Skunked Terms Checker

This rule identifies and flags "skunked terms" - words or phrases that have become problematic or contentious in their usage due to shifting meanings or ongoing usage debates. A skunked term is one that has become so disputed in meaning or proper usage that it's difficult to use effectively in professional writing without potentially causing confusion or debate.

The motivation behind this rule is to help writers avoid terms that might detract from their message. When a word becomes skunked, readers may focus more on debating the appropriateness or meaning of the term rather than understanding the content's message. This rule helps maintain clarity and prevents unintended distractions in your writing.

Examples:

• Will flag:
  • "Her bona fides are well established" (The term "bona fides" has disputed usage)
  • "The building was deceptively large" (Ambiguous - does it mean larger or smaller than it appears?)
  • "The population was decimated" (Originally meant "reduced by one-tenth," now used more loosely)
  • "Hopefully, the weather will improve" (Disputed usage as a sentence adverb)
  • "Thankfully, we arrived on time" (Similar issues as "hopefully" as a sentence adverb)

In each case, the rule suggests finding clearer, less controversial alternatives to express your meaning.