2010 Banished Words List
Word “czars” at Lake Superior State University “unfriended” 15 words and phrases and declared them “shovel-ready” for inclusion on the university’s 35th annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.
“The list this year is a ‘teachable moment’ conducted free of ‘tweets,’” said a Word Banishment spokesman who was “chillaxin’” for the holidays. “‘In these economic times’, purging our language of ‘toxic assets’ is a ’stimulus’ effort that’s ‘too big to fail.’”
Former LSSU Public Relations Director Bill Rabe and friends created “word banishment” in 1975 at a New Year’s Eve party and released the first list on New Year’s Day. Since then, LSSU has received tens of thousands of nominations for the list, which includes words and phrases from marketing, media, education, technology and more.
Word-watchers may check the alphabetical “complete list” on the website before making their submissions.
For the 2010 list, read on:
SHOVEL-READY
“Apparently, the generally accepted definition of this phrase is to imply that a project has been completely designed and all that is left to do is to implement it…however, when something dies, it, too, is shovel-ready for burial and so I get confused about the meaning. I would suggest that we just say the project is ready to implement.” – Jerry Redington, Keosauqua, Iowa.
“A relatively new term already overused by media and politicians. Bury this term, please.” – Pat Batcheller, Southgate, Mich.
“Do I really need a reason? Well, if so how about this: I just saw it in tandem with ‘cyber-ready’ and nearly choked on my coffee. It’s starting the ‘-ready’ jargon. Makes me ‘vacation-ready.’” – Karen Hill, Ann Arbor, Mich.
“Stick a shovel in it. It’s done.” – Joe Grimm, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
TRANSPARENT/TRANSPARENCY
“I can see clearly that this is the new buzzword for the year.” — Joann Eschenburg, Clinton Twp., Mich.
“In the lexicon of the political arena, this word is supposed to mean obvious or easily understood. In reality, political transparency is more invisible than obvious!” — Deb Larson, Bellaire, Mich.
“I just don’t see it.” – Joe Grimm, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
CZAR
Long used by the media as a metaphor for positions of high authority, including “baseball czar” Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, appointed by team owners as commissioner-for-life in 1919. U.S. president Woodrow Wilson had an “industry czar” during World War I. Lesser-known “czar” roles in government during the last 100 years include: censorship, housing and oil czars in 1941; rubber czar in 1942; patronage czar (1945); clean-up (1952); missile (1954); inflation (1971); e-commerce (1998); bioethics, faith-based and reading czars (2001); bird flu (2004); democracy (2005); abstinence and birth control czars (2006); and weatherization czar (2008).
George W. Bush appointed 47 people to 35 “czar” jobs; Pres. Obama, eight appointments to 38 positions.
“First it was a ‘drug czar’ [banished in 1990]. This year gave us a ‘car czar.’ What’s next? A ‘banished words czar’?” — Michael F. Raczko, Swanton, Ohio.
“We have appointed a czar of such-and-such; clearly that’s better than a ‘leader,’ ‘coordinator’ or ‘director’! — Derek Lawrence, Thunder Bay, Ont.
“The president has been handing these “czar” positions out like party favors.” – Scott Lassiter, Houston, Tex.
TWEET
And all of its variations…tweetaholic, retweet, twitterhea, twitterature, twittersphere…
“People tweet and retweet and I just heard the word ‘tweet’ so many times it lost all meaning.” – Ricardo, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
Mikhail Swift of Hillman, Mich. says the tweeting is “pointless…yet has somehow managed to take the nation by storm. I’m tired of hearing about celebrity X’s new tweet, and how great of a tweeter he or she is.”
“I don’t know a single non-celebrity who actually uses it,” says Alex Thompson of Sault St. Marie, Mich.
Jay Brazier of Williamston, Mich. says she supposes that tweeters might be “twits.”
APP
“Must we b sbjct to yt another abrv? Why does the English language have to fit on a two-inch screen? I hate the sound of it. I think I’ll listen to a symph on the rad.” — Edward R. Bolt, Grand Rapids, Mich.
“Is there an ‘app’ for making this annoying word go away? Why can’t we just call them ‘programs’ again?” – Kuahmel Allah, Los Angeles, Calif.
SEXTING
Sending sexually explicit pictures and text messages through the cell phone.
“Any dangerous new trend that also happens to have a clever mash-up of words, involves teens, and gets television talk show hosts interested must be banished.” – Ishmael Daro, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada.
FRIEND AS A VERB
Came into popularity through social networking websites. You add someone to your network by “friending” them, or remove them by “unfriending” them.
“I’m certainly as much of a Facebook addict as the next person, but I’m getting a little weary of ‘friending’ people and being ‘friended’ by them. My daughter talks of ’sending friend requests,’ which doesn’t rankle me as much, so maybe we should all take her lead.” – John Wetterholt, Crystal Lake, Ill.
“‘Befriend’ is much more pleasant to the human ear and a perfectly useful word in the dictionary.” – Kevin K., Morris, Okla.
TEACHABLE MOMENT
What might otherwise be known as ‘a lesson.’
“It’s a condescending substitute for ‘opportunity to make a point,’” says Eric Rosenquist of College Station, Tex.
“If everything’s a ‘teachable moment,’ we should all have teaching credentials, including the guy at the bar who likes to fight after one shot too many.” – Kuahmel Allah, Los Angeles, Calif.
“This phrase is used to describe everything from potty-training to politics. It’s time to vote it out!” – Jodi, Youngstown, Ohio.
IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES….
Nominations concerning the economy started rolling in as the 2009 list was being put together last year, i.e. “bailout.” They kept coming this year, in these trouble economic times. ” South Park ” warned us about what would happen if we angered The Economy.
“Overused and redundant. Aren’t ALL times ‘these economic times’?” — Barb Stutesman, Three Rivers, Mich.
“In this economy, we can’t afford to be wasteful…In this economy, we all need some security…In this economy, frogs could start falling from the sky…In this economy, blah blah blah… Overused for everything from trying to market products as inexpensive to simply explaining any and all behavior during the recession.” – Mark, Milwaukee, Wisc.
“When someone prefaces a statement with ‘in this economic climate,’ its starts to sound like a sales pitch, or just an excuse on which to blame every problem. And if a letter or e-mail message from your employer starts with this phrase, usually it means you’re not getting a raise this year.” – Dominic, Seattle, Wash.
STIMULUS
“Everything in the news is about the stimulus packages…it is no longer a grant, it’s stimulus money, stimulus checks, etc. I think it is just being over-used.” Teri Heikkila, Rudyard, Mich.
“Overused by companies to advertise a promotion.” – David Willis, Houston, Tex.
“What next, can I go down to the local bar and down a few drinks and call it a stimulus package?” – Richard Brown, Portland, Ore.
TOXIC ASSETS
We think we’re going to be sick.
“Whatever happened to simply ‘bad stocks,’ ‘debts,’ or ‘loans’?” — Monty Heidenreich, Homewood, Ill.
“What a wretched term!” Lee Freedman, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
TOO BIG TO FAIL
“Just for the record, nothing’s too big to fail unless the government lets it.” Claire Shefchik, Brooklyn, NY.
“Does such a thing exist? We’ll never know if a company is too big to fail, unless somehow it does fail, and then it will no longer be too big to fail. Make it stop!” – Holli, Raleigh, NC.
BROMANCE
“Have we really reached the point where being friends has to be described in a pseudo-romantic context? Just stop it already!” — Greg Zagorski, Washington, D.C.
“I am sick of combined words the media creates to make them sound catchier. Frenemies? Bromances? Blogorrhea? I’m going to scream!” – Kaylynn, Alberta, Canada.
CHILLAXIN’
Nominated for several years. We couldn’t chill about it anymore.
“Heard everywhere from MTV to ESPN to CNN. A bothersome term that seeks to combine chillin’ with relaxin’ makes me want to be ‘axin’ this word.” – Tammy, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
“A made-up word used by annoying Gen-Yers.” – Chris Jensen, Fond du Lac, Wisc.
“Horrifying overuse, even in face-to-face conversation… It should receive bonus points for its ability to exhort the opposite reaction from the receiver.” – Bret Bledsoe, Cincinnati, Ohio.
OBAMA-prefix or roots?
The LSSU Word Banishment Committee held out hope that folks would want to Obama-ban Obama-structions, but were surprised that no one Obama-nominated any, such as these compiled by the Oxford Dictionary in 2009: Obamanomics, Obamanation, Obamafication, Obamacare, Obamalicious, Obamaland….We say Obamanough already.
Posted: December 30th, 2009 under Banished 2010.
Comments: 470
Comments
Comment from Kurt Benbenek
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:14 am
Another great list and as always, right on the money! Luckily I haven’t found myself using any of 2010’s banished words and phrases, although I must admit I think the word “bromance” is hilarious in sort of an etymologically-weird way. Thanks and see you in 2011.
Comment from Fred Svoboda
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:18 am
I would keep “friend” as a verb only if Facebook allowed me to “enemy” someone. Now that I think a little more about it, off with both of their heads!
Comment from John Marshall
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:02 am
I’m getting sick of the phrase ” The American people ” in use by everyone,both sides. Dem or Republican, talking heads ect. They invoke this rather than use the word “public”. Maybe because it seems patriotic or carries more weight. It rankles me because they assume their opinion is mine when they say” The American people want this !” And it couldnt be farther from the truth.
Comment from John Flood
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:25 am
Please consider banishing the words ‘icon’ and ‘iconic’! I’ve never seen a word so over used as to diminish its value completely. Seems like every celebrity, car and even buildings are iconic. Whew! Thanks and keep up the good work, I’m going to add a link from my website to your list of banished words.
Regards for 2010,
John Flood
Co. Wicklow
Ireland
Comment from Michael
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:54 am
I would agree with the banishment of all the words in this list except for “app”. This is a useful abbreviation which was around for years before its overuse by Apple and the iPhone crowd.
Comment from Pat B
Time: December 31, 2009, 8:39 am
How about “transitions”? Nothing simply changes or moves anymore.
Comment from Matt Nolan
Time: December 31, 2009, 8:55 am
I think the word “unprecedented” should be added to the list. Obama uses this word over and over. Sometimes even more than once in a single sentence. The number of times unprecedented has been used by The White House is unprecedented. The teleprompter need to come up with a new word for Obama to read.
Comment from Jacques Viljoen
Time: December 31, 2009, 8:56 am
What about “OMG”? Really VERY old, never mind all the rest. Happy 2010! JV.
Comment from Dan Smith
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:12 am
Bravo Lake Superior University! I just read your list of banished words on a morning news show; I hate buzz words! Hey, maybe we can banish “buzz word” as well.
Comment from pr
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:19 am
IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES you’re not going to get what you want, and I’ve discovered a wonderful all-purpose excuse to use in an attempt to deflect the blame from myself.
Nothing really new, though, except the prevalence.
Way back when there was a TV commercial with a couple of codgers were watching the town parade, and no matter what happened good or bad one of them would say, “it’s the economy.” A large number of young people when asked would say that they’ve spent their whole lives in a recession.
“Shovel ready” has an interesting smell of class distinction. It means that the project has been deemed in a state suitable to occupy the time of large numbers of unskilled rabble.
Comment from Kingery Clingenpeel
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:21 am
Let’s add “Bittertweet” to the banned word list? LOL
Comment from Eric
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:22 am
You really missed a big one: “unprecedented”
If we hear President Obama say it one more time we’ll all scream. Until, of course, his “unprecedented” defeat in 2012.
Comment from Jen K
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:27 am
I gotta keep “Chillaxin”, My 17 yr old daughter says it and it cracks me up (thankfully she doesn’t over use it!). What DOES need to GO is “At the end of the day”. I HATE THAT. really. I do. Oh…and let’s not let “Could you add a little color to that” live a minute longer either!! I love this list…what fun. Happy and prosperous 2010 everyone!
Comment from wardlaw
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:46 am
what about apples to apples, heard that a million times
Comment from Cat
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:56 am
Great list! I would’ve liked to see “saga” banished, though. When a word that originally meant epic tales of Scandinavian gods and heroes is used to refer to things as utterly banal as Twilight and Tiger Woods, banishment is imminent.
Comment from Kathleen Tikkanen
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:16 am
Please, please, please add the phrase “low-hanging fruit” to next year’s list! For some idiotic reason business leaders seem to think the phrase means picking the best first. What these brainless wonders do not understand is that the low hanging fruit on a fruit bearing bush or tree is the first to be defecated on by wild animals, thus making the fruit unusable for human consumption. The best fruits are nearly always on the south and near the top of any fruit bearing bush or tree.
Comment from W. Floyd
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:18 am
Pres Obama uses ‘a range of xxxx’ where xxxx is often ‘options’, and now all his people use ‘range’ of this and that too. Media is picking it up.
For a while the phrase ‘at the same time’ has been common and becoming more so.
In converation for a longer while, I have been hearing people make a point and then immediately contridict themselves, by saying things such as “I think global warming is real, howeven it was very cold last week.”
Finally, I cannot believe how ‘disrespect’ as a verb is growing in use.
Comment from Tim
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:27 am
“Shovel ready” should be taken in context.
For example: That horse stall has not been cleaned in a week and is now “shovel ready.”
I see little difference in the farmyard and political use of the term.
Comment from Denis Michael Reidy
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:41 am
You’ve a tough job separating out cultural disfavor from some obvious political agendas. A job well done! And I agree with County Wicklow, “icon” used in place of “typical” really should have been on this year’s list. Maybe next year?
Comment from Denis Michael Reidy
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:48 am
Ahhh, you flagged “icon” last year! I gues that just shows how caught up I am!
Comment from chris
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:53 am
I think the word “cusp” should be on the list also. What ever happened to using the good old fashion words of “verge” or “on the edge” or even “about to”. I swear, EVERYTHING has to be so politically correct… I’m on the cusp of screaming… I also agree with OMG being on the list. Along with replacing “you” with the letter U or “are” with R and using numbers in place of L3TT3RS 4ND WH4T N0T. Its getting assinine.
Comment from Ric Reyes
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:56 am
I love you. Stand up for our language!
Comment from Mark Miller
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:57 am
With regards to “Czar” - note the irony: The so-called “beacon of liberty and leader of the free world” (us … uh… U.S.) habitually appoints persons to positions named after old Russian dictators (known more for despotism and oppression).
With regards to “Stimulus” - Doesn’t that come in a little blue pill?
Comment from chris
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:57 am
Oh ya, I almost forgot. What the heck is a “bollywood”?? What happened to hollywood and where did it go?
Comment from Kenneth Miller
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:03 am
OK, add:
When Push Comes to Shove….
That being said….
At the end of the day…
Comment from Bonnie
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:08 am
I think this is beyond ridiculous, whatever happened to freedom of speech?
Comment from Linda
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:10 am
How about “to be honest with you”; “that said”; “exact same”; “if you will”…
Comment from John
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:18 am
“at the end of the day” Man I hate that one
Comment from Paolo
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:33 am
In the sports context, I hate that the word “Commit” has apparently become a noun. When a recruit decides to go to a particular school, he doesn’t just commit to attend the school, he becomes A COMMIT; as in, Michigan “Commits” attended the game, or, MSU gets a new “Commit” from the state of Ohio.
Comment from Ray Aragon
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:38 am
Okay, so maybe I missed it from last year,…
What about “going rogue” and all of its iterations? This should be the first word that should be banned for being overused and over insinuated by one person.
You got Maverick last year which was great but this one word is sticking around and misbehaving: as if the very word (rogue), was rogue.
Comment from Chris Arceneaux
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:39 am
The dumbest use of words I have ever heard is “My bad”! It should be “my mistake”, saying “My bad” just make the person saying it sound like a moron!
Comment from Becky
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:49 am
Can we stop calling it a “bump” whenever someone is pregnant?
Comment from Caleb Moorhead
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:54 am
I must say, this certainly is a feature of Lake Superior State University that makes me the most proud of my school. Thanks you guys!
Comment from StewartIII
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:56 am
ChickaBOOMer: Bury “Shovel-Ready”
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2009/12/bury-shovel-ready.html
Comment from Richard B. Johnson
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:07 pm
Your entire list is excellent but I am surprised that some words and phrases have not found there way onto the list. “To weigh in” simply cannot wait another year and should be added immediately to the 2010 list. Also please add the folowing words and phrases–conflicted, I’m good, a good read, nuanced, parse, epiphany, reprise, quintessentially, between a rock and a hard place, judgmental, a cautionary tale and inclement weather.
It is insuferrable to read one’s newspapter or open any page of a Newsweek or Time and find these words used ad nauseum. I believe the editors of the Economist must keep your word list on hand as one scarcely ever finds such words used in that publication. Editors should program their writers’ word processors to highlight such words and oblige their writers to use some better word or phrase or else refuse to publish such noxious prose.
Comment from Marie Johnson
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:10 pm
The more I think about it, the more we often resemble a herd (I think that’s what we call them) of sheep. Just follow the lead guy; whatever he says or thinks must be right or cool (maybe banish that word)!
Comment from George
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:17 pm
Why don’t you add the phrase “a perfect storm”. I heard it used to describe every cosmic event including why a cake recipe failed
Comment from Joseph Jaeger
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:18 pm
You forgot to add the phrase: “Let me be clear”
Comment from MK
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:19 pm
Dear LSU,
Frankly, what tires me to no end are writers that prefer making up words to using a Thesaurus. In that spirit, let me suggest that we toss the following words and phrases:
“shocking,”
“conspiracy theorist” [a phrase used by the mainstream media for any report that they did not write from a press release]
“BRING IT, brought it, bringing it,”
“unputdownable” (what’s wrong with mesmerizing, addicting…etc.),
“never before disclosed” (that is assumed if it is news)
Obama-anything
“terrorist, terrorism, terroristic” etc. This word is used to modify everything these days
“War on ________” hate to tell you Washington, but those of us who read history
KNOW that you have to create WARs to access that travel worn loophole in the Constitution
“the most, highest, largest, single largest, pick a superlative” IN HISTORY –this phrase appears to used when the reporter has not bothered to look up the actual numbers for the “large” quantity being mentioned
Finally, a plea to employers everywhere, hire older people who had decent educations that included logic, vocabulary and rhetoric. Their copy reflects wisdom and deeper dimensions that the copy written by 20-something males to write your copy. Try hiring who mistake tired fraternity and sports cliches for actual taglines/slogans.
MK
Comment from Forrest Slater, Jr.
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:23 pm
The Queen, and lexicographers everywhere, are grateful for your valiant efforts to stave off the Huns!!!
Comment from Tony
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:27 pm
“Staycation” just about made me gag.
Comment from Philip
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:29 pm
What the hell?! Let me get this straight, these people actually are encouraging the ban of words? Um, hasn’t anyone read the Constitution? People can talk however they want! Nobody, not some uppity University, that nobody has ever heard of. Not, all the news sites that think this is remotely newsworthy (it’s not). As for the particular words that are being banned: WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURY. It’s called slang. Look it up! Oh and since it annoys you so much: TWEET TWEET TWEET TWEET TWEET.
Comment from Richard Dermody
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:32 pm
Please let’s ban “WTF”. I never use such language but reading the abbreviation makes you say it in your mind. Seeing people use it online as casually as they would “wassup?” (another, lesser piece of evidence that the fall of western civilization has arrived) disheartens me. I immediately take anyone using this term less seriously (eg. Keith Oldermann)…
Comment from Don Brown
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:34 pm
What about “Give it up for - “. I hear this constantly on TV shows.
Comment from Jeff Faulk
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:37 pm
For God’s sake get rid of the word “FAIL” it is the single most annoying word every made.
Comment from Mark E. Ross
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:46 pm
My list would include: I personally and at the end of the day.
Comment from G
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:49 pm
Why banish any words ever? I thought this was America…Land of the Free…Freedom of Speech?
Comment from Mark Taylor
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:50 pm
App — Really? Non-trivial programs have been called “applications” for decades, and the abbreviated form “app” has been in common use almost as long. Maybe the word is just finally hitting the mainstream (non-techie) consciousness (thanks to “app stores”), but I wouldn’t call it an overused or inappropriately used word. This one seems to be a bit of a stretch; it’s neither a recently-coined word nor a buzzword/catchphrase.
