While we are discussing a word that bugs Charcloth, I will take the opportunity to discuss words that bug me. (Sorry for temporarily stealing your stump, Char!) "Went ballistic". I hate that phrase. And it has gained such popularity since Johnnie Cochran used it during the so-called "Trial of the Century". Ballistics is the science dealing with motion and impact of projectiles. It does not fit to say "He went ballistic." "Closure" has become overused. Perhaps it is grammatically correct to say "We need closure on this situation", but it bugs me. It seems that words become "trendy", and we find ourselves using such only because "everybody does it". There are many others, but I will get off the stump, before Char goes ballistic! khandu