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.