I like to think I'm a pretty smart fella. However, I have deleted the words "effect" and "affect" from my written vocabulary. I never know which one to use. Mnemonic devices have been suggested to me over the years. I promptly forget them.
I know that "special effects" and "cause and effect" are correct, and I know how things affect me, but anything beyond that is beyond me. I will go to great lengths to avoid using these words. I'd rather not use them at all if I think I'm going to look silly using the wrong one.
Do you have any words or phrases that you avoid for similar reasons?