Comment from Patty
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:53 pm
How about “- bring to the table” as in “What can you ‘bring to the table’? Or the word “appropriate” as in, “I don’t think your actions are ‘appropriate’”.
Comment from Roger Jones
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:55 pm
Please consider adding two aggravating words used to excess by Washington politicians. Words they use to start off a response to a reporters question - “Look” and “Listen”. That’s very condescending, and hasn’t been said to me since I was 8 when my Mom was scolding me or really trying to get my attention. The other over-used words used by politicians are - “At the end of the day”…..
Comment from Becky G. Compton
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:59 pm
Thanks for this wonderful list of words we, the public, are sick and tired of. I apologize to my late father for ending a sentence with a preposition, as he was an English teacher. His pet peeve was turning nouns into verbs so he would heartily agree with banishing “friend” when used that way. A word that I truly dislike, and it may already be on a previous list, is “whatever.” I grit my teeth when I hear it used in a dismissive way. It is so very rude.
Comment from Stephanie Albrecht
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:05 pm
How ridiculous!!! I actually thought this article might have some substance and they might finally ban hateful words like retard/retarded and other ugly words that people use on a regular basis. Who’s gives a $h*t that they are banning words like “chillaxin” and “unfriended.” SERIOUSLY!?!? A University took the time to make this list!?!? So glad our future is wasting time on crap like this, instead of focusing on making an impact in the world!!!
Comment from Mark Riddell
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:09 pm
Great idea! — this is my first year reading your list. In my graduate studies I’ve done some rhetorical analysis of 2009 political speeches — maybe next time consider banning the multiple, obscure uses of “skyrocketing” and “decent” (when used to describe annything but in particular the quality of healthcare). Keep up the good work!
Comment from Janice
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:09 pm
OK, this is for news reporters: “shooting spree.” A person doesn’t go on a “shooting spree,” they go on a “shooting rampage,” or something like that. People who go shopping for a lot of things go on a “shopping spree.” “Spree” is a fun word, OK???
Comment from Brian Smith
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:11 pm
I really hoped to see “pay it forward” on this list. Overuse of this phrase sprung into prominence in the latter part of 2009, which may explain its absence.
Comment from M Phillips
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:13 pm
Funny how some of the most pervasive and unnecessary phrases escape notice each year. Just listen to any news/weather/sports person repeatedly abuse “right now” and “out there”, to the point that common folk — via osmosis — also pepper almost every sentence with this filler garbage!
You’d think people who are paid to speak would be a little more creative with their verbiage. Instead, they choose to add these worn out phrases (along with “these days” and “going on”) repeatedly, even if the sentence would be just fine without.
Comment from The One
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:14 pm
I’m glad they put “sexting” on this list. What’s more sad is we’ve used it to put teens on a public registry for stupid behavior. I know a few more sex offender-related words that need to be added to this list.
As an aside, Nancy Grace should be banned from running “tot mom” stories too!
Comment from Gene McManus
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:14 pm
The word “opticals”, used as a pretentious word for “pictures” or “images” by the media, surely should be on the list. “Opticals” are at best instruments used in enhancing the ability of a person to see, such as spectacles, telescopes and microscopes, not images on a TV screen.
Comment from J K
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:15 pm
PLEASE banish the word “Empathy.” Especially amongst scholars. It’s embarrassing when the people who are supposed to be the most educated can’t even use a very simple word correctly and insist on not only misusing it but overusing it.
Comment from rick
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:17 pm
How about”Are you kidding me”.This is said in response to almost any everyday statement.I am so sick of hearing it.Also how about”It is what it is”.What the hell else woud it be?
Comment from Mike McKee
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:17 pm
I find it interesting that the banned words are only those that came to prominence in the last year. Why not words that long ago expired and are still overused. Somehow I suspect a bit of elitism on the part of the committee who has decided to find fame for accomplishing nothing more than putting out this list.
I would like to find an app to ban this list and then tweet it to my bromances so that I can find some time to chillax.
Comment from Jenny Morehead
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:18 pm
PLEASE banish the word that has become a favorite with sports announcers-”athleticism”. It’s used as an adjective, noun, or filler when they don’t know what else to say.
Comment from Joe V
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:21 pm
Can we please add “Toyotathon” and “overage” to the list? I am so tired of hearing those words.
Comment from Chris G.
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:24 pm
I think this is hilarious for two reasons. The first is its futility. I cannot begin to describe how pointless the act of declaring 15 mainstream terms to be “banned”, wheter figuritively or not, and removed from the vocabulary of 301 million people. Not only that, but this list was complied by an astonishingly obscure community college of no more then 3,000 students in a tiny town smack-dab in the center of the rust belt. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone whose even aware of this Lake Superior State University let alone somebody who will respect your hot-headed declarations.
My second reason is how revealing this article is about the character of college professors. One: they believe themselves to possess absolute, almost divine authority (otherwise they wouldn’t be publishing this list) over millions of unique individuals that they probably deem less logical and “enlightened” as them. Two: they are clearly targeting words either coined or accelerated in usage by the conservative movement (like the prefix of “czar”, “stimulus”, and “obama”) criticism of the Obama administration in a vain attempt to extinguish their impact.
The extent of which you people have your head so deeply up your *** is truly a medical miracle.
Comment from Daniel Mejak
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:25 pm
Ginormous is the word I personally banished from my world this year. The annoying combination of gigantic and enormous, it seems to refer to something even bigger than all other enormous or gigantic things. It pains me to hear it. Please consider banishing this one next year. Thank you for a great list!
Comment from HistoryTechDoc
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:25 pm
Fortunately for the English language it remains an evolving and ‘open-ended’ one, as opposed to French, German, and Dutch, et al., that are sometimes referred to as ‘closed-ended’. The French, Germans, and Dutch have scholarly committees that meet regularly to decide what words are acceptable to their personal taste, and therefore, can be printed in the next edition of their respective dictionaries, as well as excluding those that are taboo and sentenced to ‘word purgatory’. The French are most pron to discard English words that have no Latin roots. We get the French ‘ordinator’ in place of the English ‘computer’, etc. Happily, the French have long given up on finding a Franco substitute for the word ‘Football’. It helps the sale of their dictionaries as well by declaring any previous editions to be ‘obsolete’.
The Oxford Dictionary of the English Language committee meets regularly to decide those words, including the American variations along with other former British colonies, that are to be included in their ever evolving compendium of English words. However, not like the French, German, and Dutch, words are added according to how frequently they are found in print, especially newspapers. It is the regular usage of the published English words that gives them status, and not a click of self appointed authorities who determine what is added to their dictionary.
So it might be worthwhile for the LSSU to be a bit more patient and just let any new word concoctions, that do not suit their particular taste, die a natural death by not qualifying for regular usage or being noted as ‘archaic’.
Comment from wallace hendrickson
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:31 pm
Someone please add “At the end of the day”
Comment from Meredith
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:31 pm
I would like to see the phrase ‘push back’ added to this list. Where did this come from, and who decided the rest of us were suddenly too stupid to know what ‘resistance’ is, anyway??
Comment from Clay
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:34 pm
I find the whole concept of suggesting banned phrases to be pin-headed.
Comment from Robin
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:37 pm
Yes- let’s ban the word “toxic assets” and replace it with…what? When news outlets talk about the financial cris and the housing fiasco, they really need to stick an unfamiliar word in there, so I can understand what they are talking about even less than I already do. On a non-sarcastic note, I’ve had it to the gills with word Nazis trying to dictate to the rest of us how to use our language. We employ these words because they have familiar meanings that we can all relate to. If they had truly outlived their use, people wouldn’t be using them anymore. End of story.
Comment from Paul C
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:39 pm
“The American people”……. should be done away with in Political and Public speeches in the USA. We used to be “Americans”, that covered everybody (race, religion, creed, Gender, origin, etc.)
Does this mean we need to specify that it is people and not dogs, cats, fireflies, etc? Or are we seeing the politicians detach themselves from the public in the way ancient rulers used to do? Are they now a separate class and are speaking to us from on high? If so, they need a lesson in humility and we need to obfuscate the phrase “American People”
Comment from KC
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:50 pm
I was hoping the list would include “Going Green” or anything green for that matter. Green jobs, green living, green building, all of it. I’m cool with the concept but this has to be one of the most over used prefixes of all time.
Comment from Matthew Kirshner
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:51 pm
It’s about time we banned “hating/hating on/haters,” the trifecta of knee-jerk defensive stupidity used to quash any notion of meaningful negative criticism from our cultural dialogue.
Comment from Michelle
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:51 pm
If I hear Obama use ‘unprecedented’ one more time ( and believe me, I don’t listen to him that often ) I am going to scream! Why would he use an Angelo Mozillo and Bush word? He is so … ‘UNoriginal’ … see, without even trying, I made him a new word for 2010!
Comment from Emilie
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:54 pm
Seriously? If this is your idea of a pressing issue then you really need to learn how to pick your battles… Hey I agree, sometimes some of those things get annoying. But I don’t believe that pet peeves constitute for such drastic action. Put away all your drama and face the music! We have better things to be worried about.
Comment from Eric
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:56 pm
Ok some of the things on this list are over used yes, BUT many of the items on the list are part of societies everyday language. Telling PPL that common used words are ‘band’ will only intice them to use them more frequently, as most are used by the youth of our country. Which, lets face it, are rebellious when told they shouldn’t say/do certain things. IDK what makes these ‘list makers’ think they so special, that they can make a list of things that they dont think are politcally correct to be used in everyday life. I think this list is a waste of time. Tell me words in my VOCAB aren’t suitable, and I’ll say them to you EVRY chance I get.
Comment from Emilie
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:58 pm
Everybody should just be politically correct! Let’s censor everything because being annoyed is an inconvenience!
Comment from Rich Calabrese Jr
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:59 pm
I agree, the word App is bad, it’s laziness. We forgot about name combinations and abbreviations, such as J-Lo, Tom-Cat and Brad-Alina. All stupid names. Let’s start “thinking outside the box”. Ugh!!!
Comment from Dayna
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:00 pm
PLEASE make the korporate klan stop subjecting us to made-up clevernesses such as “Webinar” to indicate a seminar on the Internet.
While you’re at it, lobby for the banishment of “full-on.”
Thank you.
Comment from girl
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:04 pm
This is ridiculous and stupid. They supposedly “banish” these words but people are going to use it all the time! And reading some of these comments, and their suggestions for banning words are beyond dumb. Banning “OMG”, “WTF” and “FAIL” ? That’s really dumb. And the words that they already did ban were stupid too. App? I mean seriously? Chillaxin’? dont these people have better things to do? God you old people have you ever looked in the mirror and see who raised this generation? YOU! Now I’m going to say those words all I want: CHILLAXIN’ CHILLAXIN’ CHILLAXIN’ CHILLAXIN’ APP APP APP APP APP APP APP APP APP APP APP TWEET TWEET TWEET TWEET!!!!! **** all you haters 
Comment from Eric
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:06 pm
OH!! I almost forgot… ‘Toxic Assest’ and ‘Shovel-Ready’. These phrases that make pleanty of sence IMO. If something that is costing you money, and i mean COSTING you money, to the point were its killing profit, business, and/or cash flow, than ‘Toxic Assest’ is a damn good word. If anyone that knows the meaning of those words were to look read or hear them, im sure them would understand. ‘Shovel-Ready’ is another phrase that makes sence. Its a phrase that workers in their field know. EVRY job/career has their own lingo. Same can be said for the different age groups of our society. AND the regional differences in our country. So just cuz a group of ‘INTELLEGENT’ PPL make a list of words and phrases that ’should be band’, doesnt make these words and phrases any less suitable for the PPL in our country to use.
Comment from Michelle Reitman
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:10 pm
As someone who has been unemployed since the end of January, I have been “shovel ready” the whole year. I could also use a “stimulus” and am not “too big to fail”.
Comment from John Lake
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:14 pm
For 50 years we’ve had ‘moisturize’ (a word that I particularly hate) when moisten is the proper term for making something moist. Oh, don’t get me started…
Comment from Courtenay Cross
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:23 pm
One of the expressions which pains me is really an oxymoron:
Entertainment News (gag)
and the other?
Zero Tolerance when it is used in an elementary school.
Comment from Calvin
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:25 pm
Honestly I think this is a waste of time, and it’s not like people will stop using those words. Though I hate “chillax”. THAT IRRITATES THE HELL OUT OF ME. Though I don’t see what’s wrong with “app”.
Comment from Terry
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:25 pm
Seconding the motion for citing “AT THE END OF THE DAY” as both tedious and tiresome filler. How has this annoyance survived? PLEASE consider it for a prominent position on your next list (along with “on the ground” and excessive, painful use “again”).
Take a listen to the President and others repetitively saying “We won’t rest until we capture, solve, eradicate, prevent, etc. xxxx xxxxx xxxxx.”
This hackneyed expression is often presented just before reference is made to “…doing whatever it takes to assure us all that this corruption, violation, abuse, etc., won’t happen again.” Often followed by “on my watch”.
It’s understandable that unscripted speakers may benefit from meaningless fillers, but let’s not continue to load inane blather into the teleprompter!!!
President Obama can set a better example-this could be (gasp) a “teachable moment” for him and us.
Comment from Calvin
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:27 pm
By the way, I say Chris G. is spot on in his comment.
Comment from Deborah Robinson
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:27 pm
Let’s also ban the phrase: “that being said” … please!
Comment from Coretta Robinson
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:28 pm
Here’s a word that was left off the list “You Know, Right”. Please help me to understand the meaning of this phase. It is being used by more older adults than the younger ones. I “know” what? Do I “know what is “right”?
Comment from Grey
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:34 pm
I think along with “teachable moment” we should also do away with “coaching opportunity”. I used to work somewhere they used that - everything was a “coaching opportunity” which was really just an excuse to embarass a coworker.
Comment from ed jannett
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:35 pm
Please also ban “the folks”,”Hardworking Americans” and “under the bus”. These are Fox news favorites. I concur with the list and the idea of a “banned” list. I also went to a school on the shores of Lake Superior.
Comment from Charles Greenlee, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:42 pm
APP: Ban it! This is part of our deplorable tendency to shorten English to the point of absurdity. Here are other examples from the realm of commerce: “New Ointment X with antibacterial!” (Antibacterial what? This is technically not a “dangling modifier”, but it is a modifier that dangles, nonetheless.) “I’m a PC, and Software X was my idea!” (You’re a what? Shouldn’t the word “user” go in there somewhere?)
Comment from Jake
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:43 pm
Hey, chillax. No matter how hard you try to ban this list, people will still use the words. App, friend (as a verb), tweet, and sexting are all very common words because of the many personal online websites (facebook, myspace, twitter, etc..) Trying to ban stimulus is like trying to bury the most talked about political issue with it. You should think of words that actually insult people or can be used in a negative way instead of words that have just been changed to contain a new meaning.
And John Marshall, how about you leave the country if you dont support THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. These are very tough times and that phrase is simply meant to keep us together.
Comment from Gary J. Hawk
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:44 pm
I feel fortunate. I have never heard or seen the banished words bromance and chillaxin’ used until reading about this list. Neither has my spellchecker.
Comment from Dallas
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:44 pm
absolutely, win win, it is what it is!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from denise Leora madre
Time: December 31, 2009, 2:44 pm
i must say i’ve never heard of this list, but my inner logophile is DELIGHTED to have read it.
great list! only, i always thought the word was “defriend” not “unfriend.” Defriend is a perfect foil to Befriend, whereas Unfriend sounds awkward, like it’s trying too hard.
i’m still gonna smile at “bromance” when i hear it, and i’ll probably find myself OMGing in the near future, but Kudos on a harmless and thought-provoking diversion for all the word geeks out there.
can’t wait till next year!
Comment from Dan S.
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:08 pm
“Literally” should be banned FOREVER, especially on TV and radio. Show hosts and narrators these days seem to have a sick obsession with overusing…and misusing it. I’d rather hear “the F-bomb” at this point.
Comment from Don Nelson
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:09 pm
There is one current phrase that I believe was coined by G.W. Bush that should be banned and it is a cloying insult to a hearer’s intelligence. The phrase is “On the ground” As if we didn’t know where events usually take place. As a statement of commitment it is also insulting.
Comment from R. Vine
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:13 pm
I really hoped to see “Major Overhaul” on the list this year.
Comment from Leslie
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:20 pm
They left out overused “intel” in any context other than the company.
Comment from Mike
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:25 pm
Please add “metrics” to next year’s list! I am sick of hearing management puppets use that term for business parameters!!! Another one is “casual overtime”, which our management made up for overtime they don’t want to pay us for! It’s not like we get to go fishing or something!!!
Comment from burk
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:31 pm
How ’bout ginormous and “in the wheelhouse”?
Comment from Ken
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:41 pm
I say get rid of LOL. LOL! Why? Because 99% of the time, the person typing it isn’t really laughing out loud. It’s over-used, deceiving, and just useless. LOL!
Comment from Bill
Time: December 31, 2009, 3:50 pm
Ban the word “like” and the little phrase “you know”. I am sick of like hearing you know athletes repeat these you know words like over and over again you know, like every second or you know third word they you know say. Irritating, irritating, irritating. I just want to scream when they are talking and I am trying to figure out what it is they just said. It really dumbs them down a lot.
Comment from Cheryl
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:09 pm
Why give a crap on other peoples grammer.I mean really its there life let them live it with words they make up. Yall that are with tha vote to ban words must be tha dumbest people on tha planet and you need to “chillaxe”.
Comment from April Harlow
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:11 pm
“HAVING SAID THAT”………….
“OH, my god” (putting the emphasis on OH, instead of)
“OH, MY GOD”
Comment from Chris M.
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:18 pm
To this list I would like to add: man-cave, “economic crisis”, and blogosphere. First off, it’s not a man-cave, it’s a garage. Second, we had an even bigger “economic crisis” in the 1920s–they called it “The Great Depression”. And I don’t even want to attempt to figure out where the term blogosphere came from–it’s as if someone, somwhere decided that adding the name of a three-dimensional object to the end of any word made it a universe unto itself. Sound halfway normal and call it online blogs–otherwise, you sound like you’re 40 and living in your parents’ basement watching season after season of Star Trek.
Comment from bobo
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:19 pm
“this economy”
Comment from Diane
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:21 pm
I agree with Meredith: “Pushback” seems to be a favorite with politicians, reporters, t.v. commentators. Overused and unnecessary.
Business people tend to favor “Reached Out” in place of “Contacted.” As in “I reached out to 20 people by phone today.” How about “I called 20 people today?”
Comment from Simon Jefferson
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:34 pm
How about “I know, right?” This is especially annoying.
Comment from Ip Freely
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:36 pm
You people need to read 1984 by George Orwell. To banish part of speech be it slang or otherwise is to destroy a culture, culture grows within us as a nation. Stop culture bashing it is who we are.
Comment from Steve N
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:39 pm
Rick, Are you kidding me? Let me be clear! This is hilarious. Not only the actual choice of words, but the banner’s comments, AND also those from those who just don’t get it.
Freedom of speech. Hmmm Isn’t the banning notice also just that?
Time better spent - heard of humor?
RE: “APP” go to the former “PROG”
I think the whole discussion is an insult and an Obamanation.
I happen to like Baroccli !
RE: WTF Makes you say it in your head, eh? tsk, tsk, naughty, naughty! Well, stop saying that!
War on ____ = Republican ’spin’ Right MK?
Chris: Welcome to 2009 - Bollywood refers to the film industry in India. Ask around.
RE: Retarded
Hateful ?!? The spark timing is hateful…huh. Human development can be retarted, deal with the truth. Developmentally disables it a mouthful and an euphemism.
My sister is indeed retarded., it is sad, but she’s still retarded.
That reminds me to aks: Is there a euphemism for “euphemism”?
RE: Weather reports.
