What words, or combinations of words, do people use in an effort to sound more intelligent and educated, when, in fact, their usage of those words or phrases are wrong?

For example, people use the word “sodium” when referring to salt. However, by itself sodium is a metal. There are many different kinds of salt and lots of them don’t even HAVE sodium as part of their make up. Plus you mix sodium with other elements and get compounds that are nothing like salt. So why do people use the word sodium when referring to salt?

Are there other words, or phrases that people use incorrectly?

I always get scart asking questions like this because some grammar nabu is gonna come in and point out just such an error in my question!