Traditions

With monetary references of less than $5. Such small change is meaningless during present state of inflation. “Pennies from Heaven,” for example, is excluded, but “I Found a Million Dollar Baby in a Five and Ten cents Store” is allowed if cents is changed to “dollars” which is also more realistic. – Everett Hoffman, New York City

Quoted from Gentlemen’s Quarterly, September 1989. – Bill Gould, Gladwin, Michigan

“Is it truly a new concept, like jazz, pop, country, etc., or is it an alternative to something? Alternative to what?” – Beverly Meyers, Pickford, Michigan

“Oh, really? Not just some of the time?” – John Rosevear, Milford, Michigan

2012 reasons:
“Received the most nominations. LSSU was surprised at the number of nominations this year for “amazing” and surprised to find that it hadn’t been included on the list in the past. Many nominators mentioned over-use on television when they sent their entries, mentioning “reality” TV, Martha Stewart and Anderson Cooper. It seemed to bother people everywhere, as nominations were sent from around the US and Canada and some from overseas, including Israel, England and Scotland. A Facebook page – “Overuse of the Word Amazing” – threatened to change its title to “Occupy LSSU” if ‘amazing’ escaped banishment this year…

“It’s amazing that you haven’t added that word to your list over the years. Totally, absolutely, really amazing. Not quite astounding, but still amazing.” – Charles Attardi, Astoria, New York

“Although I am extremely happy to no longer hear the word ‘awesome’ used incorrectly and way too often, it appears to me it is quickly being replaced with ‘amazing.’ Pay attention and you will no doubt be amazingly surprised to find that I am right.” – Gregory Scott, Palm Springs, California

“People use ‘amazing’ for anything that is nice or heartwarming. In other words, for things that are not amazing.” – Gitel Hesselberg, Haifa, Israel

“Every talk show uses this word at least two times every five minutes. Hair is not ‘amazing.’ Shoes are not ‘amazing.’ There are any number of adjectives that are far more descriptive. I saw Martha Stewart use the word ‘amazing’ six times in the first five minutes of her television show. Help!” – Martha Waszak, Lansing, Michigan

“Banish it for blatant overuse and incorrect use…to stop my head from exploding.” – Paul Crutchfield, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom

“The word which once aptly described the process of birth is now used to describe such trivial things as toast, or the color of a shirt.” – JP, Comox, British Columbia, Canada

“Anderson Cooper used it three times recently in the opening 45 seconds of his program. My teeth grate, my hackles rise and even my dog is getting annoyed at this senseless overuse. I don’t even like ‘Amazing Grace’ anymore. – Sarah Howley, Kalamazoo, Michigan

“The word has been overused to describe things only slightly better than mundane. I blame Martha Stewart because to her, EVERYTHING is amazing! It has lost its ‘wow factor’ and has reached ‘epic’ proportions of use. It’s gone ‘viral,’ I say! ‘I’m just sayin’!’- Alyce-Mae Alexander, Maitland, Florida

2023 reasons:
“Not everything is amazing; and when you think about it, very little is,” a dissenter explained. “This glorious word should be reserved for that which is dazzling, moving, or awe-inspiring,” to paraphrase another, “like the divine face of a newborn.” Initially banished for misuse, overuse, and uselessness in 2012. Its cyclical return mandates further nixing of the “generic,” “banal and hollow” modifier—a “worn-out adjective from people short on vocabulary.”

There is nothing wrong with these words, but they are being overused, particularly by restaurant critics and architects (and such usage tends to be pompous).

“These politicians in Congress say ‘the American People’ as part of what seems like every statement they make! I see that others have noticed it, too, as various websites abound, including an entry on Wikipedia.” – Paul M. Girouard, St. Louis, Missouri

“No one in Washington can pontificate for more than two sentences without using it. Beyond overuse, these people imply that ‘the American people’ want/expect/demand all the same things. They don’t.” – Dick Hilker, Loveland, Colorado

“Aren’t all Americans people? Every political speech refers to the ‘American’ people as if simply saying ‘Americans’ (or ‘people’) is not enough.” – Deb Faust, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Best-laid mayhem. “This means some accidents need to happen, for whatever reason, I can’t figure.” — Thomas Price, Orlando, Flordia

“As in ‘an historic moment.’ Commonly used by news people (print and broadcast). It’s wrong! If this abuse is allowed to continue, the next sound you hear from me will be an hiss!” – Jim Wiljanen, Dewitt, Michigan

Chirped by nurses in blinding white uniforms. Kay Psyk, DeSoto, Wisconsin points out that “this phrase is not in general used by younger members of the profession.”

Received the most nominations of the words and phrases that came out of the presidential election. From political ads to auto parts…

“What started in political ads is spiraling out of control.” – Jim Blashill, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

“I’ve heard three local car commercials where the morons use that phrase!” – John Venezia, Colorado Springs, Colorado

“Would a political candidate approve a message they did not agree with?” – John Gorsline, Albuquerque, New Mexico

“I’m Kristina and I approve this nomination.” – Kristina, Granite City, Illinois

“The merchant’s way of giving you something “value-added.” “Every merchant offers carpets, flooring, and more. Can we envision baskets, caskets, and more? Need I say less?” – Ray of Willard, Ohio

“Goods and services no longer have limits! Everything marketed can be something else! ‘It’s a hamburger meal, but it’s much, much more…It’s a time machine, too!” – Mark of Kanata, Ontario, Canada

“The former hit TV show ‘thirtysomething’ convinced half of the U.S. population that they are victims of ‘angst’ or just ‘angst-ridden.’ Enough with the ANGST already. It’s making me anxious. Get rid of it. And banish the variations on the theme ‘thirtysomething’ while you’re at it. I’m tired of ‘ fortysomething,’ ‘teenagesomething.’ ‘somethingsomething’ has to give.” – Tom Rademacher, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Stems from when TV newscasts began using new doppler weather radar. Now ‘doppler-fication’ has become a badge of excellence with local newscasts, regardless of whether it involves weather. Even the stations are amused by it. The Morning Crew at YES-FM in Sault Ste. Marie predicts sweet forecasts with its “Hobbler-Dobbler-Peach-Cobbler.”

Claire Rynders of Madison, Wisconsin, asks, “If my TV station uses ‘Doppler 2001,’ does that mean weather forecasts are more accurate because it has bigger doppler?”

“Get rid of it. Ban it. No one knows how to use it. It is a possessive code mark, not an expression or a word. You cannot purchase 24’s of Apple Crisp or 12’s of your favorite cold capsule. There are no do’s; there are don’t’s. There are no MD’s with special training, nor are there CD’s all in one case. Clothiers do not sell sock’s nor do jewelers deal in 1000’s of items. You might as well banish the apostrophe. Too few Americans have the slightest idea how to use one.”

“If apartments can rent, why hire managers?” Nell Gaball, Marquette, Michigan

“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, Michigan

“Is there an ‘app’ for making this annoying word go away? Why can’t we just call them ‘programs’ again?” – Kuahmel Allah, Los Angeles, California

Michele Mooney – of Los Angeles, California. Book Editor art Seidenbaum noted on one of the pages, “Appalling, indeed.” Collection assembled over seven months. – stapled to her letter of nomination more than eight pages of sentences and paragraphs which she had clipped from newspapers (mostly, Los Angeles Times) which included “obviously,” 205 times and “appalling,” 132. She complains that this “shows a total lack of imagination on the part of the writers.” As you may deduce, we, too, are distressed.