15 seconds of information SHOE-HORNED into a five minute segment.
Meredith, “Push-back” is not the same as “resistance”.
Hmmmm It seems the opposite of “word Nazis” are “Constitution Nazis”, eh?
The use of “American People” is intended to eliminate those who aren’t. Wink, wink.
Emilie, I leave the “pressing issues” to the Times and Herald.
I recommend “NEWS” … ain’t no such thing on TV.
Also _ALL WORDS_ out of the mouths of politicians.
Those who act as if they know everyting are annoying. Especially to those of us who do.
Cheers, Steve N.
Comment from Bob Wells
Time: December 31, 2009, 4:45 pm
I would like to add this overworked phrase to the list: “..make sure”… (frequently mispronounced, “make shore”). These words are often used by TV newscasters and appears to be a PROTUS favorite (for “shore”). Maybe next time?
Comment from Jumper
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:09 pm
There has been some scuttlebutt that it’s time to stop the overuse of “creepy.” Even after Dave Letterman’s year, I think this one will show up on the lists for banning next year, or the year after that. If its overuse doesn’t die out on its own.
Comment from Scott
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:12 pm
A good list for sure, but add “COMPREHENSIVE” to the list as soon as possible. Bush wore it out. Obama’s wearing it out again. Everytime I hear it I want to puke.
Comment from Lenny Y
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:14 pm
how about the “new” word: “BRAND”
Comment from Dale
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:28 pm
“Wait for it” - I’m tired of waiting for it to go away.
“Wartime President” - We’re not in a war. If this were wartime, every American would be feeling it, we’d be selling war bonds and having resource recycling and other volunteerism to help defeat the enemy and bring the war to a swift end. What we have now is US troops engaged in police actions. The last real wartime president was Eisenhower.
Comment from Louise
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:29 pm
” nO hOMO” Overused
Comment from Mark Peasley
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:37 pm
Am I the only person who’s sick to death of the overuse of “actually”? Actually, I’m afraid that its actual addition to your list would actually have no actual effect on my life, actually. Ack, ack, ackkkkk!!!…….
Those of you who are annoyed by this list should consider lightening up just a tad. Or go read something serious and important. That should make you feel better!
Comment from John, USN
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:40 pm
So from all I’ve read, all I see is the bickering of fools, the teachers of fools, and those that just don’t care. Honestly, if you’re spending enough time to determine what isn’t necessary in our daily speech, you’re not spending enough time being constructive and supporting this economy. If you really think that spending time contemplating the unnecessary words in our English language, you are wrong. While the rest of the US is working and the military is doing what they do best, doing what they’re told, you could be working too. I’m blessed to work in an Operations center in Afghanistan. I wish you all would not take these simple “slang” phrases so seriously. You take for granite all of what you have and don’t realize that you could be bettering yourself by learning, working, and helping others. If you don’t, this financial situation the United States is in will not get any better with us all bickering about the little things in life. Those that use these words should heed this as well, for we need you to stand in line just like the rest of us and fix the glory the United States name used to bear proudly.
John, STG2 USN
Comment from Kyle
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:49 pm
OOh, Jenny Morehead, I hate the word Athleticism too! But, for me, as a black male, I think it means, “This guy plays like a big black buck” be he black or otherwise. I see it as kind of racist. I mean, these are pro athletes. Aren’t they all athletic? Dumb. It’s horrible.
Comment from Kyle
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:51 pm
How about adding, “Really?” Overused rejoinder.
Comment from Helen
Time: December 31, 2009, 5:54 pm
Could someone PLEASE banish the use of “gate” after every real or imagined public intrigue? It’s been almost 40 years and still the news idiots trot it out at every opportunity.
Comment from Aubrey G.
Time: December 31, 2009, 6:19 pm
I love the word “chillax, chillaxin, chillaxed.” Why can’t you ban the oldies words that elderly people use not just words of our day?
Comment from Audrey C
Time: December 31, 2009, 6:21 pm
I wonder how many Americans could speak without saying “you know” every third word - not many, I imagine.
Comment from Suzanne
Time: December 31, 2009, 6:23 pm
Thank God someone banished “these economic times”. Talk about perpetuating a “gloom and doom” attitude. Repetitative phrases with negative connotations are the last thing we need during “these economic times”!
Comment from Matthew CZARnowsky
Time: December 31, 2009, 6:35 pm
Are you serious??? Words that should be banned???
First of all, my last name is Czarnowsky, CZARnowsky.
I’d rather my last name not become Nowsky…
Second, I think you are all idiots For hindering the expansion of the english Language. The First english forms, we would not be able to understand today, but thanks to the evolution of language, we speak english as we know now, and if making new words is considered wrong, there is no way that we will progress any farther. In my opinion, we should be encouraged for making words that make sense like the ones named in your list, and even bringing back words like CZAR.
-Matthew CZARnowsky
Comment from Laurie
Time: December 31, 2009, 6:47 pm
I would love to see the phrase “getting my hair did” added to this list. I die a little inside every time I hear it.
Comment from Stephen
Time: December 31, 2009, 6:53 pm
So disappointed not to see robust or allegedly on the list… 
Comment from JerryEveryday
Time: December 31, 2009, 6:55 pm
SWAGGER. I hate that word so much. If I could, I would KILL that word.
Comment from David Lauri
Time: December 31, 2009, 6:58 pm
Could we get rid of the hideous abbreviation “TV” and that abominable rump of a word “phone”? I mean, come on, we already have the perfectly good words “television” and “telephone.” Why must everything be shortened to fit on a small screen?
Oh, wait, these words became popular *before* everyone was carrying around small screens.
Yeah, good luck with trying to get people to stop using certain words. Good luck, also, getting people to know the difference between words such as “it’s” and “its.”
Comment from Melissa
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:08 pm
It’s always entertaining for me to find these kind of prescriptivist lists, as if language could be graded from ‘pure’ to ‘bastardized’. Such lists ALWAYS (and this one is no exception) take for granted the spectacular linguistic processes behind the creation of a neologism… let alone, their importance to discussions of our modern society.
Without the derivation of new words, how could we expect to have language at all? If we didn’t have ‘app’ and instead used ‘programs’ (as was suggested above), how the hell would one know if something like Windows Vista was being discussed or a new feature on someone’s personal electronic device? THERE’S A BIG DIFFERENCE, hence the birth of ‘application’ AKA ‘app’.
Similarly, if you find the above listed words to be a perversion of the English language, I’d say that it’s more a result of your bitterness towards the change of modern times than a few popular words.
Comment from ishmael daro
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:17 pm
I have eagerly read this list for the past few years and I’m always struck by some of the angry comments. They come in a few flavours and all of them seem to miss the light-hearted nature of the list.
Some people decide the Constitution is under attack and angrily denounce the fascists who are trying to censor free speech. Others choose to ignore the fact that the list is put together mostly through submissions and, instead, attack the latte-sipping college-educated elites who want to force a politically correct agenda down our throats. The remaining angry comments seem to come from those who actively (over)use the words in question and react violently to this realization.
There was an interesting article about overused catchphrases in Slate recently, written by Ron Rosenbaum, that covers similar territory.
LINK: http://www.slate.com/id/2240159/
Love the list. See you next year.
Comment from Gary
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:18 pm
“It is what it Is”
“climate change, global warming, global cooling”
Ban!
Comment from Mike
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:21 pm
How about adding, “GOING FORWARD” as in “this will be our policy going forward. Why not just say, “from now on.” Ughh!!
Comment from Brett
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:30 pm
Ugh. This list is absolutely perfect. There’s not one word I would take off (Bromance? Really?), especially app. (Gee, Apple, thanks for shoving it down our throats….)
Tweet? Come on. I now associate “tweet” with “tabloid” in my mind. Seriously.
Friend. As a verb. Because that makes so much sense.
Okay, just my two cents. I’m going to go chillax (ugh) and buy some more apps (UGH) while watching a show on Obamanomics (SAVE ME!!!). Oh, but not before I friend (God) someone on Facebook.
Comment from Thadius
Time: December 31, 2009, 7:43 pm
I think that half of the words being banned have a point to them. I find every word that helps shorten my sentences and get my point across faster to be a necessary word.
Reguardless of how lame or how much better the word program is over app. I like things that make my everyday texting, social networking and email’s faster and easier. If ya’ll want to waste more time typing out “proper” english when on a mobile device, be my guest.
But must you waste even more time making a list of words you dislike? Sounds Rather OCD to me.
Comment from Elizabeth
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:02 pm
Why are you people so conserned about banning words that may or may not have been around for centuries? ALL of you who argree to the lists like these should really take another look at our Constitution. I think a LOT of you are really forgetting about our Constitutional rights and why they were written. This is the 21st century and there is going to be a lot of new slang. SO THOSE WHO CONTINUE ONE AGREEING WITH THESE LIST NEEDS TO HAVE A REALITY CHECK! Have a happy new year!
Comment from Jaxspp
Time: December 31, 2009, 9:24 pm
The worst list ever. Who wrote it, the Republican National Committee?
Comment from mephisto
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:01 pm
They forgot “carbon credits” “carbon footprint” “green jobs” and other rubbish
Comment from Maggie Daugherty
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:09 pm
Two phrases have got to go:
1) take it to the next level (gag me)
2) in terms of…. EVERYTHING is “in terms of..” It’s interminable.
Comment from Stephen
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:11 pm
Oh tell me there are more banished words. How about, “you don’t get it,” “I don’t get it,” or at least banish “get it.”
Comment from Laura
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:12 pm
Fundamental
Comment from pr
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:22 pm
“Yes- let’s ban the word “toxic assets” and replace it with…what? ”
The assets are not toxic. One does not come to harm simply from coming in contact with it, owning it, or even eating it.
They are worthless assets. The problem is that at some time in the past some damn fool paid way too much for them and now has nothing to show for his investment.
Comment from Pat
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:22 pm
This is one of which I’m often guilty: “no problem” in place of “you’re welcome.” Also, could we ban the use of modifiers used as nouns and verbs? Example: “(Popular anti-itch creme) with anti-bacterial!” Anti-bacterial WHAT? It has to modify SOMETHING, else it makes no sense. And how about “(popular diet soft drink) tastes more like (it’s regular counterpart)!” More like than WHAT? Than another soft drink? Than water? ARGH!
Comment from Pat
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:24 pm
I agree that the word “app” is overused by the Ipod crowd. However, it is very useful to those of us who do programming, beta testing, etc. Since we were using it long before it became popular, I think we should be exempted from the ban. Just a thought!
Comment from Stephen
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:36 pm
One more, eclectic. Uuuuugh!
Comment from Pat
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:37 pm
To those of you who are concerned about the abrogation of our civil liberties with regard to freedom of speech - RELAX! YOU don’t have to give up your favorite lazy, overused parts of speech. Only an educated, erudite audience will appreciate and use the comments made in the list. Those who are interested in maintaining a well-groomed vocabulary will laugh, take note, and make appropriate adjustments to avoid the overused, hackneyed cliches cited on the list. The rest will get upset and then forget. The list is meant to spark thought, followed by debate over the absurdities of modern American English. And guess what - it worked!
Comment from Pat
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:41 pm
Dear Cheryl: I might not “give a crap” about other PEOPLE’S GRAMMAR. And I might not even care if you “CHILLAX.” However, I would like to know if you realize your errors when you see them in print?
Comment from Bob
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:49 pm
Still haven’t rejected “boots on the ground” and all its variations?
Comment from Pat
Time: December 31, 2009, 10:49 pm
And to John, USN: I take nothing for “granite,” except for the occasional faux-painted piece of decorative furniture. What I take for “granted” is that one will check one’s spelling and grammar BEFORE spilling toxic anger onto a site dedicated to correcting language errors!
Comment from David Blum
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:49 pm
How about “Really?…Really?” This was fun when I first heard it, but I’ve had enough…Really.
Comment from Terry Kane
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:49 pm
SHOVEL-READY
Adj: Intended by serious users to indicate a project that is ready to commence implementation, with particular regard to successful mounting of bureaucratic hurdles. Popular usage: indicating that the completed preparations for a project are, upon casual examination, most reminiscent of a pile of renewable, organic barnyard by-product.
Comment from Tina
Time: December 31, 2009, 11:50 pm
While you’re chillaxin, I thought I’d impart some Obama-rific, shovel-ready wisdom in this teachable moment to people I didn’t unfriend. In these economic times, it’s important to use your favorite apps for a number of purposes. You may further a bromance; engage in sexting for a little stimulus; or tweet your toxic a…ssets. This mission is too big to fail.
Comment from Pete
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:01 am
Has anyone suggested, “amazing”??? “awesome”?? Sick of those words.
Comment from Joe Dirt
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:28 am
Anything with “bility” at the end of it, thanks Bud Light. And let us not forget (DRUM ROLL) “It is what it is.” AHHHHHH!!!!
Comment from Alyssa Stephenson
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:36 am
What about the words “EPIC” or “FAIL”….or “AWKWARD” thats getting super old.
Comment from Melissa
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:45 am
I think “you guys” should be banned. My god, it’s getting to the point where some people, some tv shows, and even cartoons over use it. Some people can’t even finish a sentence without saying it 3 or more times. Besides, I don’t like being called a guy. Why in the hell would anyone refer to a woman, a girl, or a group of women/girls as “guys?” Give me a break.
Comment from Iain M.
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:47 am
Oh hey look, it’s like every single old English teacher in the United States got together and decided to stop the evolution of language, something that’s been going on since the beginning of speech.
If you can’t stand the fact that people use “tweeting” to refer to microblogging, or that people refer to a “bromantic” relationship in the context of a strong friendship, due to the fact that you’re so deeply rooted in the English language that you can’t evolve, I think you need to grow up.
I’ll take special note to use these words even more frequently when I’m around anyone who participated on this list, just to piss you all off.
Comment from Steve N
Time: January 1, 2010, 1:35 am
Doncha’ love it?
Yikes! I’m, like, really bummed out here. Speaking of, like, words and to paraphrase some of the, like, above… Take any on-line story with a comments section and you get,
“the bickering of fools” Got that right, John.
If you really think…you are wrong. HUH? Sorry John, you need to do a little proofreading.
Speaking of … take for granite…or is it … take for granted … (was that intentional, John?),
try: http://www.flixxy.com/spoiled-generation-comedy.htm
Of course, _EVERYONE_ not only reading this, but taking the time to comment here *IS* actually contributing to the economy. To use Louis CK’s description referenced in the above link… can you say: “non contributing ZERO”
Is “bettering yourself ” making comments here?
And ahh yes. Lest we forget: The name that the USA used to bear proudly. Grrrrr!
Did anyone mention “your” for “you’re”; “then” for “than” and visa-versa or “I’m like” instead of “I said”
This is too easy. I gotta’ stop following those Yahoo “news” links, or at least stooping to do this.
Cheers, Steve N. USN retired (especially of this type of stuff)
Comment from Nick
Time: January 1, 2010, 1:53 am
Hm…
Isn’t it surprising that 9 out of the 15 banned words here have directly to do with criticizing either the president or Congress? Makes you think…
Comment from Scott
Time: January 1, 2010, 2:04 am
How about:
Txt spk (text speak)
Teabagging
Conservative
Sarah Palin
Comment from marshall
Time: January 1, 2010, 2:25 am
“It is what it is” Never before have so many said so little with such emphasis.
Comment from Player_16
Time: January 1, 2010, 7:56 am
Hit the ground running. Please; I know an employer would like someone with a bit of knowledge and experience with very little -if any- training or hand-holding but that statement just sounds lazy and at the same time trying to make it sound exciting.
Comment from br
Time: January 1, 2010, 8:15 am
What about all of the politicians and talk show commentators saying, “Look, ….” before any point they try to make.
It drives me absolutely crazy. Banish it.
Comment from Ry
Time: January 1, 2010, 8:16 am
Debating Semantic’s ? Really? How about we ban funding of schools and students. Who waste time and resources coming up with this crap! Banning words how stupid!
Comment from Ry
Time: January 1, 2010, 8:23 am
Oh BTW! We are in America! You want to use the Queen’s English go to England! Let’s face it american’s don’t speak the queen’s english anymore. We speak American English, or just American. We have incorporated word’s and phrase’s from just about every language on the planet. Just take a trip to Star Bucks or Taco Bell if you don’t believe me…..
Comment from Debbie
Time: January 1, 2010, 8:24 am
After reading some of the comments here, I suggest that instructions on how to use a dictionary and/or thesaurus is more urgent than banning words and phrases that reflect our culture. Poor spelling and grammar reflect a deficient education by inferior educators and/or students who are too lazy to care. Instead of banning words and phrases, maybe educators should be emphasizing CORRECT spelling and usage by requiring students to pick up a dictionary and/or a thesaurus whenever they misuse a word or phrase. Many of these words and phrases on the list are perpetuated by the news media, which used to be the bastion of correct spelling and grammar, but now has little credibility in CONTENT, as well as CORRECT SPELLING and USAGE.
Comment from PS
Time: January 1, 2010, 8:40 am
Band the phrase, “At the end of the day” NOW!
Comment from Leah
Time: January 1, 2010, 8:54 am
To Philip, Bonnie, G and maybe a couple of others: the Constitution and First Amendment have nothing to do with this list. To suggest that certain words and phrases are overused, in no way encroaches on freedom of speech.
To girl, Chris G, Emilie and Stephanie: get a sense of humor. Your whining that this list is a waste of time or an insult to those who may rely on these terms simply because they have become commonplace, suggests that you allowed yourself to take the time to read it through, and that it apparently stung as it hit its intended mark.
John, USN: I really hate to nit-pick on a member of the military, but “take for granite”??? Edit, man, edit.
And to Cheryl and Elizabeth: go back to grammar school and learn how to spell and use punctuation before you hit the “submit” button.
In closing, as this comment area was intended as a means for readers to contribute their own additions to the list, I’d like to suggest “heighten” and “spot on”. I’m sure the first term likely appeared on this list many years ago, but it just came barreling back into use in conjunction with “security” after the recent bombing attempt, and is still being used in place of “increase”, “raise”, and a number of other suitable synonyms. And the other phrase is seemingly tossed about by those who would like to appear either worldly or erudite. They are mistaken.
Oh, and Pat, I totally agree with regards to “anti-bacterial”; even worse is its shortened form “anti-bac” which I had thrown at me several times during a conversation with a sales clerk at Bath and Body Works. Kept me from ever darkening their door again.
Comment from HistoryTechDoc
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:03 am
Living in lower Michigan for about 40 years, I must admit that I have never heard of LSSU before. So as much as I disagree with any group trying to act as the ‘Gatekeeper’ for the English language, I must admit that this academic ‘trick’ has brought LSSU a good deal of free promotion on an internationla scale.
Indeed, Lake Superior State University and other Upper Peninsula universities like Finlandia, Michigan Tech et al. do deserve more financial support in carrying on their important work.
Good luck to you, but I do hope that no one takes such attempts to act as ‘word cops’ seriously. At least you can have a wider choice of which NFL football team you want to root for, i.e. the Minnesota Vikings or the Green Bay Packers until the Detroit Lions get their act together and start winning more games.
Enjoy the snow!
Comment from Webster Ranger
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:18 am
A living language changes. Get used to it. According to Richard Lederer, we have something like 685,000 words in the latest OED, representing only 15% of all English words that have existed in history. The creation of new words and, from this list, cliches (figurative language creations that became popular expressions) is how the language grows–that and “repurposing” existing words and phrases. Slang? Neologisms? Evidence of the creative playfulness of native English speakers. The supporters of word-banishment lists would have persecuted Shakespeare mercilessly. Abbreves? Evidence of our ancient practice of shortening and simplifying language for daily use. Study the history of TAXI, for example. Really–concentrate more on editing the quality of your own language use than attacking “pet-peeve” words and phrases. Every English speaker owns this language as much as anybody else does, and can fashion the language to suit self. If anyone fails to communicate cleqarly in English, let that one learn from the experience to speak and write more clearly.
Comment from Jaime Delevere
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:19 am
How about banishing “oh My god, my bad and you go girl.”
