8 phrases people with below-average intelligence use in everyday conversation

Geediting.com ^ | 06/13/2025 | Olivia Reid

[ChicagoConservative27]

If someone uses big words to sound smart, they’re probably not. If someone speaks in clichés, they might be lacking original thought.

Understanding human communication isn’t always simple.

In fact, navigating the labyrinth of human conversation requires more than just a good ear. It also requires an understanding of certain speech patterns and phrases.

Now, some folks have a knack for this. They can hear a few words and immediately gauge the intelligence of the speaker.

In this article, let’s delve into 8 phrases that, more often than not, are used by people with below-average intelligence in everyday conversation.

[nicollo]

From the article:

People with below-average intelligence often overuse these words because they struggle to find more specific, descriptive language. They might say something is “really good” instead of “exquisite” or “very bad” instead of “dreadful”.

Sorry, if you don't use the words "exquisite" or "dreadful," you're a moron and you need to pay up to not make a fool of yourself.

Or, maybe this is an exquisitely dreadful scam service trying to con you into paying them to edit your writing:

About Global English Editing
Global English Editing is an exclusively online professional editing and proofreading company that provides an unrivaled combination of quality services and affordability to clients worldwide.

[HandyDandy]

From any YouTube how to:
“Ok so, what you wanna do is you wanna go like this ………”

[LibertyWoman]

This site used to be vicious. A couple of the older posters would ping multiple FReepers to attack someone if they disagreed about something. It was atrocious. Because they were ‘older’ members they got by with it. Anyway, I haven’t seen that behavior recently.

[HandyDandy]

How about referring to a small grouping of things as “puppies”. Ok, so you wanna take some of these puppies (referring to a handful of lug nuts, a set of brake pads or perhaps some wiper inserts). Ewwww I hate that!

[HandyDandy]

Pet peeve: when somebody says “all of the sudden”.

[HandyDandy]

Two that seem to have finally gone out of vogue:
1) Perception is reality (barf)
2) Shit happens

[Olog-hai]

Not grey issues.

[jmacusa]

A few annoying others: ‘’basically’’.’’like’’. “You know’’.

‘’So guess what?’’. “So I go’’.(instead of saying “So I said’’).

[fr_freak]

How about saying *I could care less* when they mean they could NOT care less?

I did some reading about this a while back, and apparently the original saying was "I could care less, but I don't see how." People just started dropping off the last part.

[metmom]

Interesting.

Thanks.

[enumerated]

The headline promises 8 phrases, then lists 8 crutches instead.

Why have a deceptive headline? I don’t get it.

[Ignatz]

“Long story short.”

I prefer, “That’s a very long story and even longer when I tell it, so let me just say...”

[rocksblues]

I don’t know which version is more annoying.