Peasy

Ok...

So I sincerely apologize for my long break from posting the words I hate.  My life has become exceptionally busy as of late with my teaching at the college, my kids having 13th birthdays, my family life, and various other things that generally consume one's time and days.

So, with all that... I am back with my next Word I Hate To Say - Peasy, Peezy, or Peasey!

Macmillan Dictionary - Peasy
ADJECTIVE 
BRITISH - INFORMAL 
British English pronunciation: easy-peasy /ˌiːzi ˈpiːzi/ 
- extremely easy.
This word is used mainly by children or when speaking to children.

First, I wish to state for the record, that this is not even a legitimate word.  Unless you consider the Urban Dictionary credible, there is no such word as Peasy in the English language.  Because of this, I get tired of hearing it, tired of hearing kids say it, and get utterly irritated that kids are being taught this word in elementary school.  No wonder our educational systems are a disgrace... we teach kids fiction and nonsense like Evolution, safe-sex, and imaginary words!

Secondly, as if I need to provide more reason to gripe...  Adults wander around saying easy-peasy lemon squeezy as if that is an common everyday phrase.  IT IS NOT unless you are addressing a preschooler (then refer to point number one above) and isn't much easier just to say that something is easy or simple?

Grow up people!  Teach our young well and the world will be a better place!  Ugh!

Onomatopoeia

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Onomatopoeia!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Onomatopoeia
on·o·mato·poe·ia noun \ˌä-nə-ˌmä-tə-ˈpē-ə, -ˌma-\
: the creation of words that imitate natural sounds

Full Definition of ONOMATOPOEIA
1:  the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (as buzz, hiss)
2:  the use of words whose sound suggests the sense
— on·o·mato·poe·ic  or on·o·mato·po·et·ic  adjective
— on·o·mato·poe·i·cal·ly  or on·o·mato·po·et·i·cal·ly adverb

Examples of ONOMATOPOEIA
Buzz and hiss are examples of onomatopoeia.
The term hiccup is an example of onomatopoeia … —Fred Cicetti, Montague Reporter, 6 Mar. 2008

Origin of ONOMATOPOEIA
Late Latin, from Greek onomatopoiia, from onomat-, onoma name + poiein to make — more at poet

First Known Use: circa 1577

So today's Word I Hate To Say is that obnoxious word from late elementary school to early junior high... Onomatopoeia.  I remember thinking it was so fun to say and then all my classmates and I would walk around saying it.  In fact, I think this is where hip-hop and early rap began - a bunch of junior high students trying to find words that rhyme with Onomatopoeia!

As for why I can't stand the word is that is just has too many syllables - 6 if I counted correctly. It is a mouth-full of vowels and contestants jumbled together... it is like someone sneezed and that is what came out.  The word seems as cheesy as the old Batman and Robin shows of old during a fight scene...  "Pow" "Zap" "Kabaam!"

At the end of the day...  Onomatopoeia is just what it sounds like I guess!

Reference
Onomatopoeia. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia. (image) (December 03, 2010). Teacher Albert. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/albert/level-a/onomatopoeia/

Parabola

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Parabola!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Parabola
pa·rab·o·la noun \pə-ˈra-bə-lə\
: a curve that is shaped like the path of something that is thrown forward and high in the air and falls back to the ground

1:  a plane curve generated by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line :  the intersection of a right circular cone with a plane parallel to an element of the cone
2:  something bowl-shaped (as an antenna or microphone reflector)

Illustration of PARABOLA


Origin of PARABOLA
New Latin, from Greek parabolē, literally, comparison
First Known Use: 1579

Welcome back from that long definition!

So today I choose the word Parabola - pronounced Pa-Rab-Ola, not how it is written... Para-Bola!  The reason I chose this word today is because my wife has been working on her college math and has been dealing with parabolas.

This word is irritating to me because of my junior high days.  How many kids have fallen victim to this word at the most awkward time in life, in the most unforgiving place on earth... Middle School?  Either we were asked to read a definition or explain the math process of a parabola or we didn't pay attention when the teacher said the word correctly and then we sounded ignorant, in front of the whole class, by asking what a Para-Bola was!  It is just a cruel word, with nothing but cruel intentions for the unsuspecting pre-teen.

Not that I have ever experienced this issue or anything... Yeah, right!  :)

Reference
Parabola. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved January 3, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parabola