Observations from
my weekly wanderings, usually in Northern Virginia (NOVA).
After the
misleading subject line, you are likely to be disappointed with this post – but
if you hang around the internet at all, you should be used to it by now.
I typically avoid
complaining online, because it is a pet peeve of mine: posts, tweets, comments,
quips etc., where the author rants about some topic they are passionate about
in attempt to persuade the world with their infallible logic, poignant
anecdotes, and pithy quotations (remember they are quotations not quotes).
And when they are
done, it changes exactly NOTHING.
I could rant more
about my aversion to that practice, but it would change nothing, so I’ll leave
it at that. It really isn’t my point. Just saying, I don’t usually do this.
But I’m fed up with
a little something, and I’m gonna vent. It won’t change anything, but I’ll feel
better.
I am really sick of
the phrase “jaw-dropping”. You know, those insidious ads on the border of just
about any website, that are designed to tempt you to follow the link, and
subject yourself to yet more advertising.
That’s all fair, I
don’t blame em a bit. I don’t especially like it, but it’s free enterprise and
free speech, which is WAAAY better than the alternative.
I just object to
the 7th grade-level language (feeling generous). Now, I get it. It’s
the internet; it isn’t The Economist. But would it kill em to add a little
variety to the superlatives?
You’d never know there
are so many good adjectives out there: stunning, intriguing, captivating,
striking, evanescent, or plain ole beautiful.
But no….See the
jaw-dropping cast of 70s sitcom today; 80s star Jane Doe is even more
jaw-droppingly beautiful than ever, Wow, child star from My Wacky life will
drop your jaw, and the writing turns my stomach.
If you haven’t
noticed this – you’re gonna now. You can thank me later. Actually, since most
who read this blog have an affinity for a finely crafted sentence, I’ll
apologize later.
But – I do feel
better.
I hear you. It is also a good indication to skip the link altogether.
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