”. I’ll never be leadership material because I could never talk like that and live with myself
"Obsessed"...it's on EVERY online ad. "I'm obsessed with this lipstick!" "Ever since I tried this deodorant I'm obsessed!"
"You know". Some speakers seem to use it over and over as a filler instead of "Uhh" or as a prompt for validation. I want to grab them by the ears and shout "I don't know. If I knew, I wouldn't be talking to you."
'Let's massage this initiative with our teams. " at the closing of a work meeting. ARGHHH!!
The term "lunch time" as a meeting up time makes me irrationally angry. Oh, you wanna meet up around lunch time? Well great, I'll leave my schedule open between 10 and 2 so I don't miss you whenever the hell it is you're deciding to show up! Just choose any number on a clock and set a decisive time ffs!
Why do people have such intense feelings about words? Words are just like names - you only dislike them (usually) because you associate them with a person, situation, or other memory that bothers you. You assume things about ther person using the word you dislike based on preconceived notions. With additional context, you may and may often be right. But let’s keep our minds open and love what words tell us!
IDK why, but the word OSCILLATE just sounds, "dirty" for some reason. Yet MOIST has no affect on me at all.
For me it is when people say they flicked someone the finger, or they flicked the bird, or they flicked someone off. It is flipped. You flipped someone off--you didn't flick them off. I get irrationally angry when I see or hear flicked used. I guess technically both are acceptable. But I grew up hearing it as flipped. Flicked just sounds wrong.
And, a header on this website, "They got gifted." According to a native speaker friend of mine, the word "to gift" doesn't even exist as a verb. When I did some online research, I found out that only God or people such as Bill Gates are in any position "to gift".
Bro or sis set my teeth on edge and I simply cannot take you seriously. Also, baby mama/daddy is so unbelievably disrespectful. Don't stoop to their level.
I hate the word "aggravating". No idea why, I'm okay with aggravate. Also "new normal". I had major surgery in 2018 and afterwards everyone was asking how I was adjusting to my "new normal." I hated it but thought I heard the last of it...until COVID!
I hate the word "chesterfield" for no apparent reason. My parents used to say that instead of "sofa" or "couch" when I was a kid, and it just makes my skin crawl.
As a Brit, I really hate the word "mom". I get that it's short for "mother", which also has an o, but even Americans pronounce it "muth-er" not "moth-er", so logically the short version is "mum". I hate even reading the word, and I'm willing to accept that it is irrational, even though I've just attempted to rationalise it
Ever met someone who says text terms out loud. Like LOL or BRB. "That was so LOL" "I gotta go get something BRB" What the f--k is wrong with people?
I cannot stand the phrase "hunker down". I live in hurricane country so I hear it a lot.
To grab. Why is it so popular? Why do people feel the urge to use it in every other sentence. What a violent word. Because we all have the urge to snatch at things all the time. To grab to grab to grab to grab to grab. Food, of course, but also body parts, clothes, and I recently found out that the truth can be grabbed. Probably while someone else was about to grab a car.
Can't believe that Moist wasn't on the list. Over half the women I know hate the word.
I can't stand the word, "audacity." My dad used it way too much when I was little. Apparently, I had a lot of it.
Surprised this one wasn't on the list - "Merica.... OMG it's AMERICA - I cringe every time I hear it
Pronouncing any (English) word with double Ts removed, as if they are silent. Button is now Bu-En, kitten is Ki-En. Also, adding the "sh" sound to words beginning with "S." Now roads are shtraight, you cross the shtreet, she shcreamed his name. In one generation, English is being mangled beyond repair. And yes, I'm referring to American pronunciation. Bonus: "Straighten" is now "Schtrai-En!"
The glottal stop is not new in UK English "bu'on", "bo'lle"
Load More Replies...People who use the word literally constantly. Got an email from someone yesterday complaining that they are "literally freezing" while at work. You are cold and figuratively freezing. If you were literally freezing you would be dead.
And sentences containing "basically, like, totally" every third word or so. My peeve is "bubbly" as in she/he/they were so bubbly. No idea why, it just makes me grrrrr!
Load More Replies...Not really a word, but for me it's the D*s. DH, DD, DS, DW, etc. Just say who they are.
Instant rage-closing of the article! If I see it in the thumb, I downvote without opening.
Load More Replies...Snowflake. When people use the word they're usually the ones getting upset. Often for being called out for spewing bs.
"Depressed / depression". As in "I'm depressed because my team lost a game".....no you are not. You might be sad, you might be angry but you are *not* depressed. It makes it harder for people ( like me) really struggling with depression.
Its hard for me to explain how belittled this type of use of the word makes me feel.
Load More Replies...Impact. One thing physically striking another produces an impact. One thing compressed into another is impacted. A bullet will impact a tree. A wisdom tooth can become impacted. The word you are looking for is "affect". The divorce affected the children badly. Sales were affected by a product recall. The two words "impact" and "affect" are NOT synonyms!
Something I hear at work occasionally, makes my eye twitch: mandatory requirements.
Unclear: are the mandatory requirements compulsory?
Load More Replies...I hate people say on accident instead of by accident. It drives me nuts
Think of it as the past tense of “skunk.” Ie, “I passed a skank on the side of the road, and boy did it stink”
Load More Replies..."Karen" as an insult. I have friends called Karen who are nothing like the stereotype. It would be good if BP stopped using it as a lazy shorthand.
No one who uses Karen in this way thinks actually being called Karen infers Kareness.
Load More Replies...I have trouble pronouncing "vegetables," so veggies it is for me.