Comment from John
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:27 am
“Transparent” should have been banned long, long ago. “Transparent” means you can see through it. When people talk about more “transparency” in government (for example) they want to see everything, all the details, all the substance there. They don’t want to see right through transactions that remain invisible. “Transparent” is a misnomer. Banish it.
Comment from Leah
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:30 am
Here’s another one: “journal” as a verb! Ugh.
Comment from Kayne Ferrier
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:43 am
I wish you could get people to stop ending their sentences with “so…” as in “I have to work today so…” “You have a charge on your account so…” So what?
My husband, on the other hand, wants people to stop starting their sentences with so. I guess we are just tired of its inappropriate overuse.
Comment from Fred Dixon, New Market MD
Time: January 1, 2010, 10:09 am
This list “plays its position as well as anybody else in the league”…. Actually, it is great. In the words of Mark Twain, “eschew surplusage”!
Comment from mike l
Time: January 1, 2010, 10:12 am
Banish “QUEEN’S ENGLISH” !!!! Do we really have a queen? What if QEII dies and then we have a King? Afterthought…preemptively banish “KING’S ENGLISH” too!!! Plain old “AMERICAN ENGLISH” is good enough for me in the states (my apologies to Canada, Central and SOuth America).
Comment from Yankee
Time: January 1, 2010, 10:14 am
Arguably, the word “arguably” is like nails on a blackboard to me. Of all the asinine terms, arguably has gotta be the worst. Enjoyed all the above, and agree with most of you.
Comment from Peter
Time: January 1, 2010, 10:20 am
How about banning “at this (that) point in time?”
What’s wrong with: “now,” “presently,” “then” or “when?”
Comment from Kurt Reid
Time: January 1, 2010, 10:26 am
Please put “Systemic Risk” on next year’s list.
Kurt Reid, Morganton, NC
Comment from Angelica
Time: January 1, 2010, 10:28 am
Isn’t the term “chillaxin” kind of redundant? If you’re “chillin” aren’t you “relaxin”? I’ve hated this term since the first time I heard it and to me it’s the equivalent of someone scratching their fingernails on a chalkboard! Plus, didn’t the word “chillin” go out in the ’90s?!
Comment from Carole Pelttari
Time: January 1, 2010, 10:45 am
Nice job!
But, as an education prof, I would like to reserve the right to use “teachable moment” to encourage teacher candidates to watch for an individual student’s aha moment.
The overuse of the phrase can certainly be banished, though!
Comment from R Kindy
Time: January 1, 2010, 10:46 am
My nominations:
“Going forward” or “the way forward”
Stakeholders
Caveat
Ubiquitous
and Obama’s “Make no mistake…”
Comment from Al Howard
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:03 am
One expression, used constantly by newscasters, is “at the end of the day.” Suddenly, as of 2009, there was no other way to characterize finality. If I never hear that expression again, I won’t be disappointed.
Comment from pappapol
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:04 am
After reading all the comments, it is evident that many readers fail to see the humor in this exercise and believe that someone could actually ban words
Get real (on the list?)!
This is merely a way to “vent” (another list entry?).
Here are a few more candidates for expurgation:
> long story short
>playdate
>that is so (yesterday, last year, last century, etc.)
>uber (-mensch, -celebrity, etc.)
>inside the beltway
>boots on the ground
Thanks for the fun and games. At the end of the day after
a perfect storm it is good to have level playing field again.
Lighten up!
Comment from Tracy Johnson
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:05 am
How about this one? “At the end of the day…” I could just vomit
Comment from Bibb Underwood
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:08 am
Yesterday, a friend sent me the following. It seems appropriate to post it here.
“The care of the national language is at all times a sacred trust and a most important privilege of the higher orders of society. Every man of education should make it the object of his unceasing concern to preserve the language pure and entire, to speak it, so far as in his power, in all its beauty and perfection… A nation whose language becomes rude and barbarous, must be on the brink of barbarism in everything else. A nation which allows her language to go to ruin, is parting with the last half of her intellectual intelligence, and testifies her willingness to cease to exist.”
From Frank Schlegels’ History of Literature.
Comment from Linda
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:14 am
More transparency may have prevented some of the other high-profile stories of the year. Have you seen the top cheaters list? Was “walking the Appalachian Trail” being considered?
I like reading the list every year. However, at the end of the day, some of the commentators (Philip, G, etc.) should get a sense of humor!
Comment from Lon C Ponschock
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:16 am
Apparently no notice is taken at Lake Superior that the word “clearly” appears multiple times in descriptions of other words people want to ban. “Clearly” is another word of condescension. It is the red-haired step child of “basically” which I am on a personal campaign to have banned in speech and print. The implication of clearly is “It’s clear to me, why isn’t it clear to you? What’s the matter with you?” And no matter how often these tropes occur and from whom, I have no respect for the speaker and I don’t care if said speaker has more degrees than a thermometer.
Please join my campaign to eliminate the tedious use of the word ‘basically.’
Here is the reasoning:
The word “basically” is an overused verbal tic which demeans and condescends to the listener.
It is at the same time a way for the speaker to inflate his own self esteem by flogging and
repeating words that appear to emphasize personal knowledge.
It is a fault which has become, I fear, some sort of custom or accepted colloquialism.
Comment from Kelsey R
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:19 am
I completely agree on ‘App’ and ‘Tweet’
Highly, highly over used and annoying.
Comment from Ken Humiston
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:31 am
Transparency, as used by President Obama, is an antonym of transparency. Is he confused or just transparently trying to confuse someone?
Comment from Kevin
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:40 am
Some of the us like this list, and others, not so much.
Many folks who use this phrase are extremely lazy writers, others, not so much.
Last year’s list was well picked, this year’s list, not so much!
Many will figure out my least favorite phrase, others, not so much!
I think that many phrases are over-used and lack imagination.
However, I do realize that these so-called banned words and phrases are part of our culture and times. Unfortunately we’ve also become discourteous and disrespectful to each other by using words for their shock value and isolation. Why not fully explain your opinion and develop a real conversation.
For starters, does anyone hate the phrases: “It’s all good”, and “Shut up!”? I think the former implies that nothing bad happens in this world (that even the bad stuff has good value). And, I know that plenty of horrible things do that we should devalue. The latter, I believe is a shock value substitute for “Your kidding?” or “Are you serious!”, or “Are you kidding?”.
Comment from david
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:40 am
Id like to see “Honestly…” and “To tell you the truth….” buried, too. People use these to imply they are being sincere. But if they have to preface their comments as ‘honest’, or ‘the truth’ - then what about the rest of what they say? Are those comments, by default, dishonest?
While you’re at it, pull the plug on, “Just being real…” or “Tellin’ it like it is…,” etc. Just shabby excuses for being verbally hurtful, these should be left at the door.
Comment from Alyssa S
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:41 am
If you loathe these words/phrases so much, stop using them yourself. People tend to adopt the same tendencies as their friends and colleagues when they spend a lot of time together. I never started saying, “Really?…..Really?” until a friend of mine started saying it over and over. I finally noticed myself saying it, and quit the habit. Now my friend is saying it less and less. It’s all about human nature and the pattern of society, not an annual list one can Google at 10:30 in the morning.
Comment from Troy
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:41 am
“Robust” discussion!
Comment from pr
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:55 am
“But, as an education prof, I would like to reserve the right to use “teachable moment” to encourage teacher candidates to watch for an individual student’s aha moment.”
That’s a fine use of the term, and if you leave it at that it you probably won’t get much objection. Its more common usage is as an opportunity to slip in a little self-serving propaganda. There are certain types who like to use “teach” and “educate” as synonyms for “proselytize.”
I really have to chuckle at people ranting about the list, especially those who see fit to give a group of college English professors a lesson in etymology, then disdainfully explain that English is an evolving language. We can only hope that it will be a teachable moment when they realize what fools they’ve made of themselves.
Comment from MLT
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:00 pm
Forgive me if I have missed it, but has “politically correct” made its way onto this list in recent years? It makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Comment from Rainbow
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:11 pm
“Person of interest”…Forgive me, what is wrong with the word SUSPECT? It served us well for all these years. Also ‘allegedly’, when used to describe someone committing a crime. If they are caught on tape, or stupidly post it to YouTube, there’s nothing ‘alledged’. Commit the crime, do the time.
Comment from flute
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:12 pm
let me add un-presedented and if i hear systemic one more time i think i’ll throw up
Comment from David R. Young
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:13 pm
I’d like to nominate “acquired” as in “I acquired this antique when my mother died.” What happened to “got” and “bought” and “received”?
Also, I’d like to nominate “lovely” as a spousal reference. Not everyone’s wife is “lovely.”
Comment from Bob
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:15 pm
how about we use are time for something more constructive.
Comment from Bruce Graham
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:24 pm
I am excoriated by my mate for finding fault with overused words and phrases, told that I need a hobby. But reliance upon hackneyed and banal verbiage indicates and feeds paucity of mental acuity, especially in pompous politicians and pundits (please note the wonderful alliteration).
One that galls me is “The fact of the matter is that,” which invariably introduces mere outrageous opinion, often peppered with bombastic abuse.
Keep up the good work.
Comment from Dennis
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:24 pm
There are unintended consequences. I am perfectly happy to let people “friend” and “unfriend” on Facebook. Substituting “befriend” would in fact dilute/corrupt more selective uses of the term if it became widespread.
Comment from dave taylor
Time: January 1, 2010, 12:50 pm
Men and women instead of people, move forward instead of go ahead, bottom line. Politicians never just work, they always work HARD. I’m also tired of being told “ask your doctor”.
Comment from Nigel Wadgebotthyam
Time: January 1, 2010, 1:01 pm
I have no objection to the coining of new words. New ones will likely be overused at first. Eventually they will find their proper place in our lexicon. Many of these words will drop out of use, much as “groovy” and “far out” have done.
Someone objected to one of these words as being “made up”. They’re all “made up”. That’s how we wound up with so many words in the first place. People kept making them up. Why should we stop now?
Comment from Mark
Time: January 1, 2010, 1:05 pm
Thanks for this! Having discovered it, I’ll want to read all of the past years’ lists.
My most-hated phrase from 2010 is “flu-like symptoms”. This was born of an irrational and incorrect concern that if we say someone has flu symptoms, people would conclude that we are saying that person in fact has the flu. So as to not make such an accusation and incite riots and lawsuits, we created “flu-like symptoms”, which is a redundant equivalent to “flu symptoms”.
Rather than use simple English, we compensate by corrupting the language to hopefully make it more clear for the masses that we perceive to need our help.
This dumbing-down of the language makes me feel nauseous. Or maybe it is just nausea-like symptoms.
Comment from CB
Time: January 1, 2010, 1:09 pm
I want to add “authentic” and “authenticity.” These are insidious marketing terms that attempt to deem some experiences/places/things more “real” than others. That 90-year-old corner deli isn’t more “authentic” than McDonald’s. It’s more unique, perhaps, and it might certainly be better to support a local business, but the deli obeys the same laws of physics as McDonald’s does. Neither is fake. Neither is an illusion. Neither is more “authentic” than the other.
Comment from ed jannett
Time: January 1, 2010, 1:29 pm
Like, at the end of the day, lets hope we don’t revert back to using the words on the list and also if you can’t write it and sign it, don’t say it. Like, I have enjoyed the comments and like, lets say thanks to LSSU for allowing us like, to publish the some of our own words like,for all to see.
Comment from Rob Duncan
Time: January 1, 2010, 1:51 pm
Here’s one that has always bugged me: “majorly.”
People without children who have dogs and call themselves “pet parents” need to stop. This is an insult to anyone who has raised a child and just sounds unthinking.
The overuse of “grow”–grow the economy, grow our church, etc.
The misuse of the term “upgrade” to sell accessories.
The overuse of “wear” as a suffix, as in “footwear” for shoes, “eyewear” for glasses, etc.
Comment from Julian
Time: January 1, 2010, 2:38 pm
Why is the list so short? Maybe next year you can add, ‘whatever’ and, ‘melty.’
Comment from Bobbie
Time: January 1, 2010, 2:43 pm
Bending the cost curve is one tired administration talking point.
“Right vs left” distracting from addressing serious issues.
Comment from Dan
Time: January 1, 2010, 2:55 pm
Great work! The list of over used, misused and unnecessarily used words grows daily. I am so weary of the buzz words that assault us in lieu of good English usage. Keep up the fight!
Comment from Sara
Time: January 1, 2010, 3:17 pm
The term Sound Science should be banned. It now just means any science that agrees with my already preconceived views and all other science is bunk.
Comment from KevinW
Time: January 1, 2010, 3:18 pm
Moving forward and going forward are the most overused and abused words lately. I hear it all the time - annoying.
Comment from TPM
Time: January 1, 2010, 3:28 pm
I’m glad I don’t have “a dog in this fight”. What happened to “gravitas”? A word that was overused a few years ago.
Comment from Joe Breen
Time: January 1, 2010, 3:29 pm
Already x 2 sucks .
Comment from Fawk Mawthor
Time: January 1, 2010, 4:00 pm
I personally think this is ridiculous. Who are we to take away freedom of speech? If someone wants to say something like “tweet” they should have full authority to do so. I can understand that they are annoying, but everyone is annoying at least once in their lives. Happy New Year jerks.
Comment from nc1943
Time: January 1, 2010, 4:12 pm
Tack “pragmatic” and “systemic” to the list. Give these words arrest people, will ya? Use a thesaurus for god sake!
Comment from delrayguy
Time: January 1, 2010, 4:30 pm
Amazing……stop using amazing. Everything and everyone is not amazing. It seems that word replaced awesome. It is really overused.
Comment from D.Thomas
Time: January 1, 2010, 4:39 pm
Consider the overuse of these phrases: ” the bottom line is” (politicians constantly use that), “at the end of the day” (which is supposed to mean finally but changes daily), and “Let me make it clear”(which never does). The word “robust” is overused.
Comment from theonly4×4
Time: January 1, 2010, 5:37 pm
heres a word…retard - is a person or persons who really waste their time making this list…GET A LIFE!!!
Comment from Ilona Shechter
Time: January 1, 2010, 6:19 pm
I think “basically” needs a rest. It seems to be used with every second or third sentence! I mean, like, basically we can’t seem to speak, like you know, without using basically, to explain things. Like, maybe we need a basically App? Maybe we’ll be giving up English completely one day. Please, there really is no shame in speaking English properly, sans ( oops sorry, that was French!!) the “look at me I’m important” buzz words and silly phrases.
I mean, basically, it is our language… isn’t it?
Comment from Comment
Time: January 1, 2010, 6:28 pm
I am tired of business leaders at my company now using the term ‘holistic’ (such as we are looking for a holstic approach)..what in the world is holistic about business???
Comment from Hommey
Time: January 1, 2010, 6:42 pm
I would like to ban the use of the word “like” (the “you know” replacement) along with the use of “so” before every adjective. I’m also tired of “sorry for your loss”. They aren’t misplaced; they died.
Comment from Susan McIntosh
Time: January 1, 2010, 6:44 pm
Next year, please consider “a horse apiece” and “old-school.” Thanks.
Comment from Soccerhead
Time: January 1, 2010, 6:46 pm
A lot of commenters don’t seem familiar with the banished words list.
It’s not trying to take away freedom of speech. It’s a humor list that comes out every December 31st.
Forsooth one can look at every year’s list since it began in the 80s and see how pop culture has evolved.
That said, I thought “cash for clunkers” would make it this year.
Comment from Major leauger
Time: January 1, 2010, 7:21 pm
“having a conversation” as opposed to taking a stand. e.g. Michelle Obama’s “conversations. Also, “folks” I am tired of politicians ad media people”looking out for the folks.” Leave us alone, stop spending our money and enforce the laws we have.
Comment from 2yorkies
Time: January 1, 2010, 7:26 pm
One phrase to consider for next year’s list; LOL. Really, are you REALLY laughing… out loud?? I don’t think you are.
Comment from Robert Myers
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:02 pm
Please sign my petition to ban English professors from passing judgment on the use of language in technology, especially when they don’t know what they’re talking about.
Applications, utilities, and operating systems are all programs. Not all programs are applications.
Applications are often shortened to apps and have been for as long as I can remember (which is just about as long as the word “program” has been used to describe a list of instructions for a computer). Applications are optionally-installable, specialized programs for “end users” (the sort of person who might confuse “application” with “program”). Utilities are optionally-installable but almost universally-available programs for use by systems programmers, applications programmers, and system administators (sysadmins–swallow that one while failing, as many professors in the humanities do, to use the subjunctive appropriately). Finally, an operating system provides services to both applications and utilities.
Do you research your list before you publish it? Nice publicity trick, but no one is going to confuse you with Harvard, and certainly not with MIT.
Comment from Jiggjack
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:31 pm
Guys, let’s just chillax and learn Obamanomics. I might friend you and tell you about czars. It could be a teachable moment. I can use my tweet app to send you the info. Get shovel-ready to receive the info and write me a 10 page essay on it. We can form a bromance and start sexting. But you are a toxic asset to have. Finally, I’m not transparent. Ok this is Obamanough.
Comment from Susan Nunes
Time: January 1, 2010, 9:44 pm
One word I absolutely hate is “truthiness.” Users need to quit quoting television personalities’ lingo (in this case, Stephen Colbert), and start using more acceptable words such as “truthfulness.”
Comment from lola
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:15 pm
ok, the people who made this list and the people who agreed are stupid. I mean, last time i checked wasn’t this a FREE country? And, oh, doesn’t the constitution have a little article about FREEDOM OF SPEECH?! What is wrong with you people?! if slang didn’t exist and we stuck with the so called “queen’s english” you love so much, the english language WOULD NEVER EVOLVE. Seriously, we have the right to say any dang word we feel like saying. Just to piss you all off, TWEET TWEET TEACHABLE MOMENT tRANSPARENT CZAR CZAR APP APP APP APP FRIENDED STIMULUS TOXIC ASSETS FAIL CHILLAXIN OBAMA-EVERYTHING AND ALL THAT OTHER CRUD I’LL SAY WHATEVER I WANT thumbs up to everyone who agrees the stupid list is wrong!
Comment from Ellen
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:16 pm
“It is what it is” literally sends me over the edge, as does “as we move forward”, or “going forward” . I hear the two latter phrases at work in meetings at least 7 times an hour, and want to puke each time
Comment from Myra
Time: January 2, 2010, 1:24 am
How can we not banish the phrase “comfortable in one’s own skin” ? Maybe I missed it on the list. It’s the most absurdly meaningless description I’ve ever heard. But I wonder…what happens to people who are UNcomfortable in their own skin? Can they trade for someone else’s ?
Comment from Billy
Time: January 2, 2010, 2:17 am
Are you serious? What is wrong with any of this? Are you really just jealous that all these abbreviations have been created by people who make money that you don’t want them to use it? Facebook used Friending and Unfriending. They came up with something creative. Which surfing on the web you don’t wanna have to read lots of useless information just to chat with friends. Chillaxin’ Really? There is not much reason for any of these words to be banned. There is a such thing as freedom of speech. If someone wants to use those words they can and there is not a thing you can do about it.
Comment from NK
Time: January 2, 2010, 2:34 am
Why is chillaxing even on here? I haven’t heard this term for YEARS, signalling that it is already rather obsolete.
Comment from Jack Rose
Time: January 2, 2010, 4:18 am
I think all you people trying to ‘ban’ words are kind of stupid. Have you heard of freedom of speech? I mean seriously! Who cares if someone calls me, asks me what I’m doing, and I respond that I’m chillaxin’ with my friends. And the ‘Economic Times’ thing, I don’t know why everybody is complaining. Everybody knows that when you say economic times you mean the economic crisis. Jeez, you people are all so uptight.
Comment from Peter R
Time: January 2, 2010, 6:39 am
My candidates for banning: “stakeholder” and “deem(ed)”.
Comment from Blake
Time: January 2, 2010, 8:25 am
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do what is really being proposed here?