As in “he died of an apparent heart attack.” It’s “he apparently died of a heart attack.” (Ed.: If the attack were apparent, someone should have noticed.) – Harry Shecter, M.D., Farmington Hills, Michigan

“As in ‘he’s doing cocaine big time.”

(Ed.: In the big house!)

Did the candidate say “big league” or utter this 19th-Century word that means, in a swelling blustering manner? Who cares? Kick it out of the echo chamber!

“Need I say more? The world has been plagued with the sound of these words for too long. And the mental image that accompanies the phrase?” – Heather Newburg, LSSU, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

“Bipartisanship, to most politicians, only seems to happen when one side gets its way and the other goes along with it. I didn’t vote for my guy to submit to the will of the opposing party. I want lots of partisanship!” – Michael Bush, Jersey City, New Jersey

“The day after Thanksgiving that retailers use to keep themselves out of the ‘red’ for the year. (And then followed by “Cyber-Monday.”) This is counter to the start of the Great Depression’s use of the term ‘Black Tuesday,’ which signaled the crash of the stock market that sent the economy into a tailspin. – Carl Marschner, Melvindale, Michigan

From the weather and news reports. Ice is ice. Watch your step.

“Ice is usually clear and shiny when you see the black pavement through it.” Robert Irving, Tahoe City, California

” In spite of statements to the contrary, ‘Cold is (NOT) the new hot,’ nor is ’70 the new 50.’ The idea behind such comparisons was originally good, but we’ve all watched them spiral out of reasonable uses into ludicrous ones and it’s now time to banish them from use. Or, to phrase it another way, ‘Originally clever advertising is now the new absurdity!’” – Lawrence Mickel, Coventry, Connecticut

“Believed to have come into use in the 1960s, but it is getting tired. The comparisons have become absurd.” – Geoff Steinhart, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

‘Orange is the new black.’ ’50 is the new 30.’ ‘Chocolate is the new sex.’ ‘Sex is the new chocolate.’ ‘Fallacy is the new truth.’ – Patrick Dillon, East Lansing, Michigan

Or any of its variations – “Hate, hate. Grate, grate,” says Steven Phipps of Pueblo, Colorado.

Received many nominations from across the United States.

“This once street slang for items of luxury has now become so overused and abused that (everyone) has incorporated it into their vocabularies. Yes, your mom might say it. Nothing could kill the mystique of a word faster.” – Todd Facklas, Chicago, Illinois

And its variations, including blogger, blogged, blogging, blogosphere. Many who nominated it were unsure of the meaning. Sounds like something your mother would slap you for saying.

“Sounds like a Viking’s drink that’s better than grog, or a technique to kill a frog.” – Teri Vaughn, Anaheim, California

“Maybe it’s something that would be stuck in my toilet.” – Adrian Whittaker, Dundalk, Ontario. “I think the words ‘journal’ and ‘diary’ need to come back.” – T. J. Allen, Shreveport, Louisiana

Sometimes exchanged with “pushback” to mean resistance.

“‘Blowback’ is used by the corporate (types) to mean ‘reaction,’ when the word ‘reaction’ would have been more than sufficient. Example: ‘If we send out the press release, how should we handle the blowback from the community?’” – John, Los Angeles, California

Who’s who, anyway? “I remember when I was a kid and Georgia was purple,” says Peter Pietrangelo, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

“A good map has more than two colors.”

See classified advertisements for houses, says Morris Conklin of Lisboa, Portugal, as in “master bedroom boasts his-and-her fireplaces — never ‘bathroom apologizes for cracked linoleum,’ or ‘kitchen laments pathetic placement of electrical outlets.’”

“Also known as ‘soap.’” — Ray Hill, Jackson, Michigan

“Can we just call them chicken (pieces)?” John McNamara, Lansing, Michigan

A fashionable construction that refers to robots. “Please restore the neglected ‘ro-‘,” pleads Bob Forrest of Tempe, Arizona

For planning, rather than dancing.

Treats colloquy like an ice skating rink, as if we must circle back to our previous location to return to a prior subject. Let’s circle back about why to banish this jargon. It’s a conversation, not the Winter Olympics. Opined a grammarian, “The most overused phrase in business, government, or other organization since ‘synergy’”—which we banished in 2002 as evasive blanket terminology and smarty-pants puffery.

anything classic. Although you banned this in 1982, it has escaped the sportscaster’s lexicon. It now permeates national advertising! Coca Cola has “NEW” Coke banging on “CLASSIC” Coke, which of course is OLD Coke. Students were told about Shakespeare, Van Gogh, and Beethoven classics.

Their ad-choked minds may equate classics to “Nude Descending a Staircase – With Coke,” or “The Thinker – With Hamburger,” Or “To Eat Or Not To Eat – That’s the Indigestion.”

Every new tournament “in any sport is automatically labeled a ‘classic’ by its promoters.” -Cynthia Pappas.- “The initial game between two lackluster teams is advertised as the ‘First Annual Boredom Classic’: – Cynthia Pappas, Caldwell, New Jersey

Joyce Hennon, teacher, Michigan School for the Deaf, Flint, Michigan

This phrase is used often in federal student financial aid forms and applications. – Tim Malette, Director of Financial Aid, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan

replacing “patients.”

“Maybe this means they can charge more.” – Nicholas Naff, Las Vegas, Nevada

“Climb is up. Down is descend.” – Ben Szczesny, Muskegon, Michigan

In the middle of a commercial area

“To get closure.” “To come to closure.” (Several nominations, including Toronto’s Talk 640 AM radio and Pam Holmes, English teacher at Chelsea High School, Chelsea, Michigan – “What’s wrong with saying ‘finish’ or ‘decide’”?)

Who cares about the temperature of the glass? – Called into the City Desk Show, Joe Easingwood, C-Fax Radio, Victoria, British Columbia

As in two or more parties limiting competition by deception

“We all need to collude on getting rid of this word.” – John, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan

“It is bad enough that Ted Turner damages classic films; his disrespect for the language is equally reprehensible. What he means is, “color.” – Paul H. Toepp, Detroit, Michigan

Celebrity duos of yore — BogCall (Bogart and Bacall), Lardy (Laurel and Hardy), and CheeChong (Cheech and Chong) — just got lucky.

“It’s bad enough that celebrities have to be the top news stories. Now we’ve given them obnoxious names such as ‘Bragelina,’ ‘TomKat’ and ‘Bennifer.’” — M. Foster, Port Huron, Michigan

“It’s so annoying, idiotic and so lame and pathetic that it’s ‘lamethetic.’” — Ed of Centreville, Virginia

Meaning “this is our position;” forbidden to educational administrations and bureaucrats, as in “institutionally, we come down on the liberal side.” It implies that the policy was arrived at lightly, as in tossing a coin.

As in “are you comfortable with this?”

