There really are very few things that bother me. Maybe that's an understatement. (extra time left on the microwave, a messy craft room, kids that don't mind, no fresh produce or cheese, smelly candles, piles of dirty laundry in the bathroom, a sink full of dishes... There you have my ever growing list of annoyances.)

The one that getting me lately is slang. I can't tolerate bad English! I hear it whenever anyone speaks, even sometimes from myself. The errors in our language that I'm referring to are not the little grammar issues we all occasionally have. I can forgive the once in awhile misuse of a word or wrong tense. It's the made up words that bother me.

When I was in elementary Slang was defined by wether or not it could be found in the dictionary. If not, it was slang and shouldn't be used. Now, Webster has caught up to "the times" and added these made up words to appease my generation's need to define their faux language.

Last time I checked although using slang and Ebonics is considered mainstream it's still not considered polite or educated. In fact, I believe it displays disrespect and ignorance (just like unnecessary profanity, of which I'm also guilty of.)

Want an example? Which is more appropriate, "what'cha doin'?" or "what are you doing?" All it takes is a little effort to sound intelligent. Another one that bugs me, "well, anyways..." It's no different than the misuse of the word "like" in the 90's. We don't need to be valley girls every time we speak.

I'm sorry if by focusing on correcting my own language I accidentally attempt to fix yours as well. I'm tired of hearing myself make these mistakes. It makes me feel like I belong in high school when I know I'm well above that level now.

Xoxo, A. Scott