The "hated words" thread

[Voodoo Sally]

Since when did the word "as" become a substitute for "because"? OK, OK, I know that it is a correct use, but that use has become so very popular lately, and it grates on me. "I have written my term paper with a pencil, as my computer has just exploded."

Just say "because," or "since," when you mean "because," and save "as" for one of its many other uses, such as "during the time", or "like." E.g., "As I was riding along, a turtle crossed in front of me." Or, "As I said before, we have to use these cover sheets on our TPS reports."