Overuse of the word 'issue' in the media
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No, I’m not talking about any particular issue with the media! My moan is about the overuse of the word "issue" in the media, in politics and by corporate high fliers. Everything these days, instead of being a problem, or a difficulty or even a discussion, is now an ISSUE! |
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Media issues, they keep using that "I" word! I assume that this has crossed the Atlantic at some stage, just like "I hear what you're saying" or "Say again". These phrases seem to have gone out of fashion and I for one, wish people would think about what they are saying, rather than blindly going with the flow and spouting out nonsense phrases. Is it just me that perceives this, or has anyone noticed the overuse of the word "ISSUE" in the media? |
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I would like to bet that any interviews recorded more than a couple of years ago would be less likely to contain “issues”. These days however “issues” are all over the place and you can pretty much guarantee the word will be used several times in a single interview broadcast. I sent a text to Five Live the other day to congratulate John Hutton, the Minister for Work and Pensions, who somehow managed to do a 10-minute interview, without using the word once! Funnily enough my comments were not read out on the air. Presumably this was because the presenter had “issues” and used the word regularly himself! |
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Comments from visitors
Excellent. I also hate 'ahead of' (for 'before', 'in view of', 'ready for', etc) and 'see' as in: 'The Olympic Games will see massive congestion in London's streets ...') 'Further' for 'more' has been going on for years, and most newsreaders mis-pronunciate the word 'controversy' (another overused one), which should have the stress on the first syllable (con) and not the second (tro).
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They probably didn't read out your text because it would read really weird.
Imagine someone reading it,
'Thank you for not saying issue once in 10 minutes! Brilliant!'
They're going to think you're high or something.
Imagine someone reading it,
'Thank you for not saying issue once in 10 minutes! Brilliant!'
They're going to think you're high or something.
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I recently heard David Cameron say "issue" 4 times in one sentence. Can anyone better that. We also hear reference to bodily "issues". The mind boggles.
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Jack Reynolds. - 14-Jun-11 18:55
It is refreshing to hear someone else articulate my sentiments about the over-use of the word ISSUES. It has gotten quite ridiculous here in the USA: everyone and anything (including inanimate objects) have ISSUES. I read in the newspaper that some baby cribs were being recalled by the manufacturer because the cribs had ISSUES. Animal behaviorists are telling pet owners that their dogs and cats have ISSUES. Please stop it.
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So happy to see im not the only one who has noticed this infectious word used in circles of people trying to sound smart but only succeeding in being annoying!
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"The word "issues" has basically become a parody of itself..."
It certainly has, and the word 'basically' is also grossly overused and meaningless.
One of my employees told me she had 'issues' with her husband. I told her that as far as I was aware she had two, aged 6 and 9. She was quite unable to comprehend.
It certainly has, and the word 'basically' is also grossly overused and meaningless.
One of my employees told me she had 'issues' with her husband. I told her that as far as I was aware she had two, aged 6 and 9. She was quite unable to comprehend.
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The word "issues" has basically become a parody of itself, as it now means nothing. It's primarily used as a denial word for the word PROBLEMS. The word is particularly insulting and insensitive when sometime serious and tragic is being talked about and it's being said that person has "issues". A person's just lost their eyesight and some asshole says that person has "issues". People who overuse that word need to have something really terrible happen to them, then be bombarded with that word they so love. Will they still love it then, or have major "issues" with the word "issues"?
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Mate, there are far more important issues in the media. The British public need to know about stars such as Jordan and how is Britney Spears keeping these days?
This is important to the British public, everything else can sit upon the back burner.
This is important to the British public, everything else can sit upon the back burner.
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steveb
There is a law which states that if a person or their home has received a make-over on television they have to say "wow!"
I assume that if they are wow-refusers and try to say something like "that's quite nice, thank you" the production team will kidnap them with no food or water until they emit the customary squeals and say ....... well, you can fill in the gap.
There is a law which states that if a person or their home has received a make-over on television they have to say "wow!"
I assume that if they are wow-refusers and try to say something like "that's quite nice, thank you" the production team will kidnap them with no food or water until they emit the customary squeals and say ....... well, you can fill in the gap.
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another anon - 31-Aug-10 22:07
I totally agree! Somehow the problems that the Arabs and the Israelis have is an "Arab/Israeli issue." Or acne problems become "skin issues" (although a pimple can issue forth pus). How about when a yoga instructor asks "Does anyone have any back issues?". I'm temped to say, "Yes. I have back issues of National Geographic magazine."
There's also an epidemic of overusing the words "amazing", "huge' (when "huge"'isn't big enough, I've heard "huge, huge" and "big huge"), and more recently "obviously". I find myself counting the number of times someone says one of the overused words, most often heard on tv. Most people don't seem to notice. I wish I were one of them.
