1) When people use two synonyms to describe something, separated by 'and', thinking it adds emphasis. This method is especially favored by guests on daytime talk or court shows, and eye-witnesses to any event covered on the local 5'oclock news.
EXAMPLE:
"Since the ATV accident, life for me has been very difficult and hard."
Less funny, but equally irritating to me:
2) When someone negates a part of an argument by saying that it's just "semantics." Semantics is the study of meaning in language. So basically, if you're saying "let's quit arguing semantics," to me it sounds like, "let's quit arguing about meaning." Wouldn't meaning be the only logical thing TO argue about? Why else would you argue?
If what you mean is that you think the current detail your opponent is focusing on is not important to the argument, say that.
If what you mean is, "we're just quibbling over the definition of this term," I'd say that agreeing on a definition of terms is a vital step in any argument if you're going to come to any conclusion at all.
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