“I’m tired of hearing this every time an idea is presented.” Makes you uncomfortable? – Jo Ann Krause, Grand Marais, Minnesota

“If it’s so common, why doesn’t everyone have it?” – AP English Class, Maple Valley High School, Vermontville, Michigan

Should be banished for overuse. “The original meaning of this word has been lost in the media, which blithely gives us such nonsense as the ballet-dancing community; the stock-broking community; the international community (whatever it is) and, my all-time favorite, the intravenous drug-using community.” – Eli Levine, Santa Barbara, California

A five-dollar phrase on a nickel-errand. Value-added into many higher education mission statements. “Not to be confused with ‘school.’” – Jim Howard from Mishawa, Indiana

“They’re called PETS.” – Nick Leach, Bloomington, Indiana

Advertising agency, business conference, and bureaucratic jargon for “think up” or “idea,” as in “Is this match book cover you conceptualization?” or “Lets conceptualize a new model,” as overheard at the London Chop House (Detroit) bar most afternoons. – Joan Nevala, Austin, Texas

Many nominators consider this a bastardization of dog breeding. It may be a good line to use on angry neighbors when an un-neutered dog escapes. “When you mate a miniature schnauzer to a toy poodle, it’s not a ‘Schnoodle,’ it’s a mongrel.” – George Bullerjahn, Bowling Green, Ohio

Jeans, blouses, perfume, coats, windows. A designer is the one who plans who designs, who makes original sketches, patterns, scenes.

If someone actually drew upon your entire lower body then you could claim to display designer jeans, or a massive tattoo. – Charles Riley, Mansfield, Ohio

“Every time the news can’t find something intelligent to report, they start on a ‘desperate search’ for someone, somewhere.” – Rick A. Hyatt, Saratoga, Wyoming

Invented by Henry Kissinger. Nobody else knows what it means, and now even Kissinger has forgotten. [Before the year was out the president of the United States also banished “detente.” Later, voters banished Kissinger and the president.]

“For generations the term ‘to bail’ had been universally understood. But Washington’s word merchants have recalled bailing. Official U.S. Coast Guard documents replaced the time-honored term with ‘de-watering.’ Quick! Don your Personal Flotation Device (what we used to call a life vest) and, as the publication directs, grab a de-watering device and start de-watering our sinking ship. Our de-deaths depend on it!” – John E. Bates, Jr., Warren, Michigan

And its other form Meaningful Dialogue. Neither has meaning remaining in it.

“Somewhere along the line, somebody stumbled into it thinking he was saying ‘disfranchise.’ It caught on, and for more than 30 years we’ve been subjected to this negative-positive abomination. What’s next? ‘Disenable’? – Mike Bunis, Key West, Florida

“The term has been frequently applied to describe voters who have experienced difficulty in following directions.” – J. H. Jaroma, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

“Our country cannot possibly hold that many victims.” – Linda, Kansas City, Missouri

As into dish out the latest rumor on someone. Let’s go back to ‘talks about’ and leave dishes in the cupboard.

Nominators are exhausted from 2016’s disruption. When humanity looks back on zombie buzzwords, they will see disruption bumping into other overused synonyms for change.

“Narrowly escaped the list in 1999 and 2000. “Now being applied to all women singers even though it once applied only to opera singers.” – Art Bergeron, Chester, Virginia

“I thought it was bad when I heard Madonna described as a ‘diva.’ Since then, I’ve seen promotions for shows on ‘male divas’ and ‘transvestite divas.’” – Jennifer McGraw, Brevort, Michigan

“Elton John is NOT a diva. He’s a GUY!” – Lisa Sanderson, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Massachusetts Gov. Edward King’s statement, “a 0 million rollback we think is do-able.” – Fred Bauer, Marblehead, Massachusetts

Sounds like the high priest of an offshoot Eastern religion. “I went to the high mountain to commune with His Holiness the Docudrama.”

Submitters rejected the desire, perhaps demand, for clarification or affirmation as filler, insecurity, and passive aggression. “Why say it, if you must ask? It just doesn’t make sense!” tsk-tsked one. In this call for reassurance or act of false modesty, enquirers warp respondents into “co-conspirators,” deduced another. Needy, scheming, and/or cynical. Let me be clear, judges opined: Always make sense; don’t think aloud or play games! Misuse, overuse, and uselessness.

“Mom Thing, Dad thing, Kid thing, Right thing, Word Banishment thing” Nominated for overuse and uselessness by Susan Elek, St. Clement Catholic High School English Teacher, center Line, Michigan.

“Reporters, short on vocabulary, often describe a scene as ’emotional.’ Well sure, but which emotion? For a radio reporter to gravely announce, ‘There was an emotional send-off to Joe Blow’ tells me nothing, other than the reporter perceived that the participants acted in an emotional way. For instance: I had an emotional day today. I started out feeling tired and a bit grumpy until I had my coffee. I was distraught over a cat killing a bird on the other side of the street. I was bemused by my reaction to the way nature works. I was intrigued this evening to add a word or two to your suggestions. I was happy to see the words that others had posted. Gosh, this has been an emotional day for me.” – Brendan Kennedy, Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada

If it’s enclosed any idiot can find it. – Rosemary K. Burroughs, Bryan, Texas

“Makes no sense. Do we have friendly combatants? Neutral combatants? Or how about enemy bystanders? If they are your enemy, just say so.” – Bill Sellers, Hampton, Virginia

Nobody knows what constitutes an energy crisis, what to do about it, or even, for certain, if one exists.

“A shameful euphemism for torture.” – David Bristol, Byron Center, Michigan

More than one nominator says the use of ‘epic’ has become an epic annoyance.

“Cecil B. DeMille movies are epic. Internet fallouts and opinions delivered in caps-lock are not. ‘Epic fail,’ ‘epic win’, ‘epic (noun)’ — it doesn’t matter; it needs to be banished until people recognize that echoing trite, hyperbolic Internet phrases in an effort to look witty or intelligent actually achieves the opposite.” – Kim U., Des Moines, Iowa

“Over-use of the word ‘epic’ has reached epic proportions.” – Tim Blaney, Snoqualmie, Washington

“Anything that this word describes in popular over-usage is rarely ever ‘epic’ in the traditional sense of being heroic, majestic, or just plain awe-inspiring.” – Mel F., Dallas, Texas

“Standards for using ‘epic’ are so low, even ‘awesome’ is embarrassed.” – Mike of Kettering, Ohio

“I’m sure that when the history books are written or updated and stories have been passed through the generations, the epic powder on the slopes during your last ski trip or your participation in last night’s epic flash mob will probably not be included. This may be the root of this epic problem, but it seems as if during the past two years, any idea that was not successful was considered an ‘epic-fail.’ This includes the PowerPoint presentation you tried to give during this morning’s meeting, but couldn’t because of technical problems. Also, the ice storm of ‘epic proportions’ that is blanketing the east coast this winter sure looks a lot like the storm that happened last winter.” – DV, Seattle, Washington

Do we need to hear about it daily on TV and radio, even on racecars? Firmly rejected by the committee. “Too much information!” – Carolyn Jamsa, Chillicothe, Illinois

These two phrases were born on the sports pages, moved to page one, and were indecently exposed on the hallowed editorial pages. It is only a matter of time before they are united into a single monster of redundancy and inaccuracy.

