Yeah, there was no quote in UL that uses the word "zipper" that wasn't naughty. Sorry not sorry. Actually, I'm lying. There's totally a sentence in the first chapter that mentions backpack zippers. But where's the fun in that??
So I actually hate the word zipper. But it's one of those weird words that you can't really find a way of replacing or editing out. So I started thinking about what other words I hate that I still have to use from time to time. So I made a list!
WARNING: Most of my least favorite words are related to sexytimes in some way.
Zipper
Ok, it's not so much the word that I hate. It's that it's just a necessary part of any below the waist sexy scenes. Pants can't come off without zippers going down. I know you can skip some things, but that always seems to be an action that needs to be on the page or people are going to wonder how the heck those pants came off. Magic? Scissors? And the pants aren't always 100% off, either, but Jordan's always wearing skinny jeans, no one's getting in there without a zipper being undone.
Nipple
I hate this word probably more than any other word and I don't even know why! It's just a weird word! It's a weird thing! Especially on dudes! But I mean, it's there. Sometimes a tongue has to be touching it...
Erection
This is one of those words that just sounds so textbook in a sentence. Like, what is this, high school health class? What's the alternative--hard on? Because that sounds SO romantic! NOT.
The F Word
No, not the obvious one. That's in there 183 times. The mean terrible one. I've tried to use it somewhat ironically but it always stands out like a sore thumb. I think it may be better off not in there at all. (Except maybe the quote featured in my V post. But that whole paragraph is heavy on the sarcasm so I think it works).
Love
Ok, I don't actually hate the word love. But it's kinda hard to come up with words that you dislike and still have to use (because if you dislike a word, you typically just don't use it!). But for this particular novel, I made it a point not to use this word. At all. Ok, once. That's why I'm hoping it will stand out in that particular sentence, because it kind of shows how one character is entirely aware of how another character feels for him (but has not revealed this to the reader). But I have made sure that I don't use it in any other sentence in the book, even something so simple as, "I love pizza!"
I wanted this list to be longer, but like I said, coming up with words that I hate and still have to use is hard. Plus they're all probably related to sex somehow. Well, that is it for this year's A to Z Challenge! I hope you all enjoyed my ramblings this month.
What words do you hate? Are you going to take a nice long nap now that the Challenge is over??
"Jordan's always wearing skinny jeans, no one's getting in there without a zipper being undone." <---Hahahahaha!
ReplyDeleteZippers don't tend to exist in the stories I've written thus far, but I can understand why you're not a fan of having to use it.
And I only used the obvious F-word, like, 50 times. Feels like a bit of a missed opportunity now.
Congrats on completing the challenge! Your posts have been great!
Congrats on making it to Z! I hadn't really thought about words I hate in my reading. There are ones I hate in the hearing. As a middle school teacher, I am working to train the creatures not to use "gay" or "retarded" as pejoratives, among other things.
ReplyDelete@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
It's interesting that you only use the word 'love' once - I think it will do exactly what you hope it will, and pop out of the book!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of curse words. It's very rare that I use even one. But it would have to serve some kind of purpose, like peeling away the layer of a character.
ReplyDeleteG. R. McNeese from
Project Blacklight
I'm not sure I hate any word, but I do hate how some of them are used in stories. As to the rest. . .I'm too wicked for resting, so no rest until much later in the year. Congrats on making it to Z and doing it so well.
ReplyDelete:o
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing your A to Z Challenge!! Stay in touch!
Joy @ The Joyous Living
Like you, I have problems with a couple of those words - nipple being one of them. :)
ReplyDeleteThose word are pretty despicable. I hate the word "very" because sometimes I am so tempted to use it, but I know I can't, probably shouldn't, it's gotta go. And "moist". Who could like that word?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great final post, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI think it is hysterical that most of your least favorite words relate to sexy times.
I've thought about words I hate. I'm sure I have several.
But words I can't stand in student papers are: get, got, things.
In fact, students knew they should never use those words or they would risk an automatic deduction. I think those words show a laziness and rarely "the perfect word" for any situation.
When it comes to sex scenes, I prefer the word erection. That's way better than some of the terms romances use. Or when they just call the body part of men and women 'sex'. WTF? Sex is what they are doing, not the name of the body part!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on making it to the end. =)
Those are some good words to dislike. I totally dislike the words never and always (as in: you never or you always which is ultimately a lie.). I also dislike the word worry... which gets so over-used, as in "I'm worried about my dog being home alone." Really? Worried? Concerned maybe, but not worried. I also totally dislike the work hate. As in, "I hate pizza." Hate's a pretty strong word to use for something you don't like.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing the challenge. Now it's time to relax and celebrate!
Skinny pants on men are so not cool. I went to the restroom at work last week and there were five guys all wearing skinny jeans. I burst out laughing. Couldn;t help it. I turned and left. Don;t care if I insulted them all.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on making it to Z.
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWhy, Zap my Zipper, I agree with your word choices. I'm now going to wake up and get back to blogging now that the very weird alphabet thingy is over! :)
Hearty congrats on finishing the darned thing.
Gary
Haha, in romance novels I always get a horrible image about things getting caught in that zipper! Kinda takes away from the sexiness of it.
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