"the arts"

It irks me when people talk about "the arts." As in: "I wish I had more time for the arts in my life." Or: "I am a big supporter of the arts."

Unless you are a big-time philanthropist and are actually in a position to affect the art world in a major way - like by donating a million bucks to a museum and having them name a wing after you - then you really have no business calling it "the arts." It just sounds pompous and dumb.

Better, though still not good: "I wish I had more time to appreciate art" or "I love art" or "Art is a big part of my life."

Best: Don't refer to art like it's some kind of hobby or activity. If you have really been touched by art, it's not something you need to say. You're too busy whiling away an evening with a good book or movie, losing yourself in music, or finding beauty in the daily life around you to even talk about it.