Block on "Awesome" Requested: Refrain Please

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The discussion centers around the overuse of the word "awesome" and a suggestion to block it on forums to preserve its original meaning. Participants express mixed feelings about the word's frequent usage, with some agreeing it has lost its impact, while others argue that using familiar jargon is essential for effective communication, especially with younger audiences. There are humorous exchanges about other commonly misused words and phrases, such as "sick" and "fan," highlighting generational differences in language. The conversation also touches on the evolution of slang and the importance of context in word usage. Overall, the thread reflects a broader commentary on language, meaning, and communication styles in contemporary discourse.
epenguin
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Most forums have automatic blocks for obscene or unnacceptable words.

I don't know if it is recent American usage or what, but if it is not too late could a block be put put on the word 'awesome', so we can keep the word for use, very occasionally, for what it really means, rather than for just anything that is any better than a poke in the eye? And if not, could people voluntarily refrain please?
 
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epenguin said:
so we can keep the word for use, very occasionally, for what it really means, rather than for just anything that is any better than a poke in the eye? And if not, could people voluntarily refrain please?

As a writer, I agree; as a member of PF, I don't. The best feature of this site is universally aiding in scientific (and, in GD, interpersonal) education. I've found, through my personal experience in real life, that you should use the jargon of the person that you're educating to facilitate understanding. Saying that something is 'extremely impressive' to a teenager just doesn't have the same impact as saying that it's 'awesome'.
Besides, it's an awesome word... :rolleyes:
 
Awesome idea!
 
Totally!
 
Totally awesome! :approve:
 
Like, *****in', dude.

edit: Hmmm... that lost a bit in the translation. There seems to be a 'b', an 'i', a 't', a 'c', and an 'h' missing from my post...
 
epenguin said:
Most forums have automatic blocks for obscene or unnacceptable words.

I don't know if it is recent American usage or what, but if it is not too late could a block be put put on the word 'awesome', so we can keep the word for use, very occasionally, for what it really means, rather than for just anything that is any better than a poke in the eye? And if not, could people voluntarily refrain please?

I agree, the word is overused and annoting -- I first started hearing it from my conservative Christian friends, calling God "an awesome God!" At least, they use it correctly in context.

Everyone has little words which they find grating. If you ever correspond with Cyrus, be sure to use the word "like," like, every other word. He like loves that word; he thinks it's, like, awesome.
 
The worst part is when you refer to something truly "awesome" and it happens to be something bad, you get weird looks or insulted for it.
 
Truly awesome.
 
  • #10
lisab said:
Everyone has little words which they find grating. If you ever correspond with Cyrus, be sure to use the word "like," like, every other word. He like loves that word; he thinks it's, like, awesome.

I'm like sooo taking Cyrus to the Valley next time he comes to SoCal. OMG, would be so tubular! Like, perpendicular!
 
  • #12
Yikes, it is the attack of the valley people!

epenguin, don't let them bother you. It has been smoggy in the valley lately and them valley critters get mean on smoggy days. :biggrin:
 
  • #13
russ_watters said:
Sweet.

russ took mine.
 
  • #14
Hm...I was looking up the word awesome and I typed in "awsome"...:smile: :rolleyes:
 
  • #15
Its nice to feel the love and support from PF members :smile:
 
  • #16
I am underawed by your reactions. :smile:
 
  • #17
:smile:
 
  • #18
I also think that awesome sounds awful and has nothing to do with awesomeness! But I think if we start blocking words that members don't like, ...:eek:

PS have you decreased the time limit for editting posts?
 
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  • #19
epenguin said:
I am underawed by your reactions. :smile:

Nonono, that's reserved for underwhelmed, the antonyms of awesome are: joynone or blissany.
 
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  • #20
Lisa! said:
PS have you decreased the time limit for editting posts?
Yes, editing time limit is now 30 minutes.
 
  • #21
Sweetness :biggrin:
 
  • #22
lisab said:
I first started hearing it from my conservative Christian friends, calling God "an awesome God!"

Isn't that supposed to be 'omnipotent', which trumps 'awesome'? No wonder Christianity is doomed to failure: they can't keep their stories straight. :rolleyes:
 
  • #23
Awesome is like a cool word like almost bodacious, awesome thread.
 
