Can we ban the word "iconic" from our writing for a while?

[CTyankee]

and "legendary" while we are at it?

I'd like some fresher alternatives.

Thank you for your understanding.

[jberryhill]

1. Coming this summer the iconic legend of a legendary icon...

In a world of icons and legends...

[Aristus]

2. I'm guilty of possible overuse of 'iconic'.

It does seem like an excellent descriptive term to use in the era of 'big, just really big, yuge, bigly, the biggest and just the best ever.'

It's a superlative for literate people...

[CTyankee]

5. Just my two centavos but perhaps it is a revolt against "legendary"?

I'm deeply into writing my second book and finding a lot of superlatives getting on my nerves. Some are just worn out and need a rest for a couple of decades and then can be brought back.

[Paladin]

3. I'm sick to death with "granular" as well.

Let's go back to "detailed."

[CTyankee]

4. "introspectively" might get worked in there, but I like "detailed."

"Granular" is just getting icky.

[skypilot]

12. Ugh. That one has taken hold at my job...

...along with "deep dive". Double ugh!!

[KatyMan]

6. Curated

Can take a hike as well. Hand picked too.

[CTyankee]

7. "curated" for me has a specific definition. I reserve it for museums and art shows that are

"curated" by someone.

Is there another use I haven't heard of?

[KatyMan]

8. It seems to be big in advertising,

Curated fashion collections (like from Macys or Fabletics, not fashion shows), Sirius XM channels with playlists that are curated. It seems to get everywhere to me, but maybe I just notice it more. I agree with you that it has a specific definition relating to museums and the arts.

[CTyankee]

9. Come to think of it, I think the word can be used sarcastically to describe an effort by a

RW political organization trying to effect "ratfuckery" on the polity.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. "Curated," when used by just about anybody but museums,

is kind of like "artisanal." It's an affectation. Curators of museums and galleries are the people who evaluate and select the items they consider worthy of collecting and exhibiting, so others who use the word are trying to suggest that their stuff has been carefully reviewed and chosen for its quality. Same with "artisanal" - whatever it is (usually but not necessarily food or clothing) was made by artisans, which is a hoity-toity word for craftsmen, and is therefore of uniquely high quality. So we see artisanal, specially curated bread, socks, and maybe plumbing fixtures.

[CTyankee]

17. I think it is too bad. It's a good word and a good concept. But now overdone.

Perhaps "hand crafted" would be better for the time being...

[Fla Dem]

10. Did I miss something?

Just did a site search for both iconic and legendary, just to see what you were referencing. I thought maybe I'd missed a series of posts using those words .

But the last time "iconic " was used was in January and "legendary" hasn't been in a post since November.
Or maybe you mean "in general" not specifically DU.

So what am I missing? Inquiring minds want to know.

[CTyankee]

15. I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. I wasn't just talking about DU, but in general

especially on the media, I hear these terms over and over again. Just my point of view...

[Fla Dem]

19. OK,Totally agree about over used words and phrases. The one that "drives me up a wall"....

We'll have to leave it there. A over used closing comment when an interviewer is wrapping up an interview.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. "Iconic" is another one of those words that has caught on

and is overused. Its use should be limited to those things that are particularly or even uniquely representative or symbolic of a specific occurrence or period of time. There are not many of these. "Legendary" works only if there are actual legends about the allegedly legendary person or thing. Since we have accurate contemporaneous reporting about most things we don't need legends. King Arthur is legendary. Queen Elizabeth isn't.

[skypilot]

13. Just like "supermodel".

That term originally was used to describe a handful of models in the early 90s: Linda Evangelista, Christie Turlington, Naomi Campbell and a few others. Now every model is a supermodel.

[CTyankee]

16. "super" everything, as I see it.

[Totally Tunsie]

18. Can we also add "nothingburger"? What a useless, overused, silly word!

In my eyes, it instantly lowers my admiration of the user.

It can take "uber" everything (not the ride-share) along with it, as far as I'm concerned.

[CTyankee]

20. how about "supremely overrated"?

here are some nice words that we could start using: " wondrous, abiding, dark, striking, blessing, modest charms, hasten the day, authentic, righteous, marvel."

[Totally Tunsie]

21. While I realize our lexicon needs to advance due to time and

circumstances, it's one more thing that has suffered over the last several years. Too many nonsensical words are being used by too many otherwise educated people, and it makes them sound childish and ridiculous. It annoys me, "bigly"!

[SCantiGOP]

22. and "he/she is a national treasure"

Half the damn people in the country cannot be a treasure.
Unless they are iconic.

[CTyankee]

23. or could be "peerless" or "wondrous" or even "marvelously."

So many words and phrases I would welcome back to our national parlance. How blest we would be, how critically needed.

[SCantiGOP]

24. Hey, CTYankee

Wouldn’t it be ironic if you ended up being iconic?

[CTyankee]

26. how about "yada, yada"?

[Lulu KC]

25. May I throw in "phenomenal?"

Over-used and over the top. Thank you for listening.

[CTyankee]

27. "That's a mercy" is one I am reviving from my family's Texas lexicon.

Usually, it's when someone has not suffered too much but died before they can suffer too much.

[Lulu KC]

28. Very handy one n/t