Sunday, February 26, 2017

Cringe-worthy Words/Phrases

school sign for early release


"Early Release!" Those are two words that makes me cringe. When prisoners are paroled, they use the term "early release!" The bad effects of early release usually makes the news, such as when a recent parolee commits a crime and opponents comes out in droves.

The sign above isn't about early release from prisons but about schools. Why do we use the same phrase to describe schools sending children home earlier to their parents. 

Another word that drives me nutty is that combination word from horrible and terrific. I can't even write it because I don't want to propagate its use. When something is just plain horrible, let's use horrible. Or, if you want to change it up a bit, then use terrible. If it scared you then scary or terrify is good enough. 

What phrases/words makes you cringe? And why?
Here's a poem that is included in the Bards of Broward: The Courtyard Chronicles


Lizards lounging on a ledge,
Or window-sill but safely inside
their spaceship while outside,
a planet on the verge.

I looked closer and saw them
Lizards lounging about some interior
And outside the Earth was about to explode
Only the lizards are safe, only the lizards escaped.

With their gilded, glossy skin
And dewlaps extended to warn
Of humans overrunning on Earth:
Animal and plant species on the brink of extinction
Foreign species introduction and proliferation
Human nations on the verge of annihilation.

Lizards lounging and looking out the portal:
A last look at what was once home.

Copyright 2016 Suzzette Dawes





Bards of Broward: The Courtyard Chronicles is available from Amazon.com

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