It’s overused by too many people.
There is a certain person imbued with overwhelming political, military and economic power in the world today who uses it over and over. He (yes, he’s a he—you know what I mean) who uses it to describe almost every interaction possible.
My objections, in no particular order:
- There are so many synonyms and alternatives: agreement, contract, partnership, settlement, treaty, pact, accord, concord, understanding, covenant, and more. Each of these has a distinct meaning, each suited to a distinct context and intent.
- “Deal” is limited. Before the aforementioned orange-tinted menace to civilization came to prominence with his ghost-written book, it usually applied in a transactional context—which the orange menace applies exclusively. However, unlike in the dyed dodo’s usage, “deal” implies both sides being advantaged, each receiving something worth more to them than what they exchanged. That’s Economics 101, by the way. The wannabe dictator’s usage is closer to “submission.” (Yes, I know it also can mean distributing playing cards, and a “great deal” can mean a large amount, but that’s not what I’m getting to here.)
To paraphrase Inigo Montoya, it does not mean what he thinks it means.
My biggest objection: so many people are overusing the word! Journalists, commentators, politicians, analysts and people I know.
Trade negotiations no longer lead to agreements, like NAFTA or CUSMA, they culminate in a “deal.”
Lawsuits don’t end with settlements anymore, just “deals.”
Border disputes are resolved, not with agreements, but “deals.”
Wars end with “deals” instead of peace treaties.
Sure, “deal” is a less formal term. But it’s not as if the other terms are more difficult to understand.
We have a wealth of closely related words in English for good reason: nuance. Specific meaning with particular associations. A treaty is not the same as an agreement; a pact is not the same as an accord.
Using one general word for very different ideas, different types of human interactions, does not give the audience a clear, full understanding of what’s actually transpiring.
To all you professional communicators, whether in print, audio or video: let’s use our talents and powers of communication. Let’s choose the right word, the one that conveys the meaning.