I use "tacky" all the time, but always when it comes to behaviours. Like, when someone yells at a waiter, that's tacky. Or, when someone wears a huge diamond to her kid's soccer game: even if the diamond is gorgeous, her behaviour is tacky.

A word that makes my skin crawl is "Classy." The word itself seems to be the polar opposite of the elegance it's meant to connote.

I grew up with my father calling his own sister "tacky." Now that I'm an adult I'm not really sure I understand at all. At 70+ years old she wears heels, dresses, dyes her hair reddish and wears make up and has never considered herself beautiful but definitely interesting.

Man, it's like walking on eggshells around you people. Okay, then, I kept it to myself till now, but I would like to officially register my dislike of the word "pop" as in "pop of color" or "that will really make your eyes pop". It is so overused. And popping eyes sounds a little scary. However, "a bottle of pop" or "popping your collar" are delightful uses of this word.

You girls all make me laugh!!

I don't think I have an aversion to any words at all... but then again, there's not a whole lot that really gets me annoyed irrationally I don't think...

Except my irrational idea that dresses over jeans = boho LOL

Ha, Scarlet, I am going to have to agree with you on the "pop of color". There is just something about that phrase that is like nails on a chalkboard to me!

But I will disagree about "bottle of pop": it's soda. 20 years in the Midwest, and it is still "soda" to me. LOL!!!!!

"team Tacky"????

I agree with Angie, it's not constructive....I read the description 'trainwreck' describing someone who's look fits the definition of tacky, and I've adopted it...

omg, mac...totally agree with the word "classy", which is anything but. *shiver*

Oh boy, I'm not sure how I'm going to answer posts anymore, I can't keep track of all of the offending words and phrases.

I know what you mean, Lisa. For example I often want to use the word "cute" but I remember reading at some point that some people are deathly offended by it. I just don't remember who. I guess we all need to be a little understanding with each other.

Crimey! I am losing my English. Can you say "be understanding with each other?" that doesn't sound right. sigh.

LOL-
Feel free to tell me anytime whether an outfit is cute or tacky. You won't bother me.

Is it "understanding *of* eachother?" that sounds right I think.

I should probably be quiet anyway when words like "Crimey" come to mind. Sorry I have done too much reading about international tax laws today. Not that they mentioned crimey there, but I believe my brain is a little scrambled. Signing off...

Tacky makes me think of Goldie Hawn in "OVERBOARD" when Roddy McDowell asks the diva if she wants her jewelry. With her fingernails freshly polished, she snarks, "no, I'm still tacky." What a hoot! Is she talking about her wet nails or her snobby, overkill style?