More Banal Words and Phrases

Here are some additions to my list of banalities that appear in articles, columns, and opinion pieces.  These banalities are words or phrases that--if read in an article or column--cause me to stop, because their use causes the loss of all credibility for the writer.  They tend to be trite or overused or poorly defined, and are used when a writer is too lazy to actually present an argument. (Or, possibly because the writer knows that he or she has no argument.)

I posted a short list about a year ago.  For example, using the phrase "politically correct".  It has no well-defined meaning and is used as if it trumps all other arguments.  Any writer using it is not worthy of your time.

Well, here are a few additions:

• "Class Warfare"--is there a more tiresome phrase in current use among the right wingers?
• Using "Social Security" and "Medicare" in the same sentence.  These programs are hardly related and the problems they face (as well as the solutions) are far different from one another.  Lumping them together implies either deliberate misrepresentation or serious misunderstanding.  In either case, the reader shouldn't waste any more time.
• "Job Creators"--no elaboration needed.