Nominated by John Matheson of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan with the comment, “If a record stands for all-time, OK. But if it is broken tomorrow, or the day after, or the next year, or 1988, then the all-time doesn’t stand the test of time.”

Preamble often heard on talk radio. “I am serious in asking: who in any universe gives a care?” – Miguel McCormick, Orlando, Florida

As one might expect, this phrase received the most nominations this year. If Congress acts to keep the country from tumbling over the cliff, LSSU believes this banishment should get some of the credit.

“You can’t turn on the news without hearing this. I’m equally worried about the River of Debt and Mountain of Despair.”- Christopher Loiselle, Midland, Michigan

“(We’ve) lost sight of the metaphor and started to think it’s a real place, like with the headline, ‘Obama, Boehner meeting on fiscal cliff’.” – Barry Cochran, Portland, Oregon

“Tends to be used however the speaker wishes to use it, as in falling off the fiscal cliff, climbing the fiscal cliff, challenged by the fiscal cliff, etc. Just once, I would like to hear it referred to as a financial crisis.” – Barbara Cliff, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

“Continually referred to as ‘the so-called fiscal cliff,’ followed by a definition. How many times do we need to hear ‘fiscal cliff,’ let alone its definition? Please let this phrase fall off of a real cliff!” – Randal Baker, Seabeck, Washington

“Fiscal cliff, fiscal update, fiscal austerity…whatever happened to ‘economic’ updates? Fiscal has to go.” – Dawn Farrell-Taylor, Ontario, Canada

“Makes me want to throw someone over a real cliff,” – Donna, Johnstown, New York

“If only those who utter these words would take a giant leap off of it.” – Joann Eschenburg, Clinton Twp., Michigan

And other gender-neutral phraseology.

“I am saddened by the passing of MANkind, the huMAN race, the family of MAN, and never again being a chairMAN, alderMAN, or fisherMAN. Fisherperson is unnecessary terminology anyway, given that ‘angler’ already exists. Let’s get rid of ‘political correctness’ and ‘gender-neutral’ while we’re at it.” – W. Van Sickle, St. Joseph Island, Ontario, Canada

When used as an adverb.

“It’s overused by sports analysts, i.e. ‘He can flat-out play/run/throw.’” – Russell Bowlus, Davis, California

They belong at the beach, not in political dialogue. “Republicans used it; Democrats used it back. Flip-flop back and forth it goes.” – Jeff Lewis, Ada, Michigan

Good word, but overused when concentrate or look at would work fine. See 1983’s banishment of, We Must Focus Our Attention.

“It’s ridiculous. Do we call people who like wine ‘winies’ or beer lovers ‘beeries’?” – Randall Chamberlain, Traverse City, Michigan

“‘Someone who enjoys food’ applies to everyone on Earth. What’s next? ‘Oh, I’m an airie; I just love to breathe.’ ‘Could we do it at 11, instead? I’m kind of a sleepie.’” – Andy Poe, Marquette, Michigan

“I crave good sleep, too, but that does not make me a sleepie. News flash: We ALL like food.” – Graydeon DeCamp, Elk Rapids, Michigan

“I’ve heard of cooks and chefs, and gourmets and gourmands, but what the heck is a ‘foodie’? A person who likes food? A person who eats food? A person who knows what food is? Sounds like ‘foodie’ is a synonym for ‘everybody.’ Foodies around the world agree; let’s banish this term.” – Steve Szilagyi, Mason, Michigan

Perhaps the leg muscles aren’t involved. Jon Reynolds of Lansing, Michigan, nominated this with football sportscasters in mind.

In place of “yes.” – Dick Longworthy, Chicago, Illinois nominator, who said, “Can one imagine Molly, in the final titanic lines of ‘Ulysses,” crying, ‘For sure! For sure!’?”

Overused by politicians, said John Dunlap of Westland, Michigan. “We must cut spending, or raise taxes, or limit any behavior, or pass any law, or go to the moon, or ban guns….for the children.”

A modern behavior management technique used on children. Similar to the old fashion “stand in the corner.” According to the descriptive material submitted: “The child is quickly restrained… restricted to a chair or floor… must stay there for a minimum of three minutes PLUS 10 quiet seconds… no struggling before release… Be careful to use ONLY the amount of pressure necessary to maintain the child in the forced relaxation position… be ever ready to reapply the pressure should your child begin again to resist.”

(Could adults benefit from this modern technique at the end of a tough day?) An Orwellian oxymoron. – Mary Sullivan, Marquette, Michigan

“If these have had such a devastating impact on our economy, I shudder to think about the dire consequence of domestic imports.” – T. A. Quinn, Louisville, Kentucky

Just how long is foreseeable? “What about the unforeseeable future?” ponders James Hartman from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

“But if not, then warn after the fact.” – Miguel McCormick of Orlando, Florida

Another food group co-opted by “frankenfood.” Not to be confused with other forms of genetically modified language.

(From folks who are paying close attention to Newt Gingrich’s speeches. They nominated frankly as overused by the Speaker of the House.) Gingrich used “frankly” 12 times in a late November speech. – Margaret DeChant, Boca Raton, Florida

Gigs are for musicians and stand-up comedians. Now expanded to imply a sense of freedom and a lifestyle that rejects tradition in a changing economic culture. Runs a risk of sharecropping.

“No need to make a gigantic (idiot) out of yourself trying to find an enormous word for ‘big.’” – Coulombe, Sanford, Florida

“This combination of gigantic and enormous makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck every time I hear it. Each utterance reminds me of the high school drop-out that first used this offensive word in my presence. – Gina Bua, Vancouver, Washington

“This word is just a made-up combination of two words. Either word is sufficient, but the combination just sounds ridiculous. – Jason, Andover, Maine

(Any of its variations) It’s overdone. “There’s no escaping it. It’s everywhere, from TV to T-shirts,” says Amanda Tikkanen of LaGrange, Indiana. “Please tell me when we’re done with this one.”

The US military’s shorthand for a base in Cuba drives a wedge wider than a split infinitive.

“When did the notorious Guantanamo Bay Naval Base change to ‘Gitmo,’ a word that conjures up an image of a fluffy and sweet character from a Japanese anime show?” — Marcus W., St. Louis, Missouri.

“This oleaginous phrase is an emergency submission to the 2008 list. The notion has arisen that as one’s life progresses, one accumulates a sort of deficit balance with society which must be neutralized by charitable works or financial outlays. Are one’s daily transactions throughout life a form of theft?” – Richard Ong, Carthage, Missouri

“Various media have been featuring a large number of people who ‘just want to give back.’ Give back to whom? For what?” – Curtis Cooper, Hazel Park, Michigan

“Given the number of people who use ‘given’. I must give in after much give-and-take debate and request that we give the heave-ho to ‘given’ with respect to the ‘given’ usage, even though it may be a ‘given’ a severe blow to their ‘given’ that some people will be ‘given’ a severe blow to their ‘given’ conversational styles.” – Bob Tulloch, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

When considering the salaries paid to professional athletes many folks may start to expect that extra 10 percent. – Mark Terwilliger, LSSU math professor

The phrase refers to anything that may excite a person, or something that causes one to laugh.

