Words That Make You Sound Less Intelligent

Have you heard of a crutch word?  It is a word we use in sentences to either buy us more time to think or to stress something.  Dictionary.com has come up with a list of crutch words that are used too much and make us sound a little less intelligent.  Are you guilty of using any of these?

1. Actually
2. Basically
3. Like
4. Honestly
5. Literally

Ted brought it to my attention that I sometimes use the crutch word 'honestly'.  He teases me, "What? Were you going to lie to me?"  I'm so glad he said something so I can stop sounding like I was going to say anything other than the truth.  'Literally' is a pet peeve of Dan the Man.  Yes, I literally just called you that, Dan.

Try a little harder not to use these use words when you speak.  People might notice something different about you and remark on how intelligent you sound.  Probably not, but hey it is worth a try.