FOR READERS
Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Denise Dechene:
Is there a word/words that make you cringe when you read it/them?
Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks!
I may be odd but I’m really not a fan of ‘lover’ Not sure why but it just bugs me.
But the worst for me is a phrase, not a word. “Right then and there’ As in “he was so turned on he felt like he could come right then and there” One book had it in it ten times, TEN!! I kid you not, I counted! Every time I see it I cringe, it’s like nails on a chalkboard for me.
Mine is “smirk.” Seems to be used so often instead of “smile” but I just know the writer hasn’t looked up the actual meaning! Grr!!
Sadly a lot of the more evocative words, (like moist) get hate. Personally, I don’t have a word that drives me crazy, but misused idioms or words make me want to throw a book across the room. I once read a book where the word proprietary was used in the place of propriety. VERY different meanings! No one’s perfect so I hope if anyone ever catches such an error from me, they’ll let me know so I can fix it.
For me it’s “intoxicating”
I hate, HATE the verb “toed”. Ugh! It sound gross and I feel there are other ways to describe pushing a show off with your foot. It’s an easy way to say it, granted, but I feel like a few years ago I never even heard this word and now I can barely get through an m/m novel without encountering it.
Kills the mood for me dead! Bleh!