“I suggest banishing this hyperbole for over-use,” says Ana Robbins, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

“This list of banished words is ‘giving me life’!””

Great-Granddad stopped putting his driving gloves in a glove compartment around 1910. We can’t have archaic and eat it too. – Ivan Evasivitch, Chicago, Illinois

The acronym for Greatest of All Time gets the goat of petitioners and judges for overuse, misuse, and uselessness. “Applied to everyone and everything from athletes to chicken wings,” an objector declared. “How can anyone or anything be the GOAT, anyway?” Records fall; time continues. Some sprinkle GOAT like table salt on “anyone who’s really good.” Another wordsmith: ironically, “goat” once suggested something unsuccessful; now, GOAT is an indiscriminate flaunt.

Let’s go someplace else with this one.

“Since most people travel backward in time, this is a valuable phrase,” says Brian Fumo of Newport, Rhode Island

“It makes ‘missing’ sound like a place you can visit, such as the Poconos. Is the person missing, or not? She went there but maybe she came back. ‘Is missing’ or ‘was missing’ would serve us better.” — Robin Dennis, Flower Mound, Texas

“Popularized after the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas debate…It (supposedly) indicates someone’s inability to understand what the rest of us find obvious. “Senator Packwood just doesn’t get it.’ ‘Saddam Hussein just doesn’t get it.’” – David Goldberg, Ann Arbor, Michigan

“I think that using the masculine pronoun, when no gender is indicated, should be reinstated. Using ‘he/she’ breaks the flow of a sentence, and teachers care more about that than they do about sexual equality.” – Ines Quandel, Central Algoma Secondary School, Desberats, Ontario

“Everybody is some kind of something to someone, even athletes, though perhaps only to their mothers.” – Ford Wolfertz, Montclair, New Jersey

As in, ‘I want to give you a heads-up on this,’” says Hugh D. Hyatt, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. “What’s wrong with, ‘I want to warn you,’ or ‘I want to give you advanced notice?’”

Overused in business settings.

“Why don’t we have them deliver half a pint of health to our door each morning. – John Jolly, Seattle, Washington

Point of view is everything.

Someone told Joy Wiltzius of Fort Collins, Colorado, that the tuna steak she had for lunch “sounded healthy.” Her reply: “If my lunch were healthy, it would still be swimming somewhere. Grilled and nestled in salad greens, it’s ‘healthful.’”

“Heard often from TV newscasters of the Los Angeles area.” – J.A. Talbot, Grand Terrace, California

(Sometimes pronounced with both syllables drawn out)

Nominated by many for over-use “not as a greeting, but as a condescending comment…a lazy approach to a comeback.” Used often with the ever popular (and banished) ‘duh!’ – Christine Caruso, St. Anne High School, Ontario

“The word ‘hero’ has no meaning anymore. Today’s society has applied it many people not deserving of the appellation. Nowadays anyone who would normally be referred to as a role model is called a ‘hero.’” – Henry Sibley, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Used by politicians, advertisers, and educators to signify nothing except a vague jumble of concepts which they favor. Its most important contribution to the world of jargon is its potential for grammatical formulations.

Does one use high tech like a wrench? Or operate it like a bulldozer? Practice it like a religion? Was high tech invented, developed, discovered or manufactured? – Fritz Bhalli, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Bruce Peasley, Handy High School instructor, Bay City, Michigan, say means “gasoline tax.”

Gobbledygook disguised as intelligence: as in “that is not a viable alternative which we can implement.” Meaning: “We don’t want to do it and think you have a crazy idea here.”

Constance, Pace, Texas, “Totally unnecessary when ‘important’ is sufficient. ‘More importantly’ (banned in 1992) apparently sounds more important but is also senseless.”

As opposed to what used to be referred to as a bomb or mine. “Is this anything like a bomb or is it more (or less) sinister?” – Harold Blackwood, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Yes, humanity needs to follow safeguards during COVID-19. The statistics are sobering: more than 342,000 deaths and more than 19 million confirmed cases in the U.S. and more than 1.8 million deaths and more than 82 million confirmed cases worldwide. But the phrasing about how to take preventative steps is vague. What is the standard measurement for caution, metric or U.S. standard?

“As opposed to green in size,” quips Janet Litherland of Thomasville, Georgia. Lends an empty air of precision.

Which means “indeed.”

The latter was also nominated by many from the U.S.A. and Canada, including Bryan Szabo of Eugene, Oregon, who describe it as “the most overused word of the year; indeed, of the century.”

A cliche meaning “in this, our country,” as used by Chancellor Helmut Kohl and likened on The Cloy Scale to Nixon’s “My fellow Americans.”

“Who is Harm, and why would you want to get in his way?” Thomas Watts, Sumter, South Carolina

As in a new reporter quoting the prime minister.

“How else would he say it? Would he rent lips?” – Saul Jacobson, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Why not say what you mean the first time? – Ken Behrens, Bloomington, Illinois

As in finished or concluded.

Sandy, White Lake Township, Michigan., “It seems everyone’s holiday party is in the books this year, and it’s all there for friends to view on social media, along with the photos of the happy party attendees.”

Employed by groups which often include only a few members representing interests no broader than their own, but who announce a position claiming “the public” shares their views.

Geoffrey E., Phoenix, Arizona

“What was ever wrong with the word ‘after?’” A caller on WJR Detroit’s David Newman Show wondered if we should all take one tablet in the wake of each meal.

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, Michigan

“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, Wisconsin

“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, Washington

The committee agrees that COVID-19 has upended everyday life and wishes this weren’t so. But putting things into imprecise context doesn’t help matters. The blur dilutes reality and, to some, sounds like the beginning of a movie trailer. Keep as wide a berth of trite parlance as those who don’t wear masks in public. What exactly does it mean for times to be uncertain? Look at a clock!

Mathematical term that entered everyday parlance and lost its original meaning. This year’s version of “pivot,” banished in 2021. “Chronic throat-clearing from historians, journalists, scientists, or politicians. Its ubiquity has driven me to an inflection point of throwing soft objects about whenever I hear it,” a quipster recounted. “Inflection point has reached its saturation point and point of departure,” proclaimed another. “Pretentious way to say turning point.” Overuse and misuse.

According to Urban Dictionary, “A word Instagram users use to describe themselves to make them feel famous and more important when no one really know who they are or care.”

Sylvia Gurinsky, Davie, Florida; Jeff Lewis, Ada, Michigan; Paul Bartunek, Los Angeles, California; Jacqueline Reardon, Burlington, New Jersey; diva_angel360

“Is everyone else as tired of this as I am? If a commercial lasts for 30 minutes, it’s a PROGRAM. It’s also boring!” – John King, Oceanside, California

“Every single person on every reality show comments on how amazing the ‘journey’ was. Since when does dating a dozen nerds over a six-week span or conniving to win a million dollars over 15 other people qualify as a ‘journey’”? – Cindy, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

The favorite nomination which seems to have escaped the list until this year. – Tanya Dugree, Kingsford High School, Kingsford, Michigan 

Banished from the Marketplace of Ideas. “It’s not scientists who are using this phrase so much as the people who practice junk politics.” – Ron LaLonde, Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada

Used to describe an outstanding computer program.

