If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?
There are many words that should be banned. The racial slurs, or really, any word that disparages a person for something out of their control. And not just out of their control, but something that is simply a part of who they are.
There are also a few words that just make me cringe. One particular word that has a sexual meaning behind it is just icky to me. Not what the word represents, but just the word itself. And that’s enough about that word that starts with an “o”.
I think the word that really needs to either disappear or be used in a different way is the word “calm”. I’m good with using it to describe my emotions or the weather. But when it’s used at the beginning of a command, as in “calm down”, even the most innocent of intentions in using it creates more rage in me. Has anyone ever actually calmed down because someone told them to? I know I haven’t.
My husband tells me that sometimes. I know he means well, but it always has the opposite effect on me. As someone with an anxiety disorder, after many years having bipolar type 2 disorder, my emotions can be all over the place when I am dealing with something. When that happens, I often can’t just calm down. I’m working on it in therapy. There will come a day when I can self-regulate my emotions when I am triggered, but I’m not 100% there yet. I’m still learning.
Perhaps that’s why I get so frustrated when I’m told to calm down. Sometimes I just can’t do it! Or, I can, but I need more time to do it.
Like I said, I think people mean well when they say it. So it shouldn’t necessarily be banned, but can someone do a TedTalk on the do’s and don’ts of using the word and somehow make it mandatory for everyone to watch it? Maybe make it a part of marriage prep that some churches make couples do. With that said, how do I sign up to do a TedTalk? I volunteer as tribute!
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