Today, some random dispatches from the Word Front ...

—Goodie-Goodies — We all know that many young people now respond to "thank you" with "no problem" instead of "you're welcome." But Dan Olson of Sioux Falls, S.D., writes to tell me he's noticed another trend: turning down an offer of food or beverage by saying, "I'm good" instead of "no, thanks." (Waiter: "Would you like another piece of pie?" Patron: "I'm good.")

In this context, "I'm good," of course, indicates, not that the recipient is virtuous, but rather that he or she is "all set" and doesn't need further nourishment or refreshment, thank you. Call me cranky, but this response strikes me as ungracious, even discourteous.

Another "good" phrase that's not so good is: "It's all good." People seem to use this cliche, not when everything is going perfectly well, but instead when they've hit a bump or obstacle. ("I'm taking a new job in California. We had to sell the house for less than we paid for it, but it's all good.")

As much as I admire the plucky attitude conveyed by "It's all good," this phrase is rapidly becoming worn-out. When someone serves it up yet again, I'm tempted to reply, "I'm good."

—A Worrying Trend — A network news correspondent recently described a medical issue that has led doctors and researchers to a "worrying conclusion." Now, I've never seen a conclusion worry. I'm wondering whether it knits its brow, rubs its head and grits its teeth.

More and more people are using "worrying" not to mean "fretting" ("a worrying mom") but "causing fretting" ("a worrying event"). "Worrying" joins other participles that have recently flipped in meaning, e.g., "these problems are very concerning"; "the movie was very involving." Frankly, I'm worrying about these worrying trends.

—Truth or consequences — Marcia Wolman emails that she's irritated by the frequent replacement of "result" with "outcome."

I've noticed this, too, and I suspect a weasel factor. My hunch is that people try to avoid accountability by choosing "outcome" because it implies a greater distance between an action and a consequence than does "result."

"Outcome" — literally, how things come out — implies that chance, nature and acts of God play a large role in an occurrence. Call me sensitive, but I'd rather have a doctor tell me that an upcoming operation will have a good "result" than a good "outcome," especially if a piece of my body is coming out.

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254