Who wouldn’t want to see THE PEOPLE WHO RAN THESE INANE PHRASES INTO THE GROUND banned?
That’s what we REALLY want for Christmas!
Comment from terry m
Time: January 2, 2010, 8:35 am
I would love to add the phrase, “once and for all”. I have read this so many (WAY too many) times in the fiction novels I enjoy. I hate the phrase, it is dumb.
Comment from Joe
Time: January 2, 2010, 9:16 am
Some of these are useful. Stimulus and APP, I would have liked to keep, but everyone is tired of “in this economy”. But do you think anyone is going to stop saying any of the words I already mentioned? Itunes would have to change all it’s commercials and it’s website. Obama would re-write his next speech. Every day talk show hosts say “tweet”, and “sexting” is frequently on the news. Smart list, but the words are too big to be stopped.
Comment from Ron
Time: January 2, 2010, 9:53 am
Next on the list - “banished words list” -
Another wasteful list with no meaning
Comment from JBARIE
Time: January 2, 2010, 10:07 am
WOULD IT BE USEFUL TO HAVE A LIST OF WORDS THAT SHOULD NEVER BE BANISHED OR AT LEAST BE PLACED ON THE ENDANGERED LIST …JEEKERS, I HAVEN’T HAD A CHANCE TO OVER USE YOUR MOST RECENT GAMECHANGING AWESOME ENTRIES
Comment from Mike M.
Time: January 2, 2010, 10:44 am
Whenever you encounter this “in these economic times,” imagine for a moment if the meaning of the phrase would be any different if “economic” were removed.
Usually the context is sufficient to maintain the meaning. Which means, usually, that the author is self-aggrandizing by adding “economic.”
Our culture is doomed if our language becomes contorted by the linguistic tomfoolery of self-aggrandizing individuals.
Banish “in these economic times” a hundred times over! And bring me another beer!
Comment from Peter
Time: January 2, 2010, 11:02 am
“Clearly” … if I hear that one more time there’s no telling what I’ll do! I skimmed the entries and noted only two others share my affliction, and perhaps only to some extent. “Clearly” seems to be one of those “corporate-speak” words which somehow made it over to the politicos and talking heads. And while I’m at it, I’m tickled to death to see that the use of “czar” has rankled quite a few … for those that missed it, they (czars) did a lot of damage in their day and we spent millions straightening out that problem. To have them back within our midst as “Drug Czars, Educations Czars” or whatever is infuriating. While I’m ranting, let’s throw “give back” into the mix! My phone rings one more time w/ a cause suggesting that I “give back” I might have to rip the phones off the wall. Finally, to you freedom freaks … yeah sure, it’s a free country and you can be “clearly” and “Czar” and “American People” (yipes, almost forgot that one!) all you want but that won’t stop the rest of us from finding you mildly annoying, if not inappropriate. Did I forget to add “cliche” and “trendy?” Awesome Dude!
Comment from Pam
Time: January 2, 2010, 11:46 am
I am sick of hearing “It’s all good.” What is all good? It is used even when it does not make sense. It is used by those who like to act “trendy”.
Another one: “Works for me.” Again, how trendy. ICKKKKKKK
Comment from Nicole
Time: January 2, 2010, 11:47 am
Give CHILLAXIN’ a month or so and some pharmaceutical company come out with a “new,” high-priced anti-anxiety med that will cause most, if not, all of us higher anxieties then we already have!
Comment from Robert Ducharme
Time: January 2, 2010, 12:04 pm
I would also banish:
1) “deja vu, all over again.” worn out!
2)”event” used superfluously in TV adds: “sales event,” “movie event,” etc.
3) “nother”–a non-existent word that has commonly replaced “other” in the speech of many people, even TV presenters.
Comment from Vic Daniel
Time: January 2, 2010, 1:24 pm
The use of “architect” as a verb, as in “We need to architect an optimal solution to this problem”. This usage is singularly irritating and bespeaks, at best, a limited and incomplete vocabulary and at worst, near-simpleton thinking. Whatever happened to “design”, “create”, “devise”, etc.?
Comment from JSC
Time: January 2, 2010, 1:47 pm
Good luck to you, but I think the list is an obvious spoof. Great list though–but it’s missing “unprecedented” and “global warming” as lies to readers or hearers just to make their users seem ‘powerful.’ “Global warming” has now become “climate change” because of the lies–what fawning (and comedy). These words have now become “unpresidential” and opposite in their original meaning, i.e., “good” has become “bad,” and “bad” — “good.” Our President has become toady to the world by his words and behavior toward other world leaders. How about using words unpretentiously and being more modest and accurate as we back them up! Your list swells of words with unrestrained counterfeit intentions (UCIs for short). We really don’t want to use the Queen’s English–American English is ours. Freedom of speech is worth the discussion.
Comment from David R. Young
Time: January 2, 2010, 2:37 pm
I’d like to suggest banishing “absolutely” when used as a highfalutin substitute for “yes”.
Comment from Peter R
Time: January 2, 2010, 2:45 pm
I’d also suggest a really hard clampdown on apostrophe abuse, as in “Itunes would have to change all it’s commercials and it’s website.”
Comment from (another) Bob
Time: January 2, 2010, 3:31 pm
I nominate the phrase: “At the end of the day…”. It’s almost always followed by an admonition, a sales pitch, or outright bragging.
Comment from Glenn McCray
Time: January 2, 2010, 4:05 pm
Has “learnings” been bannished yet. If not, please enter my submission to the next list.
Comment from Ken
Time: January 2, 2010, 4:09 pm
Well you know it’s all irregardless.
Comment from Richard Palzer
Time: January 2, 2010, 5:22 pm
First, for those taking issue with the list, citing freedom of speech, relax–it was created as a publicity stunt back in 1976 on New Year’s Day, according to a Chicago Tribune story. So I think it should be taken more in the spirit in which it was originally intended although I do admit that I’m glad some submissions are on the list because they genuinely irritate me. That said (yes, on purpose), my nomination for just such an irritant is a seconding of reader Chris Arceneaux’s above: “my bad,” which sounds illiterate. Unfortunately, I’ve heard it used by announcers on national TV, not just from people in casual conversation. Another in the incorrect-word category is “all of the sudden” instead of “all of a sudden.” On the lighter side, I submit “veggie(s),” which I think sounds childish. And if “inform,” as used in the sense of “that experience informs his outlook” continues to get its current play, I’ll bet it makes a future list. A final comment–even if you’re put off by the list or disagree with many of the selections or comments, I consider the effort valuable for the attention to expression that otherwise wouldn’t be paid (plus it serves as a clearinghouse for some legitimate gripes.)
Comment from ray m
Time: January 2, 2010, 6:43 pm
Banish “it is what it is”, the most pesimistic, sign of absoulte resignation.
Comment from RevMark
Time: January 2, 2010, 9:51 pm
This may be only in my area- Pittsburgh- but there is a stunning over- and mis-use of “myself” as in- “Myself and Bob went to the store” or “Please contact either Ted or myself.” Argh. What is wrong with “please contact me”?
Another pet peeve: “going forward”. Banish it!
Comment from barbara
Time: January 2, 2010, 10:37 pm
Post-9/11 world, begone!
Comment from Hunter Drzewiecki
Time: January 2, 2010, 11:18 pm
I have a deep and intense hatred of these 5 words, mostly due to overuse:
1. Gangsta: Far too overused. One of my friends, probabl
2. Social networking: To save time, why not call it “chatting”?
3. Smart: Meaning, in this context, “artificially intelligent”, it now describes everything from automobiles to washing machines.
4. Green: Meaning “enviromentally friendly”, it is also overused, just like “smart”.
5. Organic: All it really means is made of carbon compounds, but now almost anything is described as organic, even when it is not actually made of carbon compounds. (Pardon me for sounding too scientific.)
Comment from Hunter Drzewiecki
Time: January 2, 2010, 11:21 pm
In response to the numerous griping about violating the 1st Amendment:
It’s called a joke. Don’t you get it?
Comment from Tom Foolerly
Time: January 3, 2010, 1:40 am
Whenever I hear someone start out with “in this economy” or “in these economic times” why is it I feel I need to use my hand or a book or something to cover my backside and the other to hide my wallet?
And Stimulus! What is that, blue pills for me and pink for her? I know for sure it won’t stimulate anything but my next tax bill. Kind of like a Pell Grant for everyone. Got money, didn’t have to prove you learned a thing!
Comment from Myra
Time: January 3, 2010, 2:22 am
HERE IT IS….the most moronic of them all…”GOING MISSING”. How exactly, does someone “go” missing???
Comment from Rob
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:02 am
I’m “SHOVEL-READY” to ban these words because I am “Transparenty” the “Czar” of “Tweeter-ville” because I have an “App” for that and “Sexting” while driving doesn’t sound all that “Befriending” at this “Teachable moment” because “In these economic times” I need to find a “Stimulus” to help my “Toxic assets” and the idea is “Too big to fail” because seriously who doesn’t like a little “Bromance” while “Chillaxin’” in “obamaland”?…As a future Lit. Prof. this disgusts me.
Comment from Arnie Glick
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:04 am
Kuahmel Allah has the right idea about “apps”. However, I think that they should be called “half apps”.
Comment from Scott, Boston, MA
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:15 am
Maybe these didn’t all happen in 2009, but did annoy me then.
Gifted, as in the most gifted appliance this year.
At the end of the day (just say it, and hope the listener gets the importance without embellishment. It is the new ‘when all’s said and done’)
on the same page (Americans are the most conformist individualists imaginable. Let’s be on different pages, let’s be in other books, in other universes, then we might not be talking to ourselves.)
Comment from Ang
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:22 am
Please add ORIENTATE! This word seemed to originate in academia at orientation. The word is ORIENT. You become oriented to a new situation. It we continue to add -ate to words with -ation, our words will become longer and longer and meaningless!
Comment from Rob
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:23 am
One more thing to add…If ‘american english’ consits of the words: Lol, rofl, omg, myob, and
Comment from MIchael
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:40 am
Uhhh I think the words that should be banished are Shut up ! Shut your mouth ! would rather have someone tell me to f- - - off rather then say shut up or shut your mouth. I personally think there are no words that compare to the rudeness.
Comment from carolyn
Time: January 3, 2010, 8:42 am
How could I live all my life in Michigan and never heard of such a creative group of young people? This year you are spot on with your list. My mind is spinning with sugggestions for next year. I will be making my list and checking it twice before submitting my list at the end of the year. Thank you for a joyful start to my day. Carolyn
Comment from Average Joe
Time: January 3, 2010, 8:56 am
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
In other words, STFU and talk or text…any damned way or any damned thing you please….the guys and gals that compiled this list….still put their pants on one leg at a time and are no more intelligent than the rest of us.
Comment from Guy92
Time: January 3, 2010, 9:00 am
RANDOM should be banned for overusage as well. So many people these days say that stupid ugly word.
Ex:
Its so random. That was random. Lets go and ask some random guy on the street.
Or they will attach ly and ness to it and say randomly or randomness. It’s driving me nuts.
I wanna banish the word random.
Another word should be BASICALLY along with TECHNICALLY, ACTUALLY and all the other -ly words.
I also hate it when people say all before an emotion.
Ex:She’s all mad.
She is not all mad.
The correct way is “SHE IS MAD”. Not all mad. Are we talking about a roomful of people who are mad. No one person is made. So axe off “all”.
Another thing is when people are talking in a conversation and going through what happenned in the past and giving dialogue to the story they will say so I’m LIKE I wanna go home. I also despise when people use the word LIKE in that way.
Anyway RANDOM should be firstly banned for overusage.
Anyway Bye!
Comment from twodawgs
Time: January 3, 2010, 9:16 am
Actually I actually think the word actually should actually be banished because actually it is easily the most overused word actually used today, actually!
Comment from George
Time: January 3, 2010, 9:40 am
how about “green” and “carbon footprint?” getting sick of them…
Comment from Guy92
Time: January 3, 2010, 9:51 am
Lol. It definately is. I laughed at how you managed to use that word so much.
Comment from Average Joe
Time: January 3, 2010, 10:00 am
How about……”study” and “list”? There always seem to be too many people who commission “studies” to be made on this or that…those “stuidies” result in “lists”, you know….no-fly list,terrorist watch list, monitor list, mailing list, phone list, “this list”…..and right on down the line…of course those “lists” result in more “studies”….which lead to more “lists’……which leads to more……
Even many of the posts here…..mention “lists”….and the title:
2010 Banished Words List…..is in fact…another list….commissioned by a “study”.
Comment from nell
Time: January 3, 2010, 10:19 am
HEY– DID SOMEONE MENTION “first priority” hmmm?
Comment from Bill
Time: January 3, 2010, 10:22 am
What happened to “at the end of the day”?
Comment from Shegundala
Time: January 3, 2010, 10:55 am
While I may agree with many of the contentions here, I don’t really get a lot of the angst. Most of these “era-appropriate” expressions will come and go and have not crept into moment-to-moment conversational communication (Me thinks one may be spending way too much time on line). As a writer, however, the abuse, misuse, and immature reliance on the one time great descriptive, ‘AWESOME’ has left few hairs in my head; and yet seems to have very few of you miffed. For those among you who, like myself, would prefer fingernails on a blackboard to the consistent and asinine destruction of this adjective, I suggest this: When in conversation with an “AWESOME” offender, send a gentle reminder…”…Well, I’m not sure that that was actually ‘awesome’–pretty good, maybe–not really awesome though.” When I’m on the phone with a faceless business contact who insists on awesoming everything I say, I will actually ask them to stop using the word…A little strong, you say. Okay, then the I say, stop destroying the language. Our progeny will be inheriting our verbal communication. If the same descriptive that’s used to describe The Grand Canyon is applied to an ice cream cone, I hate to think what the confusion might be a few generations hence.
Comment from Shelly Meyer
Time: January 3, 2010, 10:55 am
The word “app” itself should not be banned, it’s all of the ridiculous text-typing that should be banned. U R is NOT you are. No wonder no one knows how to spell anymore. Also, how about “my bad”…I hate that phrase.
Comment from anon
Time: January 3, 2010, 11:08 am
Does some1 relly pay you for this? get a real job you poor souls
Comment from Auntie Hosebag
Time: January 3, 2010, 11:13 am
How about “War on Terror”? For that matter how about doing away with “War on…” anything.
Comment from Chad
Time: January 3, 2010, 11:15 am
I think that the phrase “in these economic times” is being so overused that I refuse to use any companies products or services that uses this phrase. Unless you have been under a rock for the last few years, you know we are in tough times. Companies that use this as their sale slogan however, are just rubbing it in and I feel abusing the term. We don’t need to be reminded of the rough economy over and over again…it is depressing.
Comment from Kelly Coats
Time: January 3, 2010, 11:51 am
What about when someone is talking about what they are going to do? For example; “I’m going to make me a sandwich”, ” I am going to buy me a pop”, ” I am going to cook me an egg”, that drives me CRAZY, this always implies that “me” is very, very important.
Comment from Lushi
Time: January 3, 2010, 12:34 pm
You should put the list in a publishable format. I would love to “share” this with my social media friends.
Comment from Eddie
Time: January 3, 2010, 12:41 pm
please include the word “dude” in that
Comment from brian cowley
Time: January 3, 2010, 12:42 pm
Like can like we like stop like using like all the like FREAKIN’ like time.
Comment from Gene Wentzel, DC
Time: January 3, 2010, 12:57 pm
What words or phrases do we hate?: I don’t know about you, but I hate, “Feel me?” That’s the new way of saying, “Do you know what I mean?” or “Do you know what I’m saying?”
I hate it…makes me puke everytime I hear someone say it.
Comment from Dave J
Time: January 3, 2010, 1:17 pm
Too Big To Fail - Two words: Titanic, Hindenberg
Comment from Shegundala
Time: January 3, 2010, 1:27 pm
Yes ‘Eddie’ I’m in full agreement about “Dude.”
‘Anon’–time for a grammar class…poor soul.
Comment from JeanMarie
Time: January 3, 2010, 1:30 pm
Please stop the use of the horribly over-used phrase “at the end of the day.” It’s obnoxious and meaningless. I hear it on every damn news show and commentary. STOP!
Comment from jane trav
Time: January 3, 2010, 1:34 pm
PUH-leeze!
Can we do without “basically” (ditto)?
How about “closure,” a particular irritant to my husband. Closure these days seems to close everything when it used to be related only to death and its grieving aftermath.
As for all the malcontents re this list, “fun up!” You know what I mean?
Can you all “get a life”?
Like, enough already! Spot on!
Ditto.
“You know what I mean?” No I don’t. Or are you looking for “validation,” another groaner.
Comment from Rob
Time: January 3, 2010, 2:01 pm
Comment from Philip
Time: December 31, 2009, 12:29 pm
What the hell?! Let me get this straight, these people actually are encouraging the ban of words? Um, hasn’t anyone read the Constitution? People can talk however they want! Nobody, not some uppity University, that nobody has ever heard of. Not, all the news sites that think this is remotely newsworthy (it’s not). As for the particular words that are being banned: WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURY. It’s called slang. Look it up! Oh and since it annoys you so much: TWEET TWEET TWEET TWEET TWEET.
- Slang is another way of saying “I’m not smart enough to use proper english” also did you read the statement in the beginning “Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.” Oh, wait this is the 21st century nobody reads anymore. I am ashamed to be in this generation.
Comment from Eric
Time: December 31, 2009, 1:56 pm
Ok some of the things on this list are over used yes, BUT many of the items on the list are part of societies everyday language. Telling PPL that common used words are ‘band’ will only intice them to use them more frequently, as most are used by the youth of our country. Which, lets face it, are rebellious when told they shouldn’t say/do certain things. IDK what makes these ‘list makers’ think they so special, that they can make a list of things that they dont think are politcally correct to be used in everyday life. I think this list is a waste of time. Tell me words in my VOCAB aren’t suitable, and I’ll say them to you EVRY chance I get.
-When you use things like “PPL” and “IDK” it makes it look like you don’t know how to spell. Do you really want to make that kind of impression? No wonder you can’t find a better job than Hardee’s. Wait! let me put it in terms you can understand: Wen u use werdz like “PPL” n “IDK” it maks it luk lik u dnt noe hw 2 spll. Du u relly want 2 mke thet cind of mpresun? Noe 1der u kant fnd a betr job than hardez.
Comment from lola
Time: January 1, 2010, 11:15 pm
ok, the people who made this list and the people who agreed are stupid. I mean, last time i checked wasn’t this a FREE country? And, oh, doesn’t the constitution have a little article about FREEDOM OF SPEECH?! What is wrong with you people?! if slang didn’t exist and we stuck with the so called “queen’s english” you love so much, the english language WOULD NEVER EVOLVE. Seriously, we have the right to say any dang word we feel like saying. Just to piss you all off, TWEET TWEET TEACHABLE MOMENT tRANSPARENT CZAR CZAR APP APP APP APP FRIENDED STIMULUS TOXIC ASSETS FAIL CHILLAXIN OBAMA-EVERYTHING AND ALL THAT OTHER CRUD I’LL SAY WHATEVER I WANT thumbs up to everyone who agrees the stupid list is wrong!
-The people who made this list is stupid? What about the people who came up these stupid words like “Chillaxin” which is not a word therefore is stupid in itself. English language did evolve it went from proper english to slang but I would call that de-evolving and if that’s the case I would rather speak “Queens english” any day. those “Stupid people” are smarter than you.
Comment from Angela
Time: January 3, 2010, 2:04 pm
“prolly” instead of probably! UGH..I’m 41 years old…and i JUST caught myself SAYING IT! BAN IT QUICK before it takes over the world!!!
“Honestly” is another bad one…if it has already been banned, it needs it again, because way too many people are telling me that they area speaking ‘honestly’ this time, because the rest of the time they are fibbing!
Comment from Rob Woyzbun
Time: January 3, 2010, 2:23 pm
Love the list - but concerned with the assault on anything “twitter”. Seems like everyone is missing the point - it’s NOT about what I’m having for lunch at all. Please see http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/weekinreview/03carr.html - “Why Twitter Will Endure”
Comment from Jim Casey
Time: January 3, 2010, 3:13 pm
I agree with all those, and suggest adding “iconic”, “post-racial”, “at the end of the day”, and “going forward.” Thank you.
