Dictionary of Modern American Usage defines “skunked” as “When a word undergoes a marked change from one use to another . . . it’s likely to be the subject of dispute.”

Example: Hopefully means in a hopeful way, not I hope. It’s the paradigmatic example of a skunked term.

Class.

I know skunked is defined as a “word” but It’s Me … Mr.TramueL and I don’t follow trends, I set them.

Mr.TramueL’s top ten & ½ irritating phrases that ‘cause folk to get sprayed up by a skunk …

10» With all due respect:

Mr. Dennit: Ricky, your little obscene gesture is going to cost you 100 points. Do you know how much that costs us in sponsorship dollars?

Ricky: With all due respect, Mr. Dennit, I had no idea you’d gotten experimental surgery to have your balls removed.

Mr. Dennit: What did you just say to me?

Ricky: What? I said it with all due respect!

Mr. Dennit: Just because you say that doesn’t mean you get to say whatever you want to say to me!

Ricky: It sure as hell does!

Mr. Dennit: No, it doesn’t!

Ricky: It’s in the Geneva Conventions, look it up!

9» I could care less: I believe what most people mean to say is that they couldn’t care less … but who am I? You probably could care less.

8»At this moment in time: WTF? … Do you mean right now? or no maybe you mean now?

7» ‘Cause up North: *Deep Breath*

Them: We’re can I find a good Deli down here? ‘cause up north it’s one on every corner.

Me: Blank Stare. Blink. Blink.

6» Can I ask you something? I allow one question and you’ve already asked. No.

5» No, its not that: Then what is it? You’ve spent the last hour telling me exactly what it is & when I respond using your exact words & phrases co-signing it you say … “No, its not that”

4»  You know what I  mean? Too easy. It’s not rocket science

3» You know what I’m saying? Even easier. But that’s neither here nor there.

2» Basically: The equivalent of Um, I’d rather hear you say Um fifty times than to hear you use this useless qualifier at the beginning of every sentence.

1» At the end of the day: I thought this verbal crutch was only used by NBA players turned commentators and students giving unprepared synopsis after a long weekend of partying. But when I heard G. Dubya use it … I was too far gone, it’s over, we gon’ make this phrase light up « D.R.AK.E. references “Do Right And Kill Everything”

½»Stop putting that lower case (i) in front of everything. Programmers and developers for Apple haven’t created an iLove app … yet. I know that’s not a phrase but  iCan’t take it anymore. My eyes hurt.

Radiant Silence,

Mr. “With all due respect, I could care less at this moment in time ‘cause up north I can ask you something, you know what I mean? you know what I’m saying? Basically, at the end of the day you shouldn’t of done it. But that’s neither here nor there. Going forward, I absolutely expect fairly unique apps from Apple, it’s not rocket science its the same difference “ TramueL