Libel

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Libel!

Libel is generally found in print and is basically a proven lie or falsehood about someone, with the intent of ruining their reputation or character.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Libel

li·bel noun \ˈlī-bəl\
: the act of publishing a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone
1   a :  a written statement in which a plaintiff in certain courts sets forth the cause of action or  the relief sought

b archaic :  a handbill especially attacking or defaming someone

2

a :  a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression

b (1) :  a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt (2):  defamation of a person by written or representational means (3) :  the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures (4) :  the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel

I guess what gets me so much with this word is that it sounds too much like Liable. To me and to a certain degree, they imply the same thing and seem a redundant use of the English language.  Yes, I know they are different words and I know that they mean slightly different things, but why not create a different word that sounds nothing alike?  

He was accused of libel for printing lies about the girl.  He was liable for printing lies about the girl.  Honestly, what's the difference at the end of the day?  :<

Reference

Libel. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/libel

Heinous

After a busy weekend, I am back with my new Word I Hate To Say - Heinous!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Heinous
hei·nous adjective \ˈhā-nəs\

: very bad or evil : deserving of hate or contempt

:  hatefully or shockingly evil :  abominable
— hei·nous·ly (adverb)
— hei·nous·ness (noun)

Today's word Heinous was made disturbingly popular by the police/homicide TV drama Law & Order: SVU, this word simply grates on me!  Why?  I am not sure, however, every time I hear the SVU monologue as my wife tunes in to watch, I suddenly want to find an old school blackboard to run my fingernails down!

Here is the introduction monologue for SVU -  "In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories."

I ask the question - why?  Why is it so difficult to simply say that a "crime was very bad" or "was especially gruesome?"  It is my opinion that speaking a word such as heinous is especially abominable!  Seriously, if you read the dictionary's suggested words that rhyme, you get a list that looks like this... anus, feyness, gayness, grayness, Janus, manus.  This is not exactly the cream of the crop of words to rhyme with!

Reference
Heinous. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved December 3, 2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heinous

Larissa and Friends' Bookish Life. (image) (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2013, from http://www.larissaslife.com/2010_05_01_archive.html