Comment from DB
Time: January 3, 2010, 3:15 pm
Lets add the words ” ISSUES ” and ” Tech-Heavy “…
These words drive me nuts.
Comment from Steve Taub
Time: January 3, 2010, 3:20 pm
We should add “perspective”. Whatever happened to “viewpoint” or “standpoint”? Also “apparently” which also could be “obviously” or “evidently”. I agree that most of these overused phrases come from corporate America when you are trying to fit in and communicate while presenting your thoughts in “Powerpoint” Another one is “Due Diligence”while other simply did their research. I better quit while I’m ahead.
Comment from Terry
Time: January 3, 2010, 3:33 pm
I believe the two phrases over used in the work place would be as follows:
1. And moving forward.
2. Having said that.
These phrases make me want to say WHATEVER
Comment from Pam Tyner
Time: January 3, 2010, 3:36 pm
This column and all the ensuing comments that it generated have given me more amusement today than I’ve had in a decade. I’ve never noticed this list before. I ran across it while browsing e-news today. The list is wonderful and I totally agree. We must add the word bifurcate too. My company loves to bifurcate all kinds of things. I’m sure that most have absolutely no idea that it means to divide something into 2 branches, as it is typically used by my coworkers to express the desire to break down and analyze data in many ways. Keep up the good work. Freedom of expression is a great gift in this country. However, it allows idiots to believe they have to right to display their idiocy every single day! That gives the rest of us the right to make fun of them.
Comment from WordsRus
Time: January 3, 2010, 3:51 pm
I don’t think we should ban anything. Words are “created” by and through generations;some accepted in the English language and some are not. That’s why we have the term “SLANG”. With the invention of the internet so much jargon came with it. We don’t have to consider it as “acceptable” but if it’s understood in any message then be it. That’s how dialects are created throughout times. The concern and focus should be on GRAMMAR and SPELLING not vocabulary. That’s what I consider major issues. Examples: “we was” vs “we were”. “I should’ve went” vs “should’ve gone” and the list goes on…
Comment from Jeremy S
Time: January 3, 2010, 4:03 pm
has the word “metrosexual” ever been on the lists? if it hasn’t, then now is the time to banish this god-awful word
Comment from Stephen
Time: January 3, 2010, 4:04 pm
Thanks. I enjoyed reading this hilarious compilation and the many comments. I do not recall seeing “de-friend” on the list. So, please don’t all de-friend me at the same time. I have a low-class laugh that includes rolling on the ground and holding muh belly; it is the true essence of LOL. And, my dear jane trav, I must bring closure to this missive, but fun up, I’ll be chillaxing, listening to my internet jazz station, as I lay me down to sleep for a late afternoon nap or should I say snooze. Whatever, I mean, at the end of the day, Jean, it’s all not obnoxious and meaningless, know what I’m saying? I’m going to get me some sleep, right about now. Ta-ta, everyone, kno’ what I mean…my stomach is hurting yet!
Comment from Rob
Time: January 3, 2010, 4:14 pm
If I hear ORGANIC one more time I am going to huuuurllllll. Usually out of the mouth of somebody selling something, usually Hollywood types.
Comment from Jerry
Time: January 3, 2010, 4:19 pm
All the words you delineated are truly deserving of banishment. Each one of them constitutes an Obamanation to the proper use of English
Comment from twentysomething
Time: January 3, 2010, 4:26 pm
“Whatever”
Comment from Carol Eames
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:06 pm
When I first started camping and backpacking APP was the term we used for toilet paper - All Purpose Paper. Still is my term for that very useful product.
Comment from Ococker
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:24 pm
In the realm of speaking we could do without so much “Well,…” as in “Well, like y’know…”.
Come to think of it, the other two words are worn out, also.
Comment from duke
Time: January 3, 2010, 5:54 pm
who gave anyone the right to ban words? especially for creative writing, different cultures and different regions in the world have their own sense of poetry and evolution of (english) language. i may hate to hear “chillaxing”, but to a specific group or generation, it may sound appropriate for them.
and especially for phrases, banning them just sound so absurd.
Comment from Mellinpie
Time: January 3, 2010, 6:14 pm
Will someone PLEASE tell me how someone ‘goes missing’ or ‘went missing’???? Like it was planned or something? Jeez!!! I absolutely HATE HATE HATE that term!!!!! Maybe so and so disappeared? I gotta go vomit….
Comment from Charlie O’Hearn
Time: January 3, 2010, 6:22 pm
This list really nailed it. As an IT professional I can’t stand “the use of the word “app”"with regard to PDAs and smartphones. Just flippen’ say application, will you!?
Thankfully, “it is what it is” is no longer as often used, but as quickly as it faded, “I know, right?” replaced it as the single most annoying expression. Then again, it fits right in with the phenomenon of young people phrasing everything they say in the form of a question, e.g. “I was going to the store? And I saw this guy”And he was like really hot?”
OK, if you talk like this, you sound like an idiot?
I’ll end this little rant with a gripe about the way businesses like MS and others have hijacked the word “widget,” which used to be a hypotetical product for lessons in Business 101, and have applied it to the desktop applets such as the side-bar in Vista (junk). Obviously they have run out of imaginative creativity and I have become a cranky old man of 43 unable to relate to todays youth.
Now get off my lawn!
Comment from Bob
Time: January 3, 2010, 6:30 pm
Could we please abolish the phrase “Let me be clear” I am so weary of hearing that bafoon say that phrase it almost makes me want Bush back….I said almost.
Comment from Geoffrey Kloster
Time: January 3, 2010, 6:38 pm
The first time I heard “transparency” other than meaning something I could see through was when our administration said they would be more transparent in their dealings with us. I asked if that means it would be even more difficult to see their dealings.
Comment from Frank Crumit
Time: January 3, 2010, 6:48 pm
Partisan, non-partisan, bi-partisan, partisanship. These words should be parted-out.
Comment from Julie Mescher
Time: January 3, 2010, 6:48 pm
I nominate the phrase “I know, right?”. It came out of nowhere and suddenly I can’t have a conversation without hearing it. Why is this a question? We have no idea. Please stop.
Comment from Paul Kaye
Time: January 3, 2010, 6:58 pm
Lets get rid of “my bad” and use some real english instead.
Comment from Larry Milberry
Time: January 3, 2010, 7:16 pm
In case these dreadful terms have not yet been banished by you, kindly consider adding:
“one the ground” … for some years every news reporter has depended on this stupid phrase. In Canada all reporters with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. are obliged to use this phrase several times in every report, no matter the subject. Naturally, our soldiers are one the ground in Afghanistan, but the kindergarten kids are on the ground, the polar bears are on the ground, the beavers are on the ground (even when they’re under water), etc.
Next … please banish “going forward”. Every politician’s favorite dumb phrase. When you hear your congressman say that things are going forward, stop voting for that person.
Today I heard a new one. A pompous fellow was searching for the simple word “logic”. He upped that one and coughed out “logicality”. He must work for the CBC!
All the best in 2010 … Larry Milberry
Comment from JR
Time: January 3, 2010, 7:47 pm
About half of the people completely missing the point of this article makes me laugh.
Comment from Meredith
Time: January 3, 2010, 8:26 pm
This is stupid. Have you ever heard of freedom of speech? The idea of trying to ban words is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of.
Comment from Jay
Time: January 3, 2010, 9:11 pm
I’m still hearing too much of “It is what it is” and the word “awesome”. Everything on the list needs to go, even “app”.
Comment from Ryan
Time: January 3, 2010, 9:12 pm
Everyone who cares enough about a few annoying words are idiots. They are words, and yes some are annoying mash-ups, but to be honest, who in the hell really cares? There are more problems in this world then stupid made-up words, and even wasting an hour or so to make up this list just sounds to be the definition of idiocy to me.
Comment from mb
Time: January 3, 2010, 9:39 pm
I have been disgusted by the ignorant athletes who have said “most definitely” for a number of years.
And let’s not forget:
“How U doin?” - it was bad enough from the “Friends” show, now some transvestite, talkshow host is mangling it even more
.
obama’s “czars” - interesting that he uses the term from a communist country
“Let me be clear” - when has a politician ever been clear?
“Make no mistake” - Oh, we made a big one last in 2008, which will be fixed later this year
“systemic failure” - no, the people making the decisions are failures
“baby got back” - no, she just has a fat a**
Comment from JLG
Time: January 3, 2010, 10:49 pm
I’ve followed the work of the late (how long is too long to use the phrase “the late” in describing dead folk?) James J. Kilpatrick, the late Edwin Newman, and the still living Charles Osgood, who still writes his CBS Sunday Morning scripts in iambic pentamber, I’m giddy that you publish your list. The noble work of maintaining the fundementals of our language are essential, to ensure the possibility of effective communication amongst generations, cultures and economic classes in our country. Civility has seemingly disappeared in today’s society, therefore, the integrity of our language is essential to the very survival of our unique gift. Gadzooks, methinks this tounge that has pierced this foul jelly called a cheek is mine own.
Comment from bernadette
Time: January 3, 2010, 10:54 pm
What about expressions such as ‘tweaking, punches above his weight, touch base, medalled, on the same page and, the worst of them all ‘listen up!’ How exactly does one listen UP? And so they go on, ad nauseum. I’m writing this from New Zealand and we have the same nauseating lists that I hear even highly intelligent people adopting. Of British descent, I love to hear the language used properly, with no gimmicky expressions. Let’s just get back to basic decent English,
Comment from Luke
Time: January 3, 2010, 11:55 pm
I agree with JR above me, someone people do not get it. In fact, a large number of these comments are people who just do not get it. They are probably just trolling (another word I hate, but I use way too often) us or whatever. Seriously people, learn to joke! This list is by no way serious. However I do support the removal of “sexting”, “tsar/czar/tzar”, “bromance”, and “chillaxin”. However I do use the last one to mock some of my friends 
Comment from Gerhard
Time: January 3, 2010, 11:57 pm
Fine list. Don’t understand the uproar by some folks. Get a life; this is serious fun. “Tongue-in-cheek” is not on the list, right? My favorite words to ban are the many variations of “brand” such as “branding” and “personal brand.”
Comment from b b
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:11 am
in re: the czar removal, czo far, czo good!
Comment from Nicole from Alaska
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:33 am
“You know what I’m Sayin” should be added to that list, you know what I’m sayin?
And OMG. I actually hear people saying OMG, newscasters, people on reality shows, business people.
Comment from Steve D
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:18 am
I’d like to see the word UPTICK banished. it’s an increase or an expansion and any one of 97 similar words found in the Thesaurus where I never could find downtick
Comment from Katrina
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:38 am
I only read through the most of the comments made by December 31st and then I skipped right to the end to leave my meaningless (and no doubt irritating, elitist, and/or just plain stupid depending upon the comments of anyone who’ll actually read it!) comments as well. As a Michigan resident who’s just not living there right now, I guess I can understand the condescension of those of you who chose to rant about this “unknown ‘community college’ in the middle of the ‘rust belt’” and the supposition that any college professors who allow such a horrific waste of a college student group’s time as simply deplorable. (Whew…that was hard for me…I’m sure for you as well!) Here’s the part that apparently you did NOT take the time to read. This list was created in 1975 ~yes the mid-70’s~ by a group on New Year’s Eve ~perhaps they had been partaking of some alcoholic beverages?~ and it has become somewhat of a little f-u-n tradition for those of us who think that words are FUN!
If you are one of those folks who think the whole thing is “elitist” please skip to the end of my comment and may you go on about your life unfettered by the complications which come from a diverse and LARGE vocabulary; as for those of you who are able to hear me while my tongue is firmly planted against my cheek….I’m one of those lucky people who loves words and the variety of words which we are blessed to have can be a whole lot of fun to play around with. In conversation, in letters, emails, anytime and all the time. The thing that bothers me the most are the seemingly sincere complaints from all the people who are now totally unable to chillax at all because someone dares to suggest that they’ve been using non-existent words which were created by people who were too lazy or just not clever enough to find a more appropriate term in the myraid sources available to them. I think that they ARE, however, clever enough to see what this suggests about themselves and THAT is the essence of their complaint. (Whew…I did it again…I don’t mean to usually, but I think that the whole “elitist” thing just inspired me to want to do that as often as I could!)
What I’m saying is ~To all of you who feel that Lake Superior State University is somehow threatening your Constitutional Rights? If you want something REAL to complain about go to a website where they list all the dumb laws that are still on the books. In these economic times, no one’s going to come and revoke your library card if you use these ridiculous words or phrases. They will not lock you up or take away your guns or deny you the right to decide what to do with your own body. People might laugh at you for using tired, worn-out crap when there are so many better ways to get your point across, but they are probably your own friends and family so, you’ll be accustomed to it. Get OVER yourselves and for God’s sake, go BUY a dictionary. You don’t have to pick up the $150 like I did. I really DO love words and that’s why I chose that version. But, you can probably get a fairly decent and somewhat comprehensive one inexpensively. Then, just for the heck of it, flip through a couple pages every once in a while. You might just be surprised to find all kinds of clever and amusing words and phrases that would be just funny as hell to use in a conversation with someone. They will wonder if whatever that word you just used was a curse or some sort of sick, sexual act and it was probably an obscure term for a skillet. Lighten up and learn how to have some fun with the language we’ve already got and for goodness’ sake, don’t join the crowds of people who think that if it can’t “fit on a two-inch” screen it’s just “too much” to bother with. Are we going to eventually de-volve to grunting and pointing again rather than even greater heights of use of language as an expression of any and everything that matters to us most?
P.S. Oh…and would you say that Silicone Breast Implants ought to now be considered “toxic assets”? Keep up the good work LSSU!
Comment from Jameson
Time: January 4, 2010, 2:19 am
This is probably one of the stupidest things I’ve ever read. Banning words because you’re sick of them? Suck it up and just avoid using the word. I am quite aware nobody is actually banning the word usage, but even this list is just a waste of time made of people who dont have enough real life problems so they fill that void with insignificant annoyances. As long as we live in a world where millions of people go hungry each night or dont have clean drinking water, it’s just pathetic that people are whining about a word the dont enjoy being used. So seriously, shut up.
Comment from Myron Pihut
Time: January 4, 2010, 2:19 am
A word long used for no apparent reason that should be banned is ‘expert’. Who is an expert anyway, or simply who knows better or more than anyone else? I believe no one is an expert because anybody can know anything if one wants to. Just because somebody know a little more statistics in a certain subject does not make them an expert just better read or possessing a better memory, wit, conversation, etc., etc..
Comment from leah
Time: January 4, 2010, 2:49 am
celebuspawn
Comment from Dee Healy
Time: January 4, 2010, 3:59 am
Shovel ready…………where do u guys get this from?
start at the beginning, not the end
I, agree with Jerry, the project is “ready”..get started,
(not shovel ready..r u gunna race out and bury someone),
ar u asking me to shovel out a big hole???)
Just tincey..but, just recently looking at a travel itineary, it’s quite frankly “arse about”
Comment from DaMom
Time: January 4, 2010, 4:57 am
Isn’t anyone beside me sick of “Let me be clear” or “Make no mistake”?
Comment from Andy H
Time: January 4, 2010, 5:25 am
I’d like to nominate “meme” to mean anything that someone saw on the internet and passed on to someone else. It drives me nuts. I’d like to think it drives Dawkins (who invented the word in the first place) nuts too, but who knows
Also “fail” when it’s not used as a verb.
Thanks.
Oh and thanks to all those commenters who got upset by the article. You made my first day back at work very enjoyable.
Comment from Dewin Cymraeg
Time: January 4, 2010, 5:51 am
The word ‘app’, shortened from ‘application’, has been used in software development for many years (for at least the 15 years I’ve been involved in development). I’ve always thought that it stems from the change in program design moving to a windows-environment from a text-based environment (although I may be wrong).
For example, you might write a program to calculate the first 100 primes; but you’d write an application that served as a text editor.
I suppose that the iPhone has popularised this use; but I don’t know why ‘app’ should be banned, but not ‘ad’ (as in advertisement).
Comment from SL
Time: January 4, 2010, 6:18 am
This list is as pointless as most of the words on it. Half the cited comments are just inane whining or cynical snipes with little justification other than personal preference.
While there are some good points made, they are overshadowed by the comments spouting ignorance or inaccuracy.
BTW, at the very least, do some quality control and clean up this comment:
“Just for the record, nothing’s too big to fail unless the government lets it.” Claire Shefchik, Brooklyn, NY.
It’s grammatically incorrect for its intended point.
It should be:
EVERYTHING is too big to fail unless the government lets it.
Or
Nothing is too big to fail unless the government PREVENTS it.
Comment from Ken
Time: January 4, 2010, 9:40 am
It happened again. I just read, “I could care less.”
ACK! It’s, “I could not care less.”
Half the population screws this one up.
Comment from Susan
Time: January 4, 2010, 9:58 am
My personal favourites (to hate) are “pop” as in “colours that make it pop,” and “wow-factor.” Just two of the many that make my hair stand on end.
Comment from Sara
Time: January 4, 2010, 10:31 am
While I agree people should try to engage in ‘intelligent’ speech, no institution has the right to decide whether a word or concept can or cannot be a part of everyday speech. Language is something that is constantly evolving. Contractions are added, bits of sentences are dropped. Today’s speech contains a lot of inferred words that are often left out of sentences, sometimes because they’re deemed unnecessary.
If you try to contradict the way the English language is changing in the world, pointing to a rigid example set in stone, you will quickly find yourself speaking a language of the past.
Comment from Pekay
Time: January 4, 2010, 10:54 am
“Supposably” - don’t they teach English grammar in school anymore? And “aks” in place of “ask.” As in, “I’m gonna go aks him myself.” One could take that as a threat to the third party.
Comment from negativevacuum
Time: January 4, 2010, 11:27 am
EDITED FOR TYPO
Okay, a little bit of critical thinking here, please. If we are going to ban(ish) a word, we need to have a suitable replacement. You can’t replace “tweet” and its variants without having a (potentially worse) generic for Twitter messages. App is, indeed, a decent abbreviation (as Michael) indicated.
In fact, most of the tech buzz words presented here are verbal orphans, and unfriending them is inviting worse rabble to fill their void.
Friend is (according to OED) an acceptable verb-form, along with befriend.
Seriously, guys; if you’re going to be word-czars, don’t be autocratic dick ‘taters (with humble apologies for any pun-ishment.)
Comment from Hyster
Time: January 4, 2010, 11:45 am
It is well past the time to retire the suffix “-gate”, when referring to the latest political (or other) scandal. How much longer must we live with this insipid reminder of Tricky Dick Nixon, his henchmen and their crimes against the Constitution at the Watergate Hotel.? It’s been almost 40 years, for crying out loud! I don’t recall the overuse of “Dome” during the forty years following the Teapot Dome scandal of Harding administration in 1921. This is one area that I really do fault the media - they need to come up with another way to make scandals sound clever or cute.
Comment from levicat
Time: January 4, 2010, 11:51 am
Now we have this on the table we can be on the same page moving forward.
Comment from Suzanne
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:18 pm
Ah yes, the beloved “teachable moments,” during which your boss provides you with an “improvement opportunity” or a challenge to “grow” emotionally. In my experience, this is followed with an announcement that merit increases have been suspended to protect my job (and my co-workers’). Protection generally lasts about two months–until our positions become redundant, and management demonstrates their generosity by letting us search for exciting new positions elsewhere.
Comment from Eva Pedersen
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:25 pm
CNN and other stations overuse this idiotic phrase when they tell us to “TAKE A LISTEN.” “Listen” is NOT a verb like “look”, so you can’t TAKE it, you morons!
Comment from Eva Pedersen
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:26 pm
Ending a sentence with a connector is stupid. However, one often hears this: “I am leaving now, so.” So?
