Banned From the Vernacular: School Releases Latest List of Unwanted Words
Lake Superior State University released it's annual list of banished words, and you might be surprised to learn what's on it.
The "fiscal cliff" is an expression that has been at the forefront of everybody's mind lately, as websites and news channels race to cover the impending tax hike that could go into effect at the beginning of the new year.
But did you know the expression is also being singled out for another reason?
Yes, "fiscal cliff" and eleven other words, phrases and expressions were named to Lake Superior State University's 38th annual List of Words to be Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness.
According to the school's website, the tongue-in-cheek tradition began on New Years Eve in 1975, when the school's former public relations director and other employees thought it would be fun to banish some overused words from the English language.
The initial list was published on January 1, 1976, and it has been a hit ever since.
According to the school, the list is chosen from nominations submitted to the university's website at www.lssu.edu/banished.
This year there was no shortage of expressions to add to the already 800 that have been named over the past three and a half decades.
Here are the dirty dozen that made this year's banished list:
- Fiscal Cliff
- Kick the Can Down the Road
- Double Down
- Job Creators/Creation
- Passion/Passionate
- YOLO
- Spoiler Alert!
- Bucket List
- Trending
- Superfood
- Boneless Wings
- Guru
Of the dozen I'd say I'm guilty of using at least two of them on a regular basis.
But the one I have to wholeheartedly agree with is "boneless wings."
As one person who commented on the choice said, "Can we just call them chicken (pieces)?"
What words or expressions are you tired of hearing, Harborites? Any from this list, or perhaps you have one of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
Lorna Johnston
9:49 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Awesome makes me want to reguritate!
Jeffrey Rosenfield
9:49 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
"Awesome" made the list last year, Lorna. And evidently many people asked what took so long?!
marshall
9:49 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I love watching designer shows but enough with the word 'eclectic' not even sure of the spelling but pretty sure means bunch of crap that dont match lol And for proper words lets drop 'Kardashian' means bunch of people famous for nothing
Danielle Ferreri
11:34 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
"Amazing" has lost all meaning, because everyone calls virtually EVERYthing "amazing."
"Space." There are no "rooms" in a house anymore. Only "space."
Don't want to deal with that right now? We'll "put a pin in it."
YARG!!!!
Jeffrey Rosenfield
11:39 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I love all these awesome, amazing and eclectic suggestions! Oh and Danielle, I have a feeling "put a pin in it" is a prime candidate to make the 2014 list!
Gary Moos
3:42 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Because words have great power, to sway our opinions, the news media has a special obligation to coin terms responsibly. The connotations of multi word terms are sometimes muddied by the connotations of their individual parts.
Sometimes the choice of terms paints a picture thats slants our feelings toward the subject of a news story. Example, which term is more accurate; "rape victim" or "rape survivor"? They may both be accurate. But one is empowering and one serves to further victimize.
The inattention to the connotations of multi word terms has lead to what I believe is one of the most ill-conceived terms of all times, "suicide bomber."
The word "suicide" often elicits sympathy and avoids the fact that terrorism and murder are the most important part of the story.
A more accurate term would be murder/suicide bomber, or better yet, "terrorist/ suicide bomber."
So "suicide bomber" and "rape victim" get my vote for two phases that should no longer be used.
Jeffrey Rosenfield
4:51 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Very interesting points. Thanks for providing an alternate perspective on the topic, Gary.
Jacqui Linder
4:49 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
But I love Awesome... I use it all the time. I needed something to replace groovy..
Robert "Bobby" Saltzman
6:01 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Passion/Passionate...whoa!!! I used those words a lot when I was campaigning especially when I was railing about the trees....
Jeffrey Rosenfield
6:03 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Evidently you and a lot of other people use those words, Bobby!