Disclaimer: this post discusses one of my pet peeves. If you are not interested in feeling peevish today, read no further.
I am sometimes concerned about the changes I hear in our language.
It may be yet another example of “herd mentality,” where people jump on a bandwagon that is full to overflowing, and they do what everyone else is doing – possibly without thinking it through.
First of all, it seems common to hear people to raise their voice at the end of a statement, as if it were a question. This leaves me wondering if they are sure of what they are stating. “Today is Thursday(?)” “We would like for you to come (?)” Some might say this draws the listener into the conversation. I beg to differ.
Then there are unusual pronunciations that are taking over:
- “ohright” for “all right” :“Everything looks ohright to me.”
- “impor-un” for “important” : “It is impor-un for you to understand.”
- “sh” sounds for what should be “s” : “The shtress is shtrong on the shtreet.”
Finally, there’s the overuse (and inaccurate use) of words like literally, curated, and athleticism. “I could literally write a book with all the curated examples I have gathered of athleticism in athletes who are athletic.”
These grate like nails on a chalkboard. I should be more understanding, I know. But I also think people should want to be correct. The sad thing is, in today’s world, we do not attempt to correct these practices, which makes them more common.
Or perhaps it isn’t that imporun. I am sure I am being too shtrict (?) No doubt it will all be ohright (?)
fireflytrails 
I am always peevish about language. My mist recent pet peeve is the addition of the word “of” where it ought not be. We used to say “It was too big a problem”. Now I keep hearing “It was too big of a problem”. Petty? Maybe, but it grates on my nerves.
Yikes. I am guilty – but you are so right. Thanks!
This one had me smiling and then laughing out loud at the way you bring it all together in the end! I also liked the way you started with a Lemony-Snicket-ish disclaimer at the start. Uh-oh, I hope “ish” doean’t make your list (?)!
I love your last line!
Ha ha!! My biggest pet peeve in usage occurs almost exclusively in the tristate region where I live. People here often use the word “seen” rather than “saw.” For instance, a student might say to me, “I seen you at the gas station this morning!” (I shudder.)