There's also an epidemic of overusing the words "amazing", "huge' (when "huge"'isn't big enough, I've heard "huge, huge" and "big huge"), and more recently "obviously". I find myself counting the number of times someone says one of the overused words, most often heard on tv. Most people don't seem to notice. I wish I were one of them.
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I totally agree! Somehow , there are no longer "problems"...as in "The Arab/Israeli issue", or describing acne as a "skin issue" (although a pimple can issue forth pus). Or when the yoga instructor asks "Does anyone have any back issues?" I'm always tempted to say, "Yes, I have back issues of National Geographic." And how about the epidemic of overusing "actually", "amazing" , "huge", and more recently "obviously". Drives me crazy! I wish I didn't hear it. Most people don't notice. I'd like to be one of those people.
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Yes you are absolutely right. With the UK General Election that has just taken place and the resulting 'hung parliament' the word has reached epidemic proportions.
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I am SO very happy to see I am not the only one who has a problem with the unnecessary and over use of the word "issue". I can remember when a problem was called a problem and an issue was a publication. I think people hear other people say this infectious word and believe for some reason it makes them sound smart or educated.. to me it just sounds like people attend too many seminars and that's the only word they use to sound smart amongst themselves.
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Kentucky Lew - 31-Mar-10 06:13
Couldnt agree with you more,for christs sake in most cases its a 'problem'.
how will anyone face anything if its just an 'i***e'.iIthought it was just me..also we dont have 'murder' anymore on the news..its....'homicide' ..shakes head....
how will anyone face anything if its just an 'i***e'.iIthought it was just me..also we dont have 'murder' anymore on the news..its....'homicide' ..shakes head....
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i hate nu-liebore - 20-Dec-09 14:59
I'm glad people agree on the massive overuse of the word 'issues'. People using that are just sheep with no thought process of their own. It was a word I rarely used before, but no I go out of my way to NEVER use it. Also, I'm incredibly annoyed by the use of the corporate catch phrases 'going forward' or 'moving forward'. Nice going, corporate robots.
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Adam 'No Issues' Lenha - 15-Nov-09 18:58
with reference to sky subscriber, do youse know that sky are asking for two months in advance payment if youre services get stopped due to non-payment or failed direct debit.
the only way to avoid this is to clear owing balance and set up a direct debit with sky.
no customers were told of this, and the first time they are told is when they call up to pay bill to get services on again. this causes a few angry customers whom generaly through abuse down the line to the advisor that is there to help them,
so be warned!!!!!
the only way to avoid this is to clear owing balance and set up a direct debit with sky.
no customers were told of this, and the first time they are told is when they call up to pay bill to get services on again. this causes a few angry customers whom generaly through abuse down the line to the advisor that is there to help them,
so be warned!!!!!
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I'm relieved to have found other people who are as repulsed as I am by the overuse of the word "issue." And "repulsed" is not overstating it! I actually feel a slight twinge of nausea and weariness.
The impression I get when I hear or read this word thrown around is of a speaker or writer both ignorant and pretentious, a bad combination. It feels as if there's an element of in-crowd-ishness, too--think of that bland, complacent mass of people who don't think much or deeply and who resent being pulled into the apparently scary maelstrom of conscious communication.
The impression I get when I hear or read this word thrown around is of a speaker or writer both ignorant and pretentious, a bad combination. It feels as if there's an element of in-crowd-ishness, too--think of that bland, complacent mass of people who don't think much or deeply and who resent being pulled into the apparently scary maelstrom of conscious communication.
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I had an electrician once who told me home's electrical system had issues. I said if I had known that, I would have called an electrical therapist. I think this comes from psychobabble of twelve step programs or something like that. You can't tell someone he has a problem. . . too negative. And too fixable. Have a problem, fix it. Got an issue, get a tissue.
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Well said, I fully agree with and support you on this. Even when people are talking about a solution to what is a problem they keep referring to the problem as an issue.
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I also have a big issue with the overuse of the word issue. it is causing me such issues that I have an issue with listening to the radio in the car as everytime I hear the world issue I wince and cringe and have started to groan as well. Before long I shall be screaming out loud. I fear I may be so distracted that I may vere of the road and have an accident. I shall then have a care repair issue and the police will have issues with me.
It is driving me crackers to the point where I fear that I may have mental health issues.
Seriously though, you are spot on. I am relieved to know that I am not alone in suffering these issues with"issue".
It is driving me crackers to the point where I fear that I may have mental health issues.
Seriously though, you are spot on. I am relieved to know that I am not alone in suffering these issues with"issue".
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