THE. Having a definite article contributes to an overly developed sense of specialness and entitlement, bordering on the narcissistic [or should I say, “bordering on A narcissistic” ? ]

Seriously though, I’d like to believe I’ve already jettisoned words with no value-added, or attempt to do so.

Carlin discussed a huge list of euphemisms and weasel words contributing to the weakening of the language, but I try to only use those words to poke fun at the people who use them – e.g. “pre-owned.” Those words function to point out attempts to be manipulative, and so I wouldn’t eliminate them, because that’s an important function.