“If its function doesn’t approximate that of the HAL 9000 computer from 2001, it’s not really a killer application,” says Peter Lynn of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

“Is there any other kind?” – Margaret DeChant, Newberry, Michigan

“An overused and often misused term in the business world. “I think it is a false verbification of the noun ‘leverage,’ says Phil Rustage, London, United Kingdom

“Leverage this … leverage that … It makes me want to puke. I don’t really know the new definition of this word, but I’ve caught on (empirically) by hearing it a dozen million times from those suit-wearing marketing bozos.” – Todd Ryan, Knoxville, Tennessee

Todd performed an Internet search for ‘leverage’ and found more than 50,000 entries. He quit (and so did we) reading after the fifth entry, calling the lot of it ‘gobbledygook.’ We agree.”

Columnist Bob Cudmore of The Record in Albany, New York, recently wrote: “Banish liberal or at least have it declared an obscenity, which is what the word had become. It’s probably better today to be called a Marxist, a Commie, a pinko, a fellow-traveler or a useful idiot … If liberal was deemed obscene by academics and dictionary-makers, maybe conservative talk show hosts, callers, commentators and politicians would be less likely to use the word … Perhaps then, instead of deploring an idea as liberal, conservative speakers would have to explain why they are against it.”

“Driving forces within the automotive industry that continue to favor plastics, include: Lightweighting.” – LSSU Alumnus Ron Bishop, Lowell, Michigan

(Ron discovered the word as it was used in the June 1995 issue of Plastics World magazine, by the way … congratulations, Ron. You were the first person to use ‘cyberspace’ to submit a nomination.)

“Ugly, ugly word; often mispronounced … visions of four lips stuck together, or an infected lip being treated, or having verbal influence, pull in high places.” – Nadine Clark, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Numbered or bulleted list created primarily to generate views on the Web, LSSU’s word-banishment list excluded.

Surprisingly, this word hasn’t already been banished, but here it is, one of the few words in English that has begun to serve as its own antonym. Many of the nominators cite this word’s use for figurative expressions or emphasis, which is literally annoying.

Edward, Glendale, Arizona; Ryan Chenier, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Daniel Kirk, San Luis Obispo, California; Dale Martin, Novi, Michigan; Jack Pollard, Haslett, Michigan; Gary Wenger, Delta, British Columbia, Canada; Christy Borthick, Nashville, Tennessee; Pamela Naylor, Dover, Delaware; Jamie Rankin, Connellsville, Pennsylvania; Margaret, Los Angeles, California; and Jennifer W Berlin, Anthem, Arizona

Do politicians know any other word to describe those with whom they disagree? – Rick Morrow, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

“The word ‘medal’ is a noun … but the misuse of this word by Olympic reporters had become even more common.

In addition, I was stunned to learn from one of the Detroit sports reports that the USA athlete who ‘medalled’ in the downhill ski competition also ‘ silvered’. Perhaps the athlete was dipped in a large vat of silver compound for that winning metallic glow?” – Karen Gooze, Westland, Michigan

The following phrases turned up again and again in the nominating letters. In previous years bureaucrats, journalists, or educators have inspired the major nominations. This year it’s the people at what Sid Caesar called “The Doctor Place.” However, one suspects that it isn’t the doctors and nurses who invent these silly terms, but administrators and those who write the glossy pamphlets one finds in waiting rooms.

We can no longer afford this. It is too expensive. We must return to the less expensive “medicine.”

As in “I’ll memo this proposal.” And its geometric progression (triple) banishee honor: “See how it impacts when it is referentially memoed.”

“Used often in the sporting world,” says Paul DeCarlo of Helena, Alabama. “What mistake is not mental?”

“Sorry, but you cannot ‘messenger’ anything, anywhere. Messenger is a noun. Why not use a simple verb, ‘send’ or ‘deliver?’” – Carolyn P. Beeker, Charlotte, North Carolina

An urban male who pays too much attention to his appearance.

Bob Forrest of Tempe, Arizona, says it “sounds like someone who only has sex downtown or on the subway.” Fred Bernardin of Arlington, Massachusetts, asks, “Aren’t there enough words to describe men who spend too much time in front of the mirror?”

and the variations: ‘the next millennium,’ ‘the new millennium,’ ‘into the next millennium,’ ‘millennium bug.’

“It is the convenient topic for every graduation speech, every excuse to renew or to do anything,” said Lois Linnert of New York, New York.

“It’s been attached to every promotion, ad, event that you can think of,” said Dave of Duluth, Minnesota.

Kevin Chu of Cupertino, California said it goes hand-in-hand with the hype of Y2K, and Elaine Gosling of London, England, said, “If I wanted to be really grumpy I could point out that the millennium is not a moment which occurs at the end of the year, but a full thousand years!”

A movie that has been hacked up because it’s to long, or too boring to show in its entirety on one night. A MINI SERIES should be a series which looks (and looks) at women’s skirts.

As applied to lay people performing any function whatever in church circles. – Carol Smith, Fairbanks, Alaska

(Ed.: Is there a ministry of snow removal, yet?)

“Either something is an emergency, or it isn’t.” – Carol A. McClendon, Fort Worth, Texas

“Many companies are wasting incredible amounts of time and effort (and sometimes cash) to define these, with no noticeable benefit.” – Meir Pann, Miami Springs, Florida 

The 30-year anniversary of this hilarious 1983 Michael Keaton movie seems to have released some pent-up emotions. It received nearly as many nominations as “selfie” and “twerk” from coast to coast in the U.S. and Canada, mostly from men.

“It was a funny movie in its time, but the phrase should refer only to the film, not to men in the real world. It is an insult to the millions of dads who are the primary caregivers for their children. Would we tolerate calling working women Mrs. Dad?” says Pat, of Chicago, Illinois, who suggests we peruse the website captaindad.org, the manly blog of stay-at-home parenting.

“I am a stay-at-home dad/parent. And if you call me ‘Mr. Mom,’ I will punch you in the throat. – Zachary, East Providence, Rhode Island

“Society is changing and no longer is it odd for a man to take care of his children. Even the Wall Street Journal has declared, “Mr. Mom is dead” (Jan. 22, 2013). I think it is time to banish it.” – Chad, St. Peters, Missouri 

Instead of memento. This mistake is more common in speech than in writing, but a newspaper wrote “officials wanted momentos carved for the 1990 Labatt Brier …”

(Ed.: Sounds like a lapse in time.) – Roy Sutton, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Canada

To refer to a military action.

“This is far too friendly a description for a situation where people are being shot. Please eliminate it before we start ‘mopping up in the Middle East.”(Editor: What’s around to mop after the battle? Can you mop-up sand?) – Rick Duerson, Escanaba, Michigan

“I’m not sure how moral they are, but I’m convinced they are not a majority.” – Michael R. Moloney in Lexington, Kentucky radio interview. He is believed to be a Southern Democrat of the Anti-Happy Chandler scion.

“This one really grates on my spinal column. I just hate it.” – Eric Brooks, morning show producer at WEAT/WOLL Radio, West Palm Beach, Florida (Gee, how do you REALLY feel about it, Eric? We heard from others who “felt your pain.”)

