Archives: Banished Words 1997
Aroma therapy -
“This catchy word can be found on the labels of
everything from shampoo bottles to air fresheners. If it’s
truly ‘therapy’, perhaps I should come at a
higher price.” Michelle Batterbee Fox, Ellsworth
School teacher, Ellsworth, Michigan.
As If -
Slang expression used when someone has stated something
obvious, or something dumb. May be used interchangeably
with “DUH,” another expression which was
nominated by many.
Attitude -
“A euphemism for an overbearingly aggressive nature.”
Bryon R. Crary, Clark Lake, Michigan.
Doing the _____ thing -
"Mom Thing, Dad thing, Kid thing, Right thing, Word
Banishment thing" Nominated for overuse and
uselessness by Susan Elek, St. Clement Catholic High
School English Teacher, center Line, Michigan.
Don't (even) Go There -
Another gift form the talk show circuit. “Go where?
Do what?” Pellston High School Creative Writing
Class, Pellston, Michigan
Down Time -
“It may be alright when applied to computers, but
not humans.” Polly Fields, LSSU English professor.
Get a Life -
“A worn out phrase which has somehow escaped the
list until now.” Chris Gailus, Channel 3 News Guy,
Calgary, Alberta.
I'm Like -
– Used with the hated ‘he goes/she goes.’
For example: “My son dashes into the room and he
goes, ‘Dad! Dad!’ and I’m like, ‘What?
What?’ The perpetrators of such babble should be
locked together in a room, with their baseball caps
riveted bill forward.” Allen C. Myers, senior editor,
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing C., Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Joe Sixpack -
“I am president and founder of the International
Order for the Abolition of the Word Sloppy Joe. Its goal
is to ban Sloppy Joe, Common Joe, Joe Blow… It gives
Joes a bad name. You never hear of a Sloppy Steve, Ruth
etc. Joes should never be lumped together as common or
everyday. I therefore nominate ‘Joe Sixpack’.
Man on the street is good enough.” Joe Gallagher,
Port Huron, Michigan. (Ed. Note: According to our
Canadian neighbors, the Canadian equivalent to Joe
Sixpack is “Joe lunchbucket.” This would be
included in the banishment.)
Just Play One Game at a
Time - "There being no alternative,
our overpaid athletes can safely offer to do at least
this much." Jack Dietrich, Albuquerque, NM.
La Macarena -
“Ad nauseam.” Robert Sutherland, London,
Ontario.
Multi-tasking -
“Doing several things at once said it all.”
Donna Gayon, Perry High School teacher, Perry, Michigan.
Out-Sourcing -
“Big business word for having parts and supplies
produced by another company.” Tory Cook, MCTV
reporter, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Paper or Plastic? -
“Are they talking about payment or package totes?”
Paul D. Feedman, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Phone Tag -
“It may have been a cool, trendy phrase in the 80s,
but it is really annoying now.” Mark Terwillinger,
LSSU Computer Science Professor.
Thank you for taking my
call - “This groveling by callers to
talk shows accomplishes nothing, wastes time and places
the talk show host and guests in an (undeserved) superior
position.” Dan McManman, Nomad Lake Superior
Charters, Ironwood, Michigan.
Whatever -
Received the most nominations. “Whatever what?
Whatever I want? Whatever I need? It doesn’t make
any sense.” Rachel Bivens, Manton High School
student, Manton, Michigan.
Winningest -
As in, “She’s the winningest coach in history.
You Go, Girl -
“Overused on TV talk shows and now it’s
everywhere.” Lillie Taylor, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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