Most overused adjectives to describe works that are loved or hated?

Started by ChamberNut, May 29, 2008, 09:28:44 AM

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Chose 3 most "overused" adjectives describing works loved or hated.

Sublime
Beautiful
Awesome
Exquisite
Ethereal
Boring
Lovely
Fantastic
Supreme
Horrible
Incredible
Melodic
Lyrical
Romantic
Pure
Enigmatic
Unbelievable
Passionate
Overdrawn
Dragging
Lukewarm
Intense
Energetic
Vibrant
Extraordinary
Difficult
Cathartic
Poignant
Definitive
Essential
Dissonant
Dry
Eerie
Multi-dimensional
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Wanderer

#40
October 21, 2008, 03:00:58 AM
Quote from: Corey on October 20, 2008, 04:30:25 PM
It's impossible to call something "exquisite" and not sound like a pretentious dick.

Unpretentious deecks, beware!   :D

Kullervo

#42
October 21, 2008, 05:17:03 AM
"Unbelievable" is also good as it almost never makes sense in the context that it is used. It reminds me of Demetri Martin's joke about "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" (a butter "spread" brand for anyone not in the U.S.):

"I like to use "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter" on my toast in the morning, because sometimes when I eat breakfast, I like to be incredulous. 'How was breakfast?' 'Unbelievable!'"

Moldyoldie

#43
October 21, 2008, 05:24:50 AM Last Edit: October 21, 2008, 05:42:54 AM by moldyoldie
I'm probably as guilty as anyone of "overusing" certain adjectives when describing music, but that's because the adjectives exist for a reason. I'll also say that their existence is one of the glories of the English language!

One adjective which I consciously avoid, however, is "definitive" (vote tallied).  Another word I purposely avoid is "genius", a word overused to an almost sickening degree in the arts and elsewhere.
"I think the problem with technology is that people use it because it's around.  That is disgusting and stupid!  Please quote me."
- Steve Reich

Garibaldi

#44
October 24, 2008, 08:49:19 AM
I also voted for "definitive".

It's not the most overused, of course; I just hate seeing it used to describe a performance.

Ten thumbs

#45
October 27, 2008, 02:44:30 PM
Shall we ban description altogether before this discussion becomes too complex.
Here goes:
Beethoven's 9th Symphony is: a symphony.
A day may be a destiny; for life
Lives in but little—but that little teems
With some one chance, the balance of all time:
A look—a word—and we are wholly changed.

karlhenning

#46
January 12, 2009, 08:15:39 AM
Quote from: Corey on October 21, 2008, 05:17:03 AM
"Unbelievable" is also good as it almost never makes sense in the context that it is used. It reminds me of Demetri Martin's joke about "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" (a butter "spread" brand for anyone not in the U.S.):

"I like to use "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter" on my toast in the morning, because sometimes when I eat breakfast, I like to be incredulous. 'How was breakfast?' 'Unbelievable!'"

OTOH, we've found a value of signification in a double negative here;  they could hardly name their product, "I Believe It's Butter"  8)

Homo Aestheticus

#47
January 12, 2009, 08:18:02 AM
Chambernut,

You forgot 'delicate' and 'delicate potency'

;)

Seriously though, there really is no other better, general way to characterize Debussy's unique opera.

:)  

karlhenning

#48
January 12, 2009, 08:21:20 AM
Quote from: The Unrepentant Pelleastrian on January 12, 2009, 08:18:02 AM
Seriously though, there really is no other better, general way to characterize Debussy's unique opera.

Sure there is: tedious bloat.

Seriously though, not every thread is just an occasion for Debussy spam.
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