We all grew up knowing what “bad words” are. Those fun, four letter words that used to get us in trouble if we copied our parents and said them. Chances are, those words are no longer that bad for us and they get sprinkled into daily use. However, some words have made it into our vocabulary that should not be there. Words that are offensive, words that are derogatory, words that are inappropriate. Now, I am no language expert. These are interpretations of words that I have come across in my daily life, been uncomfortable with, and researched. What bothers me, might not bother you. However, this is my list of “bad words” that I would not/should not/will not repeat. While some might think I’m being too politically correct, I prefer to call it being human.

1. "That's so gay"

Whenever I hear someone say this, I always want to ask if anyone has ever said “that’s so straight” to them. The one time I did ask someone this, they stammered and said “Well this is different.” Oh. Okay.

2. "Illegal alien"

To isolate a population that helped build our country from the bottom up is disgraceful and insensitive, especially given the struggles that numerous undocumented migrants face to stay in a country that rejects them with words like these.

3. "Retarded"

“Retarded” is not interchangeable with stupid. What’s stupid is not calling out your friends who are still using it as such.

4. "That____just raped me!"

The PG version of my thoughts on this phrase are that 1) Sexual assault is not funny and 2) If you think that sexual assault is funny, you have a long way to go.

5. "I'm so OCD"

When using OCD as an adjective, you perpetuate the notion that having OCD should be considered a problem or is something that makes someone different. Misplaced use can create an environment where people who actually struggle with the illness might feel invalidated.

6. "Exotic"

Unfortunately, many people use this word because they think it’s a compliment. In reality, it ostracizes people/places/things that are non-traditional and essentially non-white. Just ask our good friend Christopher Columbus, he knows all about that.

7. "Like a girl"

When I hear this phrase, I think of insecurity. Not on behalf of all my ladies out there, but on behalf of the men who use it. If someone tells you that you do something “like a girl” say “good because they’re f*cking awesome!” and leave it at that.

8. "Tranny"

This word prompts mixed responses. While some people who identify as transgender believe that the word itself is offensive, others believe that the intention behind the word is offensive. Additionally, some members of the transgender community are trying to reclaim the word as something positive. Alternatives for “tranny” include transgender or trans.

9. "Slut" or "whore"

If you love being sexually active, own it. If you don’t love being sexually active, own that too. If you have enough time to judge how sexually active someone is, get a new hobby.

10. "That's so ghetto"

I always find that white people stop calling things “ghetto” when they start to like them. Whether it be movies, music, people, etc. When “ghetto” is used, it is synonymously with something unkempt or trashy. This is insulting on social, racial, and cultural levels.

11. "I feel fat"

Being that so many people struggle with having a positive body image, I am genuinely shocked that “fat” is considered a casual feeling. Beyond that, it is usually used in a joking mater. As if feeling bigger is funny for the person struggling with their body image