"Words that are horrible to one writer may not be horrible to another," says John Grimond in The Economist Style Guide (Profile Books, 2005). "But if you are a writer for whom no words are horrible, you would do well to take up some other activity."

You know the kinds of words he means. Not "bad" or insensitive or politically incorrect words, but those that are thoughtlessly used, abused, and overused. Words that may sound fresh at breakfast but by supper time have gone stale.

Included on my list of horrible words are absolutely (as a synonym for yes) and transparent (in its trendy managerial sense). Also the verb reinvent, the interjection whatever, and the noun parameter (when used by anyone except a mathematician).

As Grimond says, "No words or phrases should be banned outright from appearing in print," but we should recognize that some words are likely to annoy at least some of our readers some of the time. Though intended for a British audience, Grimond's list may include a horrible word or two of your own:

• carer (and most caring expressions)
• chattering classes
• facilitate
• famously
• governance
• grow the business
• guesstimate
• informed (as in his love of language informed his memos)
• likely (meaning probably, rather than probable)
• looking to (intending to)
• materiel
• ongoing
• poster child
• prestigious
• proactive
• rack up (profits, etc.)
• savvy
• segue
• source (meaning obtain)
• stakeholder

By clicking on the comments button below, tell us which horrible words appear on your list.

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