After one month of tracking misused words (for a class I’m developing), here are the six biggest troublemakers and how to use them correctly.
Simplistic
Doesn’t mean easy or simple. It means oversimplifying by leaving out important factors. Use "simple" instead.
Podium
A riser. You have to step up on it. Comes from the Greek for ‘feet,’ as does podiatrist. The tall piece of furniture you stand behind to deliver a speech is a lectern.
Disinterested
Fair or impartial. Does not mean "used to be interested but not any more." That word is uninterested.
Passionate/Passion
A buzz word, a fad that will soon pass. It means, "based only on emotions, without reason," as in the sentence, "He killed his wife with a knife. It was a crime of passion." Once ‘passionate’ is worn out, a new, escalating word will have to replace it. Wachovia bank already claims to be "obsessed" with their clients. Really? Scary.
Actionable
Not an action item on a list. Much worse. Something that will get you sued. "Punching my boss in the mouth is not only actionable, it got me fired."
One off
Short for "one of a kind," not "turn this one off," or even "off the last ‘f’ in this word." So it’s "one of."
About the Author: Quinn McDonald is a writer, certified creativity coach and trainer in business communications. See more of her work at Quinncreative.wordpress.com