Comment from sdl377
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:40 pm
“Absolutely” has become so overused in the last few years. Other pet peeves are ([superlative] on the planet”], and the pretentious foodie terms “reduction” and “ganache”
Comment from Hollie
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:47 pm
One abbreviation that really bothers me is “vaca” or “vacay” for “vacation”. If you use “vaca”, I’d think you’re planning a cow. Can’t someone use an entire word already?
Another term that should be eliminated is “green” to mean “environmentally friendly”. If I wanted a green car, I’d have it painted that color.
Comment from jjcguitar
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:53 pm
Can we ban the phrase “at the end of the day”? When I hear that said, I want to reply, “at the end of the day, it’s night”.
What happened to the tried and true “When all is said and done”?
Comment from SteveJ
Time: January 4, 2010, 12:56 pm
How about the pseudo-clever “Wall Street/Main Street” juxtaposition that politicians are so fond of using? (Not that we should look for originality in politicians, of course.)
Comment from bill seitles
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:07 pm
I am not in favor of banning words or people regardless of their miscreant deeds or behavior. It is all about recognizing the overuse of words and phrases that make it easier to communicate ones thoughts and feelings. I would draw your attention the following phrases as grossly overused and beaten to virtual death…
‘guess what..
‘having said that..
‘I’m just saying..
‘dude..
any reference to a woman’s derrier as ‘booty..
Comment from Heather
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:10 pm
As a pregnant woman, I’d like to nominate “deliver,” in the context of babies. Pizzas and mail are delivered; babies are birthed. “Delivery” seems to minimize the woman’s contribution to the process, especially since it is so often used in the passive sense - doctors and midwives do not “deliver” babies to mothers; women give birth, with the assistance of these professionals. This term seems to me to be an anachronism from a time when we didn’t discuss the messy details of birth in polite company, women were seen as passive participants (and often drugged accordingly, with or without their consent), and children were told that babies were delivered by storks.
Comment from Steve in NYC
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:20 pm
TOO BIG TO FAIL; besides the governement, who uses this phrase.. hookers?
Comment from Bucky Kattaz
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:22 pm
Historic. This is going to be ‘historic’ legislation. We are making history by passing this bill. This is a historic day for the American people. Etc., etc., etc.
It is overused by politicians and needs to be banned!! For me, it will be a historic day when politicians stop using this term.
Comment from Dick F
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:24 pm
I place in nomination for the 2011 list banning the suffix -GATE when used in reference to any scandal, government or otherwise. It was appropriate when used in reference to the incident that originated it - Watergate. Anyone using it when describing any other scandal should be forced to eat a roll of toilet paper.
Please consider my humble nomination for 2011.
Thank you.
Comment from ADave
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:36 pm
Can’t say I took the time to read through all the previous comments, but I will echo this sentiment (from those with a sense of humor) - Bravo LSSU for creating this list. I hope the Obamanians will appoint LSSU Word-czar. (Apologies.)
I would also like to lobby for one 2010 addition or inclusion for the 2011 list - LOL. Obviously this was an acronym, but I would argue it has evolved into a pseudo-word. I can think of no string of letters more offensively over-used or misused. For the sake of brevity, I’ll stop with that. Please feel free to refer to the following post for a more in depth argument.
http://adavenewworld.blogspot.com/2009/12/lol-must-die.html
Comment from Fred Gott
Time: January 4, 2010, 1:44 pm
Can we get rid of “moms” and “dads”? Do we not have mothers and fathers any more? Mom and Dad are names, not positions! Mother and Father are positions. I cringe daily when I hear “I’m a Mom” or “I’m a Dad”. No you’re not. You are a mother or a father! Nitpicking? Yes. But irritating to me.
Comment from Daniel
Time: January 4, 2010, 2:06 pm
Please, please, please add the word “de-plane” to your list!!!
Comment from Maurene Caplan Grey
Time: January 4, 2010, 2:15 pm
Ban “social media.” The term has been diluted to the point of old dishwater. Early on, it was called “participatory media”–a phrase that at least has purpose. One can’t be social without engagement. Wallflowers rarely get dates.
If by social media, you mean electronic communication–call it e-communication. If you mean participation, call it engagement or participatory media. If you mean community, call it community media. More importantly, separate the word “media”–which is a technology tool from the desired behavior outcome.
Comment from D Mck
Time: January 4, 2010, 2:19 pm
After spending much time with the extended family over the Holidays, here’s one I picked up from the ranks of my college graduate nephews who remain unemployed: “couch surfing”. As in “What are you going to do now that you’ve got your degree?” Typical response: “Oh, you know, like I’m just, like going to take some time and, like, couch surf ______________ (fill in the blank, e.g.: at home, with my buds in California, like, from school,etc.) Isn’t a couch surfer merely today’s version of a Hobo?
Comment from Terri B
Time: January 4, 2010, 3:16 pm
“at the end of the day” I wish I had a nickle, and it’s used everywhere!
Comment from tika
Time: January 4, 2010, 3:37 pm
SWAG and SWAGGER!! So sick of those two. But then again, i’m so old my “swag” is called “Charisma” so maybe that’s why I want it gone.
Comment from Edward
Time: January 4, 2010, 4:35 pm
It is obvious Obama and Joe have a bromance as evidenced by an email from Obama demanding a sexting app for the iPhone. He even tweeted about this on 1/1/2010 while chilaxing after a heavy night of drinking.
Now look, I have never used most of these terms however, I use twitter, because amtrack/metrolink both tweet about their schedule changes, but I guess thats not useful and they should stop. As far as ‘App’ goes, as a software developer I have been calling my applications that for a very long time, much longer than texting has been around.
I was under the impression that the English language adapts to new ideas. Thank you for showing me where your university stands.
Comment from Mark B
Time: January 4, 2010, 4:39 pm
Sorry, but this list needs a better language czar.
Some of the words are not overused jargon; they are simply new words that help us communicate better: tweet, friend and app, for instance, cannot be readily replaced, even if you’re tired of the things they describe. A “tweet” is a particular kind of text message; an “app” is a particular kind of software application; to “friend” is to use a particular kind of online invitation. Why banish new words that allow us to be specific, clear and concise?
“Sexting” is clever and to the point. “Transparency,” “stimulus” and “toxic assets” all seem perfectly good, and impossible to avoid without unnecessary wordiness, but that’s just me.
My nominee for 2010: “connect the dots,” which has become a cliche. What the phrase normally means: rigidly following a simple, prescribed path when drawing straight lines between points, eventually revealing a picture; what it actually intends to describe in current parlance: giving diplomatic, intelligence and law enforcement personnel more access to information and then allowing them to use hunches and common sense rather than cover-your-arse bureaucratic rules. “Connect the dots” is an epic fail. (Ooh, “epic fail” is a great one to banish, much more annoying than “tweet.”)
Comment from jws
Time: January 4, 2010, 5:17 pm
As to “Toxic Assets”, I fail to see how something you suffer from exposure to could be an asset to you. It is not an asset but a liability. Treating toxic to mean “worthless” (which is the other implication) negates the possibility that it is an “Asset” (which is to say, not worthless). I propose Toxic Liability.
Comment from stuart
Time: January 4, 2010, 5:46 pm
How about “Kudos!”? Kudos to those who suggested including variations of “Having said that…” (which the talking heads think sounds more intelligent than “However…” They also use the preface “Look…” as a bridge to a second sound bite before the director cuts to another head. “Robust” should be on the list, for sure. Also agree with Kayne who is annoyed by people ending sentences with “so…” and with those who find “honestly…” an eye roller. How about the Rudy Giuliani variation of “The fact of the matter”; campaigning, he began every response with, “The reality is…” These pieces of corp-speak can go away: “tee-up” and “circle back”. Sorry commenter CB, there are no degrees of “unique-ness.” This last one isn’t trendy; just annoying: “I thought to myself…”
Thanks for a fun list and great comments!
Comment from John
Time: January 4, 2010, 5:56 pm
I’d like to second “staycation” and nominate “broner.”
Comment from Lou
Time: January 4, 2010, 6:25 pm
How about athleticism… What is that?
Comment from MoMamma
Time: January 4, 2010, 6:29 pm
Oops, thought of another one: whenever a politico starts a sentance with “The truth of the matter is” you know it’s gonna be a lie!!
Comment from Patrick of San Francisco
Time: January 4, 2010, 6:51 pm
Until I saw the definition above, I thought “shovel-ready” referred to fully fermented bull-bleep that was ready to be foisted onto an unsuspecting audience, not unlike the talking points at certain politicians’ public appearances.
Comment from Greg Scott
Time: January 4, 2010, 7:22 pm
bad: “Concerning” when used as “worrisome” rather than “regarding”. (Sorry, I don’t know the proper way to describe this as an incorrect part of speech.) I hear this continually on the news, particularly on Fox News.
Comment from Mark B
Time: January 4, 2010, 8:13 pm
Re: jws’s comment about toxic assets: I love the coinage “toxic assets.” The obvious oxymoron is what makes it clever. Wall Street and mortgage companies treated these new products (Alt-A loans which became AAA-rated derivatives) as assets, when in fact the CDOs and swaps contained within them a deadly toxin that ended up killing the organism in which they thrived. They were assets only as long as there was a market, but the market died.
“Toxic assets” is a term that is immediately specific, complex, ironic and funny. A great use of the English language.
Comment from Regina
Time: January 4, 2010, 9:19 pm
I’m a contract technical writer and I can’t tell you how many times consulting firm recruiters have called and said, “I just wanted to reach out and ….” Since this buzz phrase has been around for several years, maybe we’ll see its replacement soon. One can only hope. On the other hand, I guess it’s more appropriate than “touch base,” since I’m really not their base.
Comment from Dan Pastor
Time: January 4, 2010, 9:28 pm
Normalcy. This should not require an explanation. That, and all words created through ignorance or laziness.
Comment from mb
Time: January 5, 2010, 12:57 am
Let’s get rid of the following words (phrases) as well -
baby mama
aks - whereas I ask questions
24/7 - Is anyone truly available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? - I think not!
what’s the 411? - most of the people that say this probably don’t realize where it originated
As far as historic events, are not all events that are finished, by definition, history - (i.e. last years Pres election was announced by the media as historic ) - Are not all pres elections historic? Some may have more significance to some people than others, but they are all part of history.
Comment from cindy
Time: January 5, 2010, 7:26 am
OMG should be banned. I see it in commercials, on t-shirts and hear it everywhere. It offends me as a Christian.
Comment from Lauren
Time: January 5, 2010, 8:47 am
Preggers
Comment from janeen
Time: January 5, 2010, 8:49 am
The word awesome should be used for what it meant to describe. God. Dictionary states: fear mingled with admiration or reverence; a feeling produced by something majestic. God and God alone is awesome. Stop using it to describe an activity you did.
Comment from Pamela Pugh
Time: January 5, 2010, 9:15 am
Great list of words you have here. There should be a word added that I hear way too much and it is meaningless to me. It is WHATSUP. The real term should be Hi-how are you or Hi how are you doing? This is the lazy mans way of talking by saying this horrible word that is a sign of ignorance and lazyness by whoever says the word. But overall a fantastic list that you people put out to educate the public on the internet. Thank you for this wonderful service for people to learn from.
Comment from Dr. Dan Muldoon
Time: January 5, 2010, 10:59 am
Thanks to those who submitted Twitter-related terms. They’re for the birds! For those who like this communications medium, fine; but it seems like everybody HAS to have it anymore. E-mail and even “SnailMail” is just fine with me!
Edward of Michigan and Kaylynn of Alberta nailed abbreviations and word combinations just great! My girlfriend and I are getting sick of “glam” among others. I didn’t know about the epidemic of allergies to syllables!
As for word combinations, a/k/a portmanteaux, I propose a moratorium of at least five years on portmanteaux or word blends. Shopportunity, webisode, frienemies. I feel like I’ve descended into portmanteau hell: it’s only a matter of time before Superman becomes the “Man of Carbiron” and someone sells water as “hydroxygen.” The practice isn’t bad (it’s brought us the word “smog” and other useful terms), just overused. Too much of anything….
A response to those protesting this list on freedom of speech grounds, the First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble…” The amendment makes no reference to Lake Superior State University. This list is not a law and has nothing to do with Congress.
Some folks like to say of offensive TV shows: “If you don’t like it, change the channel.” If you hate this list, click the “back” button on your browser. The one with the little green arrow on it, pointing to the left (your left). OK, one of my pet peeves is those who complain and carry on about complaining and carrying on.
The Banished Words List isn’t opposed to linguistic evolution, but an example of it. Surely folks have been grown weary of certain words and phrases before 1975. Some neologisms (newcomers) will survive, while those that become most annoying (hopefully) will go away.
Comment from Dr. Dan Muldoon
Time: January 5, 2010, 11:58 am
Smart: Marketing smart alecks have turned the word into a synonym for “innovative,” “high-tech,” or “automated.” Now we have smart phones, smart window glass, smart foods, smart fabric, even smart liposuction - now that smarts!
Comment from Art
Time: January 5, 2010, 12:33 pm
How about WTF, boots on the ground, at the end of the day? Actually, it wouldn’t hurt a bit to banish ANY words spoken by a politician.
Comment from William J. del Valle-Font
Time: January 5, 2010, 12:41 pm
Brava Katrina from January 4th. I too love words and actually collect the $150.00+ dictionaries, which I do use for word research and self improvement. Starting with the Oxford Dictionary of the English Language & including Latin, French, Spanish plus several other foreign languages all the way down to the almost yearly releases of Websters’ marketing assortments. I guess that makes me a total undesirable pedant, and to top that; English is not even my first language!
Comment from Richard Shoupe
Time: January 5, 2010, 2:24 pm
I enjoy your lists and the effort to poke fun at overused words and phrases. Personally, I don’t mind the techno-jargon and new slang. I feel they can be useful modes of expression.
There is one phrase, however, that is overdo for banishment. It is prevalently used even among those who should know better (television news reporters and, paticularly, sports announcers). “I’ve got”, “he’s got”, “They’ve got” is simply abominable english. it would seem that most in our current society aren’t even aware of that fact.
Please bring this unforgivable abuse of the language to the public’s attention next year.
Comment from Michael C.
Time: January 5, 2010, 2:49 pm
You can’t stop the English language from evolving and adapting to the changing world. This list is too overbearing to be funny and too disconnected to be relevant.
Comment from Fran
Time: January 5, 2010, 4:29 pm
I vote to ban the word literally.
Literally, everyone uses this word to describe literally every event that’s ever literally happened in their life. Literally.
Sick of it!
Comment from Tom Fitzpatrick
Time: January 5, 2010, 6:22 pm
I can’t believe “At the end of the day” hasn’t made the list yet! You have a bunch of nominations in the previous comments. It’s used everywhere - politics, sports, etc.
In the past you had “Going Forward” … now that’s been replaced by the equally annoying “Moving Forward.” Heck, that’s even a Toyota commercial!
“Perfect!” Everything is perfect! these days. Watch HGTV or Food Network for a half hour … you could have a drinking game based on the number of perfects! uttered. It’s everywhere … perfect pass, perfect catch, perfect solution …. I can’t believe there’s so much perfection in the world today!
How have you missed “Pretty Much.”??? This phrase is pretty much everywhere now. In print, as a way of agreeing with someone, pretty much everywhere!!
A new creeping Meme is starting a sentence with “Worst Case Scenario, ….”
Thanks for keeping this list! It’s fun to laugh at our language. After all, at the end of the day, it is what it is, pretty much. Perfect!
Comment from Cyndi
Time: January 5, 2010, 6:55 pm
I love reading your list every year! Equally entertaining is reading the comments from those who complain about and criticize it! Lighten up!
Comment from Tammy
Time: January 5, 2010, 7:23 pm
lets ban PHYSICALITY and MUSICALITY. The first one was coined by wrestlers………and now everyone is adding “ality” to all kinds of words. I HATE IT.
Comment from Blair R
Time: January 5, 2010, 8:13 pm
Have we done in ‘exacerbate’ yet?
Seems like this should have been three years ago.
Maybe I missed it.
Comment from John
Time: January 5, 2010, 10:02 pm
After reading the 2009 list, I had to read the 2010 list. My personal favorites are tweet, sexting, and chilaxing. My response to those who ask me if I read their tweet, I just look at them an laugh. Sexting is just down right stupid, just go have sex, enough of the foreplay already?!? Chilaxing is my favorite, whenever I call a friend and ask what their doing, and I get the chilaxing response, I kindly hang up.
Comment from George Fisher
Time: January 5, 2010, 11:27 pm
It’s some years since we corresponded, but currently my two pet hates are:
“in terms of”, as if one said What’s the time, in terms of hours and minutes. In other words, the words are entirely unnecessary
AND
“going forward”, beloved of the financial sector. They never seem to want to move sideways or backwards! Again, entirely unncessary.
Keep up the good work!
Comment from Anna
Time: January 6, 2010, 12:57 am
You’re right. This Obamanation is certainly Obaminable.
Comment from Zeke
Time: January 6, 2010, 1:19 am
Since “shovel-ready” was just tossed out we’ve been reduced to using “good-to-go” until it is hopefully made gone on next year’s list.
Comment from BlackTiger
Time: January 6, 2010, 2:25 am
I generally agree with the list - but must disagree on one point: there is a place for “Teachable Moment.”
Why?
A “lesson” is useless if it is forced down someone’s throat (Think about those classes you TRULY HATED in High School!). It gets worse if the “student” does not see WHY they need to learn it. It gets treated as “useless” - even if it isn’t.
A “teachable moment” is when a Lesson is READY to be heard, received, and acted upon by the student. That’s a Big difference, especially in the Final Results!
IMNSHO, of course.
Comment from Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha
Time: January 6, 2010, 7:54 am
I am in Africa, i work in Communications, PR and media. Lately i have taken a keen interest on human relations. the words listed here make it fascinating to analyse human relations, communication and clashes. I am interested in getting further update and information about this. please keep me posted.
Comment from Tony H
Time: January 6, 2010, 8:16 am
I dont’ understand why “app” should be on the ban list. It is just like other abbreviations, e.g. “fridge”. “Application” is merely abbreviated to for convenience in small electronic device and the abbreviation is actually there for a reason.
Comment from Bruce MacLeod
Time: January 6, 2010, 9:58 am
Please include the phrase “At the end of the day”. We all know what happens at the end of the day.
It gets dark!!!!!
Comment from Gerald
Time: January 6, 2010, 10:24 am
Get rid of the word “redonkulous”
Comment from Bill Brennen
Time: January 6, 2010, 10:36 am
You forgot the “pre” words, for example:
prearranged
preboarding
also
previously recorded
full potential,
podium instead of lectern,
final destination,
road work “ahead” vs road work “behined”, where else would it be, but ahead?
concrete vs cement (which is an ingredient of concrete) therefore, concrete trucks, not cement trucks.
Comment from Jon
Time: January 6, 2010, 12:23 pm
I think “bipartisan” should be on the list. How stupid of an idea is that? Two fundamentally different arguments, both in perception and practice, expected to share the same desired outcome…its just silly! That’s the whole point of having a congress and a debate. The outcome will never be “bipartisan” because different locations require different considerations.
Comment from jpd
Time: January 6, 2010, 1:40 pm
How about adding the usage of the single word “This” as a form of agreement / endorsement, which is increasing at an alarming rate. E.g:
Comment By User X: [Opinion stated very succinctly].
Comment By User Y: This. Blah blah blah, blah blah blah.
Comment from velvel
Time: January 6, 2010, 4:04 pm
Czars (or, if you want to be a pain, tsars) helped my grandparents decide that Russia and environs were unsafe and encouraged them to come to the USA in 1906.
Will the Tsars (hired by the President but not investigated by our spineless Senators) of 43 and 44 cause us to want to go somewhere else?
By the way, when did the employment department become “human relations?” Does this mean that prior to the renaming companies hired other than humans?
Comment from kaite
Time: January 6, 2010, 4:24 pm
i think this word list is plain stupid. and would take away the 1st admendment to freedom of speech. i mean i’m pretty sure there are much worse words that should be ‘banned’.
