Never Utilizer

OK, I'll admit it. I have pet peeves and one of them is the overuse of "utilize" when "use" will do nicely, thank you. On every TV show, news program, and in everyday life, I hear utilize used incorrectly. Everyone is using "utilize" just to sound more intelligent I guess. It's like my t-shirt says, "I use words I don't understand so I'll sound more photosynthesis". It is an epidemic of gigantic proportions !!!

The definition of use is "to put into action, employ, utilize" while the definition of utilize is "to make use of, employ". Utilize implies a strategy of strategic employment. In other words, if you're going to use that object for its intended purpose, then use "use". If you're thinking that there is a new use for the object and you're gonna try that, then by all means use "utilize". Let me give an example....

I have a toothbrush and I intend to brush my teeth with it. I will use my toothbrush for its intended purpose and I will brush my teeth. However, if I decide that my toothbrush might better be used to clean my floor, I will utilize it to do just that. I will utilize it for a new purpose. Easy peasy. Use it or lose it, I always say.

So, in the spirit of using words as they're intended, let's all promise to use these as they should be used. Let's not get into a habit of word misuse. English is difficult enough without the intentional word misapplication that we see in ads and televisions everywhere.

And as long as we're talking language.... how about using there, their, and they're correctly ? I went there to see if their cat was being nice as they're off on vacation. Simple. Straight forward. Correct. English teachers everywhere cringe when these are used incorrectly... and so do I !!!

Another pet peeve is autocorrect. Why does a computer get to change what I meant to say just because it thinks it's smarter than me ? I did a little artificial intelligence work back in the day and computers only understand 2 things... of or on. 1 or 0. A very binary world they live in, so who gave computers the right to assume that I am wrong and they're right ? (notice the correct use of "they're" ?) I would rather that autocorrect was replaced with auto-maybehe'sright as a default setting. I have a t-shirt that has these words written on it: "Autocorrect is my worst enema" and it's so true......

Those are my reflections. I can't wait to hear yours.....