Load More Replies...The word unique cannot be modified. Something is either unique (stands alone; one of a kind) or it is not. I cringe when I hear very unique etc. OBTY - to quote Weird Al: irony is not coincidence.
I've always thought "onomatopoeia" would make more sense if it was used as an exclamation of frustration if someone named Matthew urinated in an inappropriate place. I imagine Italian people saying it. (With massive respect to Italian people who I LOVE. Salve!)
It took me a few seconds, but I got to where you were leading me.
Load More Replies...Idk why people hate on "moist" so much when "damp" is objectively so much worse
Knew a guy, a real grown a*s man who, when he meant "specific," actually said "pacific." Made my skin crawl.
Banana. Or to be more specific, " Banana for scale". Whenever there is a pic or story here on BP that so much as hints about the size of something, some idiot here will come out going " I neEd BanaNa fOr ScAlE! 🤡" or " That Iphone/coin/animal/human/whatever is not a real measurement. OnLy WiTh BanAnaS cAn I recOcNiZe tHe SiZe! 🤡". I downvote all comments like that on principle.
"Journey". Everyone has to be on a journey these days, no matter what it is. Companies always have commercials about "we're on this journey together" and "start your journey now." And then there is "hydrate/hydration." It has become all the rage. You're just drinking water, chill.
Poop. This american BS has infiltrated the UK now, I loathe it. Nobody says good ol' poo anymore.
Jeremy Clarkson is holding out. Or maybe holding it in.
Load More Replies...I hate "proactive". My previous boss used it all the time and I straight up hated her guts.
Exactly, I never say "proactive"; however, to sarcastically joke, if I want to designate something opposite of "proactive", I completely seriously say "contrapassive".
Load More Replies...See you next Tuesday sounds absolutely disgusting coming out of anyones mouth. I can never see them as worth a second of my time when I hear that.
I have literally spoken that word three times in my life, every time justifiable, and I completely agree with you
Load More Replies...I’m sick of managers at work saying “leverage” and “circle back”. I’ll never be leadership material because I could never talk like that and live with myself
"Obsessed"...it's on EVERY online ad. "I'm obsessed with this lipstick!" "Ever since I tried this deodorant I'm obsessed!"
"You know". Some speakers seem to use it over and over as a filler instead of "Uhh" or as a prompt for validation. I want to grab them by the ears and shout "I don't know. If I knew, I wouldn't be talking to you."
'Let's massage this initiative with our teams. " at the closing of a work meeting. ARGHHH!!
The term "lunch time" as a meeting up time makes me irrationally angry. Oh, you wanna meet up around lunch time? Well great, I'll leave my schedule open between 10 and 2 so I don't miss you whenever the hell it is you're deciding to show up! Just choose any number on a clock and set a decisive time ffs!
Why do people have such intense feelings about words? Words are just like names - you only dislike them (usually) because you associate them with a person, situation, or other memory that bothers you. You assume things about ther person using the word you dislike based on preconceived notions. With additional context, you may and may often be right. But let’s keep our minds open and love what words tell us!
IDK why, but the word OSCILLATE just sounds, "dirty" for some reason. Yet MOIST has no affect on me at all.
For me it is when people say they flicked someone the finger, or they flicked the bird, or they flicked someone off. It is flipped. You flipped someone off--you didn't flick them off. I get irrationally angry when I see or hear flicked used. I guess technically both are acceptable. But I grew up hearing it as flipped. Flicked just sounds wrong.
And, a header on this website, "They got gifted." According to a native speaker friend of mine, the word "to gift" doesn't even exist as a verb. When I did some online research, I found out that only God or people such as Bill Gates are in any position "to gift".
Bro or sis set my teeth on edge and I simply cannot take you seriously. Also, baby mama/daddy is so unbelievably disrespectful. Don't stoop to their level.
I hate the word "aggravating". No idea why, I'm okay with aggravate. Also "new normal". I had major surgery in 2018 and afterwards everyone was asking how I was adjusting to my "new normal." I hated it but thought I heard the last of it...until COVID!
I hate the word "chesterfield" for no apparent reason. My parents used to say that instead of "sofa" or "couch" when I was a kid, and it just makes my skin crawl.
As a Brit, I really hate the word "mom". I get that it's short for "mother", which also has an o, but even Americans pronounce it "muth-er" not "moth-er", so logically the short version is "mum". I hate even reading the word, and I'm willing to accept that it is irrational, even though I've just attempted to rationalise it
Ever met someone who says text terms out loud. Like LOL or BRB. "That was so LOL" "I gotta go get something BRB" What the f--k is wrong with people?
I cannot stand the phrase "hunker down". I live in hurricane country so I hear it a lot.
To grab. Why is it so popular? Why do people feel the urge to use it in every other sentence. What a violent word. Because we all have the urge to snatch at things all the time. To grab to grab to grab to grab to grab. Food, of course, but also body parts, clothes, and I recently found out that the truth can be grabbed. Probably while someone else was about to grab a car.
Can't believe that Moist wasn't on the list. Over half the women I know hate the word.
I can't stand the word, "audacity." My dad used it way too much when I was little. Apparently, I had a lot of it.
Surprised this one wasn't on the list - "Merica.... OMG it's AMERICA - I cringe every time I hear it
Pronouncing any (English) word with double Ts removed, as if they are silent. Button is now Bu-En, kitten is Ki-En. Also, adding the "sh" sound to words beginning with "S." Now roads are shtraight, you cross the shtreet, she shcreamed his name. In one generation, English is being mangled beyond repair. And yes, I'm referring to American pronunciation. Bonus: "Straighten" is now "Schtrai-En!"
The glottal stop is not new in UK English "bu'on", "bo'lle"
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