  • #24
wolram said:
Awesome is like a cool word like almost bodacious

Reminds me of one of my favourite movies: "Bodacious Ta-Ta's". :biggrin:
 
  • #25
Thanks! Before this thread I never knew the formal definition of 'awesome.' Searching my posts, I have used it incorrectly on PF almost 100 times :redface:
 
  • #26
I've also noticed throughout the years that a lot of people commonly misuse the word 'fan'. Fan is shorthand for 'fanatic', and is a fairly strong word. More often than not if someone says; "Yeah, I'm a fan of theirs.", most likely, they are not truly a fan.
 
  • #27
B. Elliott said:
I've also noticed throughout the years that a lot of people commonly misuse the word 'fan'. Fan is shorthand for 'fanatic', and is a fairly strong word. More often than not if someone says; "Yeah, I'm a fan of theirs.", most likely, they are not truly a fan.

I sort of kinda like fandango.
 
  • #28
Like, Totally awesome!
 
  • #29
B. Elliott said:
Fan is shorthand for 'fanatic'

Actually, it's an Angicized abbreviation for afficianado*, which means essentially the same thing as the English word 'fan'.

*I know how to pronounce it, but I'm not sure about the spelling.
 
  • #30
Danger said:
Actually, it's an Angicized abbreviation for afficianado*, which means essentially the same thing as the English word 'fan'.

*I know how to pronounce it, but I'm not sure about the spelling.

(L), no one understands English, but some know how to spell it, (not me).
 
  • #31
Danger said:
Actually, it's an Angicized abbreviation for afficianado*, which means essentially the same thing as the English word 'fan'.

*I know how to pronounce it, but I'm not sure about the spelling.

Still within the same lines as what I was trying to get across... implying that they're a connoisseur, an enthusiast. Most people who use the word don't understand it's intensity.
 
  • #32
epenguin said:
Most forums have automatic blocks for obscene or unnacceptable words.

I don't know if it is recent American usage or what, but if it is not too late could a block be put put on the word 'awesome', so we can keep the word for use, very occasionally, for what it really means, rather than for just anything that is any better than a poke in the eye? And if not, could people voluntarily refrain please?

Oh! As in Oh-some, dude! That's a great idea!
 
  • #33
I haven't seen anyone misuse the word awesome, it is perhaps used too often though.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Awesome
b: terrific, extraordinary <had an awesome time>
 
  • #34
I see where you're coming from, B. Still, there's a difference between true appreciation and fanaticism. I'm a serious fan of Marvel comics, but you won't find me trying to lock Stan Lee in my basement. :rolleyes:
 
  • #35
Awesome is my definition of some one that comes up with the goods on time.
 
  • #36
wolram said:
Awesome is my definition of some one that comes up with the goods on time.

Haven't you already been warned about discussing your sex life in public?
 
  • #37
B. Elliott said:
Still within the same lines as what I was trying to get across... implying that they're a connoisseur, an enthusiast. Most people who use the word don't understand it's intensity.

Have you ever met sports fans? Or fans of a band or musician? I think the intensity is fully there. They sure seem nuts to me.
 
  • #38
Danger said:
Haven't you already been warned about discussing your sex life in public?
, Cry, cry, you beast, you do have a talent for fact finding.
 
  • #40
  • #41
BobG said:
Excellent or Awesome

You be the judge.

Dope! :biggrin:


The one that drives me crazy that I hear the kids using sometimes is "sick". Never could figure that one as an expression of something good.
 
  • #42
So where did, " b i t c h i n" come from? :confused: seriously.
 
  • #43
Math Is Hard said:
Dope! :biggrin:


The one that drives me crazy that I hear the kids using sometimes is "sick". Never could figure that one as an expression of something good.

I figure it's no different than our generation calling something good "bad."
 
  • #44
edward said:
So where did, " b i t c h i n" come from? :confused: seriously.

I know it's been used by surfers for a really long time. Merriam-Webster online dictionary dates it back to 1957. M-W says it likely came from "son-of-a-b****in'".

A lot of people think Valley girls invented it, but I think they just picked it up along with other surf lingo when visiting the beach. Moon Unit Zappa certainly popularized it!
 
  • #45
"Wicked Cool," is one I never really got. Isn't wicked normally bad?
 
  • #46
Danger said:
I see where you're coming from, B. Still, there's a difference between true appreciation and fanaticism. I'm a serious fan of Marvel comics, but you won't find me trying to lock Stan Lee in my basement. :rolleyes:

:smile: Black costume forever! (and not the wussy 'That 70's Show' guy version.)
 
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  • #47
Radical.
 
  • #48
A while back a friend of mine was in class and they were discussing the various words that are used to describe god. When the professor came to "Omnibenevolent: All good" the guy behind my friend chuckled and said "Dooode.. It's omnibenevolent."
 
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