It happens to all of us. We hear a phrase or buzzword that just, shall we say, grinds our gears.
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Words fall in and out of fashion, but some are decidedly less groovy - and much more overused - than others.
In Britain, the Polifiller website has published what it considers to be the worst political jargon of the year.
Among the list of phrases our British counterparts find irritating are:
- That's a great question, [first name].
- We'll have more to say about that.
- Ordinary citizens.
- Let me be clear. Let me be crystal clear. Let me make this absolutely clear, Let me be absolutely open and honest.
- I make no apologies for.
- Hard-working families.
- Shoulder to shoulder.
- Unprecedented times.
- I was talking to someone in my constituency/electorate this week.
- Ramp up, double down, flatten the curve, drive down, level up.
- We're all in this together.
- Now is not the time. I'm not going to give a running commentary.
But what words do our local politicians and civic leaders consider worthy of consigning to the verbal garbage bin?
Wagga mayor Greg Conkey, a former journalist, isn't keen on the phrase "moving forward".
Councillor Conkey feels likewise about the words "to be honest".
"That one makes me think 'well, were they not being honest before?'," the mayor said.
Junee mayor Neil Smith, who is also a bush poet, says he has exactly the same reaction to that phrase.
He also shudders at the overuse of the word "absolutely".
Wagga councillor Paul Funnell shares Cr Conkey's desire to see the world to move away from the phrase "moving forward".
The Nationals' Wagga-based MLC Wes Fang had a slightly different take, nominating the word "coalition" as one of his least favourite.
Wagga councillor Dan Hayes wants a little more verbal decisiveness and the phrase "not ruling anything in or out" to be banished.
Cr Hayes' colleague Tim Koschel would like to see the hyperbole dialled back and words like "fair go" used a lot less.
Member for Wagga Joe McGirr says there are phrases that make him worry.
"Whenever anyone from the government says they will hold 'meaningful consultation' I am immediately suspicious," Dr McGirr said.
Former Wagga deputy mayor Mary Kidson says "at the end of the day" leaves her wondering which day and why does it have to wait until its end.
When she hears someone say "regions matter", Councillor Vanessa Keenan immediately dismisses it as lip service, while Councillor Yvonne Braid reckons the phrase "I make no apology" means that an apology will shortly be coming.
Councillor Road Kendall says he can "neither confirm nor deny" what phrase annoys him the most.
Incidentally, when asked what phrase annoys him the most, The Daily Advertiser's editor, Ross Tyson, replied with "no comment".