The first usage of I heard applied to adults in new lines of work was merely irksome.

When it is used over and over by politicians, businessmen and others I stop listening to what follows.” – Margaret Smedgaard, Racine, Wisconsin 

“The phrase is often used to justify bad trends in society and to convince people that they are powerless to slow or to reverse those trends. This serves to reduce participation in the political process and to foster cynicism about the ability of government to improve people’s lives. Sometimes the phrase is applied to the erosion of civil liberties. More often, it is used to describe the sorry state of the U.S. economy. Often hosts on TV news channels use the phrase shortly before introducing some self-help guru who gives glib advice to the unemployed and other people having financial difficulties. – Robert Brown, Raleigh, North Carolina

Overused catchall for ways COVID-19 affects humankind—and banishment finalist last year for similar reasons. “Those clamoring for the days of old, circa 2019, use this to signal unintentionally that they haven’t come to terms with what ‘normal’ means,” a monitor elucidated. “After a couple of years, is any of this really ‘new’?” another speculated. Banished in 2012 for imprudence, defeatism, and apathy stemming from societal missteps.

Ben Szczesny, Muskegon, Michigan

And its variations — We received many nominations for this annoying abbreviation that refers to Sept. 11, 2001, the day terrorists attacked and killed thousands in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Those who sent nominations said they were in no way trying to make light of the day’s events, or the subsequent events. Most of them asked if finding a ‘cute’ abbreviation for the day makes the attacks any easier to accept. “Last year, we had Y2K and 24-7. This year, we have 9-11. This new digital language (digitalk?) should be banned no later than 1-1-Y2K-2 … Do we refer to the Chicago Fire as 10-8 because it occurred on Oct. 8, 1871? How about the sinking of the Titanic – it is not called 4-14. A tragic event of such proportion should not be confused with a telephone number. The name will be remembered as long as there are people who can read.” – nominator from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

“I can’t believe people are abbreviating the worst act of war this country has seen since Pearl Harbor. I’ve never heard anybody refer to the attack on Pearl Harbor as Twelve-Seven, or 12-7.” – nominator from Colorado Springs, Colorado. “It was September 11.” — nominator from Ishpeming, Michigan. “It’s overused and sounds ridiculous when used to represent what happened on September 11. – nominator from Madison, Wisconsin. “It’s worse when people play on the ambiguity with ‘911’ in the emergency phone number context.” – nominator from Los Angeles, California.

Two common symbols are banished – The international road sign of a circle with a line through it meaning “No …”; and hearts meaning “love.” Preston Turengano of San Diego, California, said the road sign was okay on highways, but should never be used for “No burping.”

Nominated by George Drury or Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who gave special mention to “that Milwaukee favorite: Temporary No Parking Any Time.”

Forbidden to policy makers and supervisors.

Leland D. Ester, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin who observes: “Whenever I raise a question about something that is not going well and someone tells me ‘no problem’ there is almost invariably a problem.”

Nominated by writers nationwide for misuse and overuse, this phrase incorrectly substitutes for “You’re welcome” when someone says “Thank you.” A further bungling relates to insensitivity. “If I’m not worried, I don’t want anyone telling me not to worry,” a contributor explicated. “If I am upset, I want to discuss being upset.” Despite its meaninglessness, the term is recommended to emailers by Google Assistant.

Anything that is on-point, perfectly executed, or looking good. Needs to return to its genesis: perfectly groomed eyebrows.

New! Improved! Steroidal!

“Please, does the service at my favorite restaurant have to be ‘on steroids’ (even though the meat may be)?” – Betsy, Los Angeles, California 

Media hip-speak and frivolous dramatization.

David Cheng of Rockville, Maryland, points out that humans live on the ground, “not suspended 100 feet in the air or 100 fathoms beneath the ocean.”

“Especially annoying during the presidential election recount, but still shows up in major news stories,” Robert Prince, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“Where else would you be?” – Ken Finkel, Dundas, Ontario, Canada

“Only in a few situations is it necessary,” – Andrew Makepeace, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

“I don’t mind following the game rules, but can’t I read a different book?” – Norma Jean Acker, English teacher, Maple Valley H.S., Vermontville, Michigan

(Also nominated by listeners of David Newman’s show on WXYT, Detroit.)

Creature from the HR Lagoon. We used to have hiring, training and orientation. Now we need to have an “onboarding” process. Firings, quitting, and retirements are streamlined into “offboarding.”

“Either it is the only one or it is one of the few.” – Zack Soderberg, Las Vegas, Nevada

“Where is the ‘line’ that everyone is on? It sounds like someplace a fish should be – not a computer user.” – Michelle Batterbee, Ellsworth, Michigan

“The trendy way to say ‘appearance’.” – Bob Tempe, Arizona

When the words won’t come and you’re living on the jagged edge of linguistic endurance, simply insert OR WHATEVER.

Here in Canada it’s a kind of hamburger extender for a lean lexicon. – Ron Jeffels, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

“Overused and misused to describe not only food, but computer products or human behavior, and often used when describing something as “natural,” says Crystal Giordano of Brooklyn, New York. Another advertising gimmick to make things sound better than they really are, according to Rick DeVan of Willoughby, Ohio, who said he has heard claims such as “My business is organic,” and computers having “organic software.”

“Things have gone too far when they begin marketing T-shirts as organic.” – Michelle Fitzpatrick, St. Petersburg, Florida

“‘Organic’ is used to describe everything, from shampoo to meat. Banishment! Improperly used!” – Susan Clark, Bristol, Maine

“The possibility of a food item being inorganic, i.e., not being composed of carbon atoms, is nil.” – John Gomila, New Orleans, Louisiana

“You see the word ‘organic’ written on everything from cereal to dog food.” – Michael, Sacramento, California

“I’m tired of health food stores selling products that they say are organic. All the food we eat is organic!” – Chad Jacobson, Park Falls, Wisconsin

“Can a human being truly be a parent to a different species? Do pet ‘owners’ not love their pets as much pet ‘parents’ do? Are we equating pet ownership with slave holding? This cloyingly correct term is capable of raising my blood sugar. – Lynn Ouellette, Buffalo, New York

“It may have been a cool, trendy phrase in the 80s, but it is really annoying now.” Mark Terwillinger, LSSU Computer Science Professor

We had to include one for the sports fans. John Kollig of Jamestown, N.Y., says this is overused by every sports broadcaster and writer.

“I am not sure who is responsible, but over the last 12-18 months you cannot watch a sporting event, listen to a sports talk show on radio, or anything on ESPN without someone using this term to attempt to describe an athlete or a contest.” – Dan Beitzel, Perrysburg, Ohio

“Every time I hear them say it, I change the channel.” – Brenda Ruffing, Jackson, Michigan

“What the heck does it mean?” – Linda Pardy, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

Reporters, commentators, talking heads, and others from the media reference how everyone must adapt to the coronavirus through contactless delivery, virtual learning, curbside pickup, video conferencing, remote working, and other urgent readjustments. That’s all true and vital. But basketball players pivot; let’s keep it that way.

