Look what literally landed: more pointless words that we use

Readers on the unnecessary words they dislike.

Published 26 June 2026 276 words
SCIENCE B1
Look what literally landed: more pointless words that we use

People are writing about words that are used too much or are not really needed. One person remembered studying the word 'so' in Shakespeare's play The Tempest. It was used 52 times, which was less often than in his other plays. The writer thought it was used more when a character was doing magic.

Another writer mentioned the word 'stunning', which estate agents often use for properties that are not special. Businesses also use 'reach out' instead of 'contact'. The phrase 'going forward' is also seen as unnecessary, instead of 'in the future'.

Some people disagree about certain phrases. For example, saying 'I was sat' is common in parts of northern England and similar phrases are used in French and Spanish. Another person mentioned a new term they dislike: 'landed' for something that has arrived.

Other words that were mentioned include 'look' and 'amazing'. 'Journey' is also used for things that are not a trip. The word 'we' is sometimes used in greetings like 'How are we today?' when only one person is present. The word 'literally' was also mentioned as being used too much and often not changing the meaning of a sentence.

Finally, the phrase 'my bad' is disliked by some. It is used to mean 'I'm sorry' or 'I made a mistake'. The writer thinks it is a bad change to the English language.

Vocabulary

superfluous — more than is needed, or unnecessary.
thesis — a long essay on a particular subject, usually done to get a degree.
appropriated — used something in a way that is not right or honest.
groupthink — when a group of people think in the same way and do not consider other ideas.
parlance — a way of speaking or writing that is used by a particular group of people.
Antipodeans — people from Australia or New Zealand.
barista — a person who makes and serves coffee in a coffee shop.
euphemism — a polite or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Discussion Questions

  1. Which words or phrases do you think are used too often?
  2. Can you think of a time you heard a word used in a way that seemed unnecessary?
  3. Why do you think people start using unnecessary words or phrases?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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