I, Hereby Decree

Dear Diary,

Are analysts allowed to issue decrees?  So... how do I do that then and where do I submit the decree?  No, you don't always have to do things for me... I thought you liked to help me.  Isn't your love language "acts of service?"

My decree is for a word to be permanently removed from the English language.  This word is used often by people in meetings, has appeared in many news headlines, and I think it is inappropriate.  But, more importantly, I can not say the word properly and that embarrasses me.

The word is "exacerbate."

I know.  I don't like it either.  It's too close to another certain word.  I have been in a lot of meetings and people throw this word around without a care in the world.  When I jump in to reiterate a point, I'll try to use this word and totally embarrass myself.

For some reason I can not say "exaCERbate."  I nearly always mispronounce the word "exaSTERbate."  Which is totally embarrassing.

Do you know how I determine if I said the word correctly?  I look at the facial expressions of whomever is looking at me.  If I see an eyebrow furl, I know I said it wrong.

Thus, after years of this problem I think it is time for a decree to be issued which abolishes the use of this word.

There's another word that I can not say correctly, but I'll save that for a later time.  I think I'm only allowed one decree a month.  But I'll give you a clue... think Seinfeld.

Tags: decree, embarrassing, seinfeld
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