Does anyone else resent the misappropriation of "random"?

[lalalonglegs]

I'm tired of thinking of synonyms - arbitrary, indiscriminate - to replace it so that I don't sound like some gormless old codger trying to sound street. My ex-boss used random once when she meant incongruous and I've been very every since but lately turned increasingly irritated.

Ha, your head would explode if you knew me - random is one of my favourite words and I misuse it with abandon.

I know someone who uses the nickname Random on another site [grin.

Why? Why did everyone suddenly start up with it? Leave it alone .

yes!

scary falls into the same category, but no-one apart from me seems to have noticed

The difference in casual usage between random (proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern) and inconcruous (out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming) is surely quite subtle.

I often say random when i mean 'out of the blue' with no logical aim, reason or pattern...

It's not the traditional usage but i'm not sure how 'wrong' it really is

Oh dear, I misuse scary a lot too. I also say indeed, quite, absolutely and definitely far too ften.

I should not be on this thread, am I making you all itch?

I will give you the context (I was working on a magazine): "These pages are looking quite random." Now do you see? Worse is when people say "some random girl" - the "random" isn't needed.

Stealth - I hadn't noticed scary; now wondering if I have misused it myself .

I sometimes use random in that way though - I thought it was ironical/off-hand.

Oops, hit enter too soon. I meant in that useage - not the usual meaning of random.

Teach me to type and watch SCD at the same time .

No Simply, it's plain wrong.