Utilise

Why do the authors of press releases and scientific papers so rarely employ the simple word "use" but insist on "utilise"?

Is it because they think utilise sounds more impressive?

And what does "state of the art" mean? Doesn't it usually just imply "modern"?

It has to be said

This phrase litters one BBC weather forecaster's presentations. Why? If it has to be said, just say it!

Added bonus

Surely a bonus is, by implication, added?

In the future - again!

We have just been informed, on BBC TV News, that government spending "is set to decline in the future." When? In the past perhaps?

In the future

If someone has used the word "will" or "shall", is it really necessary to add "in the future" in the same sentence? I suggest hardly ever.

Apsolutely (sic) - a disease?

During this evening's Antiques Roadshow on BBC television the word "apsolutely" (sic) was uttered 27 times.

I realise that in some people's eyes such counting merely confirms my anorak status. But can no-one account for the apparent stranglehold that this throw-away word, so often linked thoughtlessly linked to "fantastic", has on our nation?

Absolutely everyone is at it.

More hours

We've had another daft helping from a BBC weather forecaster today, namely: ".....afternoon hours."

I despair!

...through its paces

Can someone please explain why machinery nearly always has to be "put through its paces" rather than simply "tested" or "tried"?

Is are!

Recently on BBC radio we have been treated to:

"There is (sic) two answers to that question" and "There are (sic) a range of measures"!

UGH!

Absolutely................meaningless

Tonight, on BBC TV, when responding to a question about how things were down among the dogs at Crufts, one of the presenters replied simply: "It's absolutely!" Just that.

The commentary was littered with the unthinking "absolutely" (invariably pronounced apsolutely) & "absolutely fantastic" to the point where I could take no more and turned the sound off.

What is it that makes this word 'absolutely' so apparently addictive?

Up until

What's wrong with just "until"?

If what?

I often hear radio announcements telling me: "If you are heading............." an accident/hold up has occurred, and "If you’d like to go along.............. " some event will be taking place.

It's nonsense. Do the presenters of these messages really mean that if I don't head (travel) in that direction the accident/hold up will miraculously disappear, and that if I choose not to go along the event won't take place? I don't think so.

Forward planning

Amazing! How else? Backward?

Or what?

Can anyone explain why the phrase "or alternatively" is apparently so irresistible?

West Scotland

This morning, on the BBC weather forecast, we were informed that rain would be moving into the western side of Scotland. What's wrong with 'west Scotland'?