Comment from xtran81
Time: January 6, 2010, 5:24 pm
Has ‘ like’ appeared on the list?
I am tired of teenagers saying, ‘ it’s like..crazy..it’s like..weird….I am like..what?’
Time to dis-like.
Comment from NH
Time: January 6, 2010, 6:42 pm
You sad, sad people making these lists of words you happen to dislike.
My new New Year’s Resolution is to try to use all these words and phrases in public as much as possible over the coming year. Childish? Petty? Maybe, but no more so than this list-making.
Thankfully you people are just venting really aren’t you? You have no real say over the continually evolving living language that is English. Why don’t you pathetic language-haters go and obsess over something dead like Latin?
Comment from Earl Gustafson
Time: January 6, 2010, 7:46 pm
I suggest for the next annual list the verb “shutter” (as in the permanent closing of a business, enterprise, factory). At least in Wisconsin, journalists and broadcasters no longer seem to think enterprises ever close, close their doors, fail, terminate or cease operations, collapse, disappear, go under, go belly up or hang it up. They now are always “shuttered.” A descriptive, evocative term initially - but its now ubiquitous use is becoming old. Thanks for considering this suggestion.
Comment from Crystal Quartz
Time: January 6, 2010, 8:13 pm
I would like to see “EPIC” and “FML” to be banished!
They are both overused and trendy. Now I hear or read a status that people are watching an “EPIC movie” or “have overdue movie fees FML.”
They have lost the meaning now.
Comment from Tsar the Czar
Time: January 6, 2010, 11:11 pm
So your seriously telling me that there are people with nothing other to do but sit around, and pick on words that people use daily. Which no matter what they say about banning Words that are still going to be in use by people everyday. There’s a lot more important things in the U.S and world to attempt to say your succesful at or be succesful in. Who cares about the words your tired of hearing. I’m tired of politicians blowing (guess your tired of hearing blowing money to huh?) tax dollars on personal gain. How about war tired of that word yet oh how about poverty or drug abuse. Why can’t people care about things that matter? Child abuse, spouse abuse or are those personal issues like choice of words, omg, I’m a Czar chillaxin, bout to friend some peolpe. WTF banning words really? Just when you thought the world couldn’t get any lower you find a new way of control. Yea I hope this is just for fun. Czar’s out bout to chillax holla lol, lmao, too crzy
Comment from tone
Time: January 7, 2010, 6:34 am
In the UK politicians and other public figures often over use the words ‘clearly’ and ‘in truth’ to prefix their slimy utterings and lawyers often prefix their slimy utterings with ‘compelling evidence’ when the evidence in fact is paper thin. I think that this site is doing a great job, please keep it up.
Comment from ruinsagain
Time: January 7, 2010, 7:24 am
Please add “warfighter” to your list next year? I believe “warrior” has been sufficient for many years?
Comment from CARL FORSE
Time: January 7, 2010, 10:59 am
Here’s my two choices (if they were not already mentioned) “awesome” and “think outside the box.”
Comment from debrainkansas
Time: January 7, 2010, 2:25 pm
Of late, the word “czar” has been used by Republicans who mean to imply that an upper echelon government bureaucrat, one presumably appointed by President Obama, is yet another cog in the supposed socialist wheel of the federal government. Ironically, for the educated the word “czar” connotes quite the opposite of socialism much less communism.
Comment from R Rudd
Time: January 7, 2010, 5:27 pm
Reteewt, Gniteewt
Sometimes things will be clearer when you look back
If you are allowed to
Comment from Dot Billinger
Time: January 7, 2010, 6:21 pm
I’d like to add “going forward” to the excellent list of “should be banned”. Whenever there’s a new plan or idea or initiative, it’s always “going forward”. Of course, would we “go backward”?
Comment from Ted Thompson
Time: January 7, 2010, 11:56 pm
My overused term has to be the bane of every football fan- college or pro. “Dial up” in every possible tense. It seems that every color commentator has teams “dialing up the intensity,” “dialing up the pressure,” and the favorite “dialing up the blitz.” I’d like to see them “dial up” the trash man to take that phrase to the landfill.
Comment from Peter
Time: January 8, 2010, 12:56 am
I’m tired of the overused phase they use on disaster shows or environomental shows and speeches, “It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when.”
Comment from Have a Life
Time: January 8, 2010, 9:47 am
I would have never thought that there were as many people out there that really need to get a life, Why can’t people care about things that matter?
Comment from timb
Time: January 8, 2010, 10:14 am
I know this didn’t make the list, since it’s not in wide use, but “ovenable” was recently brought to my attention. Used on some take-out food packaging, it indicates the contents as well as the package can be heated in the oven, though presumably at low temps. What about “oven-safe” or “safe for oven use”.
My take out pizza boxes have been “ovenable” for years now.
@Tsar the Czar… wish you really could relax and see the list for what it is. As you can probably see from the top right side of this web page, the list isn’t something brand new. Lighten up. It’s a commentary about words or terms that enter the lexicon and become overused to the point of being annoying. As someone who enjoys and appreciates the English language, I think the list is an hilarious commentary. Now go chillax for real.
Comment from MC
Time: January 8, 2010, 3:27 pm
Please add ridonculous to this list…Who comes up with this?
Comment from Steve Hatch
Time: January 8, 2010, 5:43 pm
When commenting on just about any issue of the day, politcians of all stripes can’t seem to help themselves by adding a totally superfluous “going forward.” And to top it off, they must add “at the end of the day,” which replaced the equally overworked “bottom line.”
All three phrases replace the need to think or say anything original, something most of our politicians have a difficult time with anyway.
Comment from WL
Time: January 9, 2010, 12:10 am
I’m surprised “funemployment” didn’t make the list. Lack of a steady paycheck should take the fun out of any form of unemployment.
Comment from Bob in Texas
Time: January 9, 2010, 10:48 am
It’s a great list but your missing one. “Going forward” a pseudo intellectual nonsense used by politicians in a vain attempt to appear brighter then they are.
Come to think of it there’s one more, “hardworking Americans”. Talk about an oxymoron. It’s just political pandering that I find patronizing and demeaning.
Comment from Gibby
Time: January 9, 2010, 2:31 pm
How about referring to a microphone as a “mic” instead of a “mike”? Where did that cute term originate? It really irks me to read that.
Comment from Scott SMith
Time: January 9, 2010, 5:50 pm
“Issue” as in, “I have an issue with that idea”. I have issues too, old issues of Sports Illustrated collecting dust under the cofe table.
“Closure” as in “We need to reach closure on this issue”. Somehow, this word only needs to be used when talking about the movement of doors and window, or tossed completely.
Comment from A J H
Time: January 9, 2010, 11:58 pm
I dont quite understand this is this not just another form of censorship? i mean as far as app is concerned it is faster then saying application and program and i mean the world today is on a 2 inch screen for most so really what harm is it doing? now i leave you with my favorite word meh nothing i can do about it.
Comment from Bernard G
Time: January 11, 2010, 7:05 am
Ban the words UP TO in advertisement. Up To 5% can be zero. No one every gets 5%. When you see those words it means that someone is lying to you.
Comment from Hal
Time: January 11, 2010, 8:04 am
An entire generation seems to think they invented shorthand ‘word’ such as app. As someone already mentioned, App has been around long before Apple people started using it. IM, IRC, bulletin boards, usenet and ‘Apps’ to use them almost required shorthand to a short way to communicate - now this has moved to Twitter. We may not like (or understand) these so-called words, but don’t bet on them going away.
Comment from Jonas Quimby
Time: January 11, 2010, 8:52 am
I’m amazed at the number of posters here without a sense of humor and who don’t understand “tongue-in-cheek,” but I suppose vitriol is what passes for public discourse these days.
Personally, I’d like to ban: “He had came over” or “She had went shopping” because it’s bad grammar. (It should be: “He had come over” or “He came over”; “She had gone shopping” or “She went shopping.”)
Comment from Gster
Time: January 11, 2010, 9:32 am
props: ’nuff said.
Comment from Stephanie
Time: January 11, 2010, 3:22 pm
How about Staycation?
Comment from Mike
Time: January 11, 2010, 8:06 pm
How about “clear(ly)” (used by lawyers and other advocates constantly, it usually means the subject is anything but), expert (how can there be so many legions of experts and yet so much disagreement), and “exclusive(ly)” proclaimed ad nauseum by the news media to proclaim their importance and imagined superiority.
Comment from Marc Bechtol
Time: January 12, 2010, 3:30 pm
Toxic assets are not assets at all; they are liabilities. Assets have value, liabilities…not so much. And while we are banishing phrases, how about “Not so much”.
Comment from Barbara. Killick
Time: January 12, 2010, 6:45 pm
My hackles go up when the 2 R’s are used particularly by politicians - robust and rigor. Robust used to be about being healthy rather than about budgets, responses and strategies and rigor was usually used with rigor mortis.
Comment from Ling
Time: January 13, 2010, 11:11 am
I can see that some of the words you have listed over the years are simply silly and useless. But there are also many that are very creative, even colorful. They can be very handy in describing things, people, or situations that alternatives are just not adequate in replacing them. Sure, some people are annoyed by others using these words in their presence. But life is not fair. Besides, you can’t just ask us to banish all these words without suggesting good substitutes. The way you are going, banishing without substitution, we’ll be forced to converse in very dull and bland fashion before long.
Comment from Patty Moore
Time: January 13, 2010, 5:06 pm
I wish we could add “back in the day” to the list of trite and overused phrases.
Comment from Doris Reidy
Time: January 13, 2010, 7:56 pm
How about “quit” as a noun: “Blah-percent of smokers were quit at the end of six months.”
Comment from SusanLinda
Time: January 14, 2010, 4:45 pm
No linguists here. Language is a living creative process, a primary expression of human beings, one of the defining characterics of a human being. It isn’t static. New expressions and words are constantly being created and used. Sometimes clever expressions and words are repeated and become popular, most often because they express well a thought that many people have. If a word or expression endures, it is usually because it is very useful. Words and expressions which are no longer useful fall away on their own. The entire concept of this silly list shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature and process of language. I think that encouraging linguistic creativity is much more fun than trying to stiffle it.
PS: Doris Reidy: “Quit” is used in your example sentence as a predicate adjective, not a noun.
Comment from Kevin Wood
Time: January 15, 2010, 11:27 am
The U.S. government now has so many czars, I think it is high time they appointed a ‘czars czar’ to oversee them all.
Comment from Julie
Time: January 16, 2010, 1:03 pm
I’m sooo glad app got on this list. My friend was making fun of this the other day and said “you gotta take a c**p theres an app for that!” Too funny!
Comment from Pam O’Connor
Time: January 16, 2010, 6:12 pm
How about, “and your point is?” Just writing it makes my blood boil! Pay attention for two seconds and you just might get my point!
Comment from Adam Hollett
Time: January 16, 2010, 10:09 pm
“On a go-forward basis” should really be, at a minimum, nominated.
Comment from iPod Car Accessories
Time: January 17, 2010, 9:26 am
On the comment from Louise - ” ” nO hOMO” Overused ”
No, it’s definetly not overused, homophobia is at an all-time high!
And I hate “bromance”… stupid!
Comment from lists2day
Time: January 17, 2010, 6:25 pm
Why dont they add the word “solutions” which (like STIMULUS) has been used by all IT companies, research and consultancy agencies, and even home decor stores.
Also. the word “perhaps” which is said by many people when they can’t add anything to what has been said.
Comment from Pat Zietlow Miller
Time: January 17, 2010, 8:46 pm
Great list! Although there were a few words on it I had never heard before. For future lists, I’d nominate “granular,” which only is OK if you’re talking about sugar, and a new term I just heard, “pull value.”
Comment from Sam Domenico
Time: January 19, 2010, 10:50 am
“connect the dots” should be limited to 6 year-olds with crayons.
Comment from KT
Time: January 20, 2010, 11:31 am
Good list.
Please add “lawyered-up”. Can’t watch the news anymore without hearing this moronic phrase.
Comment from Jack W
Time: January 20, 2010, 1:47 pm
We are so happy that LSSU is there to “man up” for the English language and its usage at least once a year. I know “we can do this!” May those who oppose us be “kicked to the curb,” if not “thrown under the bus!”
Comment from drora kemp
Time: January 21, 2010, 6:16 pm
vis-a-vis
synergy
proactive
24/7
Have not met anyone using those who is not a pompous jerk.
drora.
Comment from Jay
Time: January 22, 2010, 3:46 pm
Wow, a “banished words list”? Really? First off, over-opinionated people want to “banish” words and phrases that have become everyday use for many people. Face it, the world has changed! Do I agree with a lot of the changes? Absolutely not! Do I use a lot of these terms? Absolutely not; but for a University to create a list to banish particular words seems kind of waste of time. More effectively I find the “words not allowed on TV/Radio” more put to use than going over a list like this.
It just seems kind of ridiculous in itself to create a list on something ridiculous. I would think a University would want to better apply its resources to something a little bit more productive.
New lingo, jargon, and slang comes about all the time- it apparently keeps newer generations feeling as if they are accomplishing something on their own. I still don’t agree with that, but that’s just how it is. I was banned from watching MTV growing up, and I just refuse to nowadays (to include most all TV shows except educational shows) due to how ridiculous it has gotten to be. If an unintelligent person is allowed to have their own show on a channel that promotes unintelligent people, what kind of example is that giving newer generations anyway?
Back to the subject at hand, some of the comments in this list should not even be considered anyway as their opinions do not seem to be placed in fact but rather on how annoyed they are with the usage of the term. To me, that doesn’t make sense unless there is a FACT-based analogy of its misuse or offensive history. App, for example- how is a person going to be upset with an abbreviation? Do you realize how many abbreviations there are in the world? Seriously, I guess we should stop using abbreviations everywhere, like ASAP, AM/PM, Mr/Mrs/Ms- oh wait, that one has a history of a woman being “in possession” of a Mr, maybe we shouldn’t use that one either.
Seriously, this was a complete waste of time, and I had a few minutes to waste to give my 2 cents. Maybe we can get on with our lives and learn to adapt and keep living and progressing instead of complaining about everything.
Comment from Ed Bernardin
Time: January 22, 2010, 6:12 pm
Regarding the “Obama” words, everyone seems to have left out “Obamanation” which is an…obamanation.
Comment from Snowcat
Time: January 26, 2010, 12:37 pm
I think the term “watchful waiting” should be banned from the English language. The term is used far too often when medical personnel don’t know how to treat your ailment. OK, let me suffer a little longer!
Comment from Richard C
Time: January 26, 2010, 7:20 pm
Good list. It needed “unsustainable” to make it a great list. In 2009 it was both overused and frequently used inappropriately.
For consideration for the next list I offer manufactured words ending in “-ism”, “-ity” and “-iosity”. As examples I refer to a news commentator speaking of Mrs. Obama’s ”athleticism” and other commentators discussing various peoples’ “religiosity”. (Okay, spell check likes them, but my ear still doesn’t
Comment from jim
Time: January 27, 2010, 9:34 am
“Transparent/transparency” Ever hear the word “Glasnost”?
“App” Would you rather say “application program”?
“Sexting” If “sexting” is bad, why is “mash-up” better?
“Friend as a verb” I like it! “Befriend” is archaic!
“Teachable moment” It isn’t the moment that is teachable.
“Too big to fail” Actually means “Too big to allow to fail”.
“Chillaxin” I’m tired of “GenYers”.
Comment from Wysard
Time: January 28, 2010, 4:39 am
Funny .. on the list “tweet”, though I agree - the American Dialect Society named tweet word of the year for 2009.
Comment from Laurie Knechtel
Time: January 29, 2010, 8:21 pm
“Transparency” is to the naughties as “full disclosure” was to the eighties. When this word gets axed another will simply replace it. How about we combined them? “Transclosure”. There, done.
Comment from Cointreau
Time: January 30, 2010, 1:51 am
As always, this year’s list is great. The commenters have also brought up some great possibilities for next year’s list. My favourite from the comments is “casual overtime.” It sounds so delightfully fun…except for the unpaid overtime aspect.
With every good list, though, comes a frenzy of opposition, which goes something like this:
You elitists have no write to criticize grammer! Its in the Constitution that people have the right to freedom of speech, so leave these word’s alone! Haven’t you read 1984? And anyway, you can’t tell me what to do, so I’ll use these words even more.
In response:
1) There’s a difference between elitists and people who want to have some fun by pointing out how ridiculous some people sound while conversing in a barely intelligible conversation.
2) Grammar, not grammer.
3) It’s, not its.
4) No, it’s in the Bill of Rights. Have you read the Constitution?
5) Doesn’t freedom of speech also cover things like a list of banished words?
6) Words, not word’s.
7) Yes, I wrote my master’s thesis on 1984. What Orwell described isn’t remotely close to this list. He discussed trying to shape people’s thoughts by removing words, not trying to make people sound less boorish. In fact, the Newspeak in 1984 relies on combining words to form new words. Doesn’t it seem a little strange to you to invoke Orwell’s opposition to this type of speech in your defence of bromance, chillax, and sexting?
8) Of course this list isn’t going to change the world. I can’t imagine that anybody reads the list and immediately agrees to stop using the words. Yes, you’ll still use the words. You’ll continue to sound asinine, though.
Comment from Cheryl
Time: January 30, 2010, 9:56 am
Great list, and funny comments!
I despise the word “irregardless”. It is NOT irregardless. It’s regardless. You don’t say regardless regardless, which would just mean regard. STOP Please people - just say regardless!
Photoshopped has also become a verb, as in “Madonna has been so photoshopped in that magazine spread that it doesn’t even look like her.”
Word mashups can be useful - for instance there are no longer news reporters; there are “infobabes”, and I call reality TV (and I use the term reality loosely here) “irritainment” - it’s so annoying it’s entertaining.
Just like these lists.
Comment from Scott Thornton
Time: February 4, 2010, 1:03 pm
What does Bromance mean?
Comment from Steven Sella
Time: February 4, 2010, 9:37 pm
My nominations for you next list:
1. AT
More and more sentances are ending with AT. “Where are you AT? Where did you get that AT? Where should I pick that up AT?”
2. SAVED JOBS
Political BS at its best. They think most of us are morons. Perhaps they are correct.
Comment from Susan
Time: February 5, 2010, 2:55 pm
The new words, phrases, combinations, and abbreviations are signs that our language is alive, healthy, and growing. Overuse gets annoying, but the creation of new words is a good sign for a language. We’re still alive!
p.s. Low hanging fruit just means the fruit that’s easiest to get to; using it as an image refers to getting the easy or obvious stuff out of the way first.
Comment from Rob
Time: February 5, 2010, 4:13 pm
I’m surprised the fluff-minded, stop-gap expression used by politicians and media yappers, “at the end of the day,” hasn’t made the master list yet. I scream every time I hear it, and the more pseudo-serious the speaker is, the more I react!
Comment from pete nizer
Time: February 5, 2010, 4:28 pm
Can we stop replacing the “short” a with o already.More and more I’m hearing ” I have to fill my car with gos “, not gas or ” I have to pay my toxes “,( not taxes ).You sound like idiots,and you’re driving me crazy,so get real.
Comment from Sam
Time: February 6, 2010, 12:05 am
Well, to begin, “no worries”, a silly, yet demeaning expression, simply has to go. It is usually spoken to imply that the other person was in fact worried about something which was discussed; and to try to victimize the person; and, out of real insecurity, attempt to end the conversation and avoid the person. It is trite, ridiculous and rude.
Comment from Vanessa
Time: February 6, 2010, 9:25 am
Perhaps the word “Tweeple” deserves its own mention. Yes its twitter-related, but at least “tweet and twitter” refer to something real. Why can’t we just be people?
Comment from Geo
Time: February 7, 2010, 1:38 pm
surreal - ban this word
Comment from Vanessa
Time: February 9, 2010, 9:24 pm
Another suggestion: “Mix it up,” as in, “Why don’t you mix it up with some such and such…” That one has been around for a while. It is not cute.
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