Why call a pie a “pie-pie?” Fie on the double pie, even if it’s thick crust. – Beverly Murray, Cranford, New Jersey

Dennis K. McDermott of Oneida, New York, says, “It appears on 99% of the return envelopes provided by creditors with monthly billings. It’s especially annoying when enclosed in a rectangle drawn in the upper right corner. (What if you miss?) And then … they inform you that ‘The Post Office will not deliver without postage.’ Can we legitimately claim to be a superpower if we need to be reminded to put a stamp on an envelope?”

Eric Hooper of South Lyon, Michigan, agrees: “If I’m too stupid to figure out where to put the stamp, then paying the phone bill is probably the least of my worries.””

“People use it as an excuse to rant. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter have become platforms. Even athletes call a post-game interview a ‘platform.’ Step down from the platform, already.” – Michael, Alameda, California

Which is simply wrong.

“There hasn’t been an ‘innocent’ plea for more than 200 years. A defendant pleads ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ since he is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. – Attorney Thomas H. Edwards, Austin, Texas

“Are we talking about someone not buying a round of drinks or people shooting at each other?” – Rob of Crawley, West Sussex, United Kingdom

“Sounds like someone having trouble pulling their hands out of their pants pockets.” – Joe Hutley, Las Vegas, Nevada

Where one means “lectern.” One stands behind a lectern which rests on a podium. – Bernard S. Katz, Washington, D.C.

LSSU got a head start on this one last spring, when it burned a snowman named Mr. Polar Vortex during its 44th annual Snowman Burning.

“Wasn’t it called ‘winter’ just a few years ago? — Dawn Farrell, Kanata, Ont., Canada

“Enough with the over-sensationalized words to describe weather!” — A. Prescott, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

“I think most, if not all can agree that we would prefer to avoid the polar vortex in the future, both in name and in embodiment.” — Christine Brace, Westminster, Maryland

“What happened to ‘cold snap’? Not descriptive enough?” –Trevor Fenton, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Kenneth Ross of Glastonbury, Connecticut, and Bob Priddy of Jefferson City, Missouri, were among many who saw this storming in last January.

“Less than a week into the new year and it’s the most overused, meaningless word in the media,” said Ross.

Priddy noted that it quickly jumped from the weather forecast to other areas, as he said he knew it would: “Today’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorializes about a ‘political vortex.’””

LSSU had received many nominations for banishment of this phrase and the “idea” of being politically correct. Some of the words and phrases banished during the past few years have been “politically correct” expressions (i.e. Fisherperson in 1992), but “P.C” itself has been left off the list until now.

James B. Whyte of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, said we should continue to use, if not overuse, “politically correct euphemisms such as ‘strategically dehired’ for ‘fired.’ … Used enough times as a term of opprobrium, even the most thoroughly sanitized euphemisms will start to stink, its rigid ‘correctness’ wilting in the light of the truth.”

Tori Cook of MCTV News in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, said, “It’s overused. Besides, most people believe politicians are always wrong.”

Michael Tardif of Lansing Catholic Central High School in Michigan seems to agree with Cook, and said “political correctness and politically correct are oxymorons.”

Nadine Clark of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, said, “Politically correct, politically incorrect … who cares?””

Michele Mooney of Los Angeles, California sent us this abbreviation for post-modern from a dictionary of L.A.-speak. It’s listed as a noun, with the following example: “That mini-mall is a po-mo mess.” Honest. Michele sent us eight pages of examples which she had clipped from newspapers and magazines in L.A., where she says everything is referred to as either pre- or post-riots.

“On every single one of the 45,000 decorating shows on cable TV (of which I watch many) there is at LEAST one obligatory use of a phrase such as … ‘the addition of the red really makes it POP.’ You know when it’s coming … you mouth it along with the decorator. There must be some other way of describing the addition of an interesting detail.” – Barbara, Arlington, Texas

“No need to include the impossible choices, I’m sure.”  – Miguel McCormick of Orlando, Florida

To mean good.

“‘Our post-9/11 world,’ is used now, and probably used more, than AD, BC, or Y2K, time references. You’d think the United States didn’t have jet fighters, nuclear bombs, and secret agents, let alone electricity, ‘pre-9/11.’” – Chazz Miner, Midland, Michigan

“I always wonder where these products come from: a post-mortem, perhaps? – A. Kozlowicz, Dept. Chair, Roseville High School, Roseville, Michigan

(Also nominated were post-modern, post-feminist, post-pubescent, post-shave healer, post-Cold War, post-boomers, and ‘the post-thing’. You get the idea: post in now post-use.)

As distinguished from “quantity time” is always applied by the fulfilled woman to explain the time they devote to their families. “Quality time” is what we see in the movies – smiling, laughing, having a food fight; tossing one’s child in the air with wild abandon.

Unfulfilled women, on the other hand, simply slop through with quantity tie. – Sandra M. Louden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Store sign reported in Boston.

Could I buy a half-gallon watch? Would it cost me less to buy a pint-size watch? – M.E. O’Rourke, Dorcherster, Massachusetts

In NASA talk (Dec. 4 space shuttle report) this means “current pictures.” – Greg Borgman, WKBZ, Muskegon, Michigan

“Corporations don’t restructure anymore, they don’t change direction or focus (another buzzword), they all ‘re-engineer.’” – J.P. Squires, Omaha, Nebraska

(LSSU salutes Omaha, the residents of which sent over 100 nominations for this year’s list. They were urged to act by Omaha World Herald Columnist Robert McMorris.)

“Adding this word to the English language simply because a part-time politician lacks a spell checker on her cell phone is an action that needs to be repudiated.” – Dale Humphreys, Muskegon, Michigan

Kuahmel Allah of Los Angeles, California wants to banish what he called ‘Sarah Palin-isms’: “Let’s ‘refudiate’ them on the double!””

“Let’s get rid of any number of politicians who use this expression, along with those who are ‘growing jobs.’” – Joseph Barrett, Berkeley, California

This little gem comes from educators, the same functional illiterates who use the word competency.

“Be sure not to rename it the same name.” – Miguel McCormick of Orlando, Florida

Can mean “dump.”

“Repository” it its use as an euphemism for “dump.” – Dan Bammes, KRSP Radio, Salt Lake City, Utah

As being dangerously misleading and over emphatic statements. RETARD means “to gradually make smaller. I know that my daughter’s brain will not get smaller. I also know that with proper stimulation she will be able to learn and to understand much more than we believe possible. Give the mentally handicapped a little help by banishing a very old word which we no longer apply in today’s society. – Christa Buchan of Regina, Sack. Canada. TERMINAL ILLNESS is not “terminal” until the point of death. “Because of a serious illness – the active phrase of which is usually fatal – I am now living with a ‘chronic illness.’ It is being successfully treated but cannot be cured.”

“A friend, as I was recovering, encouraged me to look at words as the symbols they are. He pointed out that until the point of death a disease isn’t terminal but only life threatening. I have found this picture easier to live with. Many people with serious illnesses might help themselves a lot if they could only appreciate how words can affect them.” – E. Delores Dickey, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Simply means “increasing taxes.” – Nominated by Joseph F. Powers, Jr., Whitmore Lake, Michigan

“I gag on this because it sounds like the drainage from the sinus passages, as in sewer/sewage. Is ‘signage’ more expensive that just plain signs