Vocabulary Peeve of the Day

Saying "righteous" when one means "self-righteous". This is very common -- people do this all the time and it always annoys the heck out of me.

The dictionary definition of righteous:

1. Morally upright; without guilt or sin: a righteous parishioner.
2. In accordance with virtue or morality: a righteous judgment.
3. Morally justifiable: righteous anger.

The dictionary definition of self-righteous:

1. Piously sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic.
2. Exhibiting pious self-assurance: self-righteous remarks.

Being righteous is good. Being self-righteous is bad. Get it straight, people!