ASHLAND — The website Atlantic Wire posted a list of most-hated words. Being a person who makes her living from words, loves to think about words and loves to talk, I find lists of terrible words very interesting.

The Atlantic Wire made an excellent point, one I’ve used in word discussions: Words aren’t bad; it’s how we use them that makes them bad. Or terrible. Or hated.

Often I express my disdain for the way we use the word “awesome,” which not only is on the hated-word list but was recently dubbed the worst word on the planet by an online writer. This is the perfect example of a word that’s misused or overused. A brilliant sunset is awesome. The power of a hurricane is awesome. The baby Jesus is awesome. The best burrito in the world still isn’t awesome. The same goes for amazing.

In a similar vein, there are “basically,” “essentially,” “literally,” “honestly,” “particularly,” “seriously” and “thusly.” In most cases, they aren’t necessary, just filler. They all made the list.

Some of the words on the list were unfamiliar to me. That’s because I’m not young and cool enough to incorporate them into my vocabulary, thank goodness.

Here are a few of the entries. You can decide for yourself.

‰Arguably. Usually people use the term to describe a situation they believe is indisputable, but the real meaning should be something that’s indisputable.

‰Epic. This is often used as a positive descriptive but the true definitions include 1) a long poem, 2) heroic and 3) massive. It’s possible a person who uses words in a trendy way could said, “That pizza was epic,” when he means the pizza was good, not poetic, heroic or massive.

‰Honey. As a term of endearment, it made the list and is considered annoying. When I get keyed up, I throw in a “honey” here or there and I don’t find it annoying to be called “honey.” If someone wants to accuse me of being sweet or delicious, I’m all for it.

‰Irregardless. This shouldn’t have made the list because it isn’t a word. Same for “supposably” and “um.”

‰Like. Of course, “like” made the list, as in the “likes” that overrun many conversations like kudzu on the side of the road.

There are a few words on the list that make no sense as hated words. Why would someone hate the word “damp?” Or “rancid?” These descriptive words have their place and, as far as I know, aren’t overused or used inappropriately. Nothing says “rancid meat” like “rancid meat.”

On the other end of the spectrum, many people don’t like “whimsical” and all its variations. I use one of them every day and I don’t know what I’d do without whimsy.

Zwieback now not only is a cracker but also is “effortlessly evocative of drool.” Maybe I should hate it, but I don’t. In fact, I’m going to try to start using it when I talk about drool. It sounds much more interesting’

Words are fun and it’s interesting to see what people associate with different words. It’s also fun to complain about words being used incorrectly and being overused.

And don’t even get me started on punctuation.

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.