Pick any two words that you would remove from the English language, and why?

1) "Like"

        This word has gotten on my nerves to many times throughout presentations, speeches, and even in normal conversation. It’s become a filler word, an obnoxious verbal tick that I cannot ignore whenever someone has a lapse in thought, and I find myself being unable to focus on anything else. Are there benefits to this word? Definitely. It has become a common component of so many conversations throughout the world. However, its ease of access has allowed for it to deviate from its normal usage, lurking behind every inarticulate moment of human speech. This word isn’t irreplaceable either – its versatility (which contributes to its ubiquity) means that there are often better, more precise terms to use in its place. Want to draw a comparison? Use “such as”. Want to express a favorable opinion towards something? Use “enjoy” or “love”, more precise language for whatever situation it is. Ultimately, the banishing of this word and replacing it with more precise, fitting terms will make both human speech and literature much more articulate and descriptive as a whole.

2) "Phlegm"

         Rated as one of the most hated words in the English language, and for good reason. In any situation where this word may be used, “mucus” already has you covered done and there. So why go for this disgusting word instead? Do writers really need to communicate that feeling of a slug crawling in the back of your nasal passage? (though, it may be the reason why you can’t pronounce the “g” in that word). Do they really need of you to think of a thick, vile, greenish slime excreted from an organic, pulsating orifice? The spelling of this word feels more redundant than the word “Queue” (there’s four extra letters in there) and honestly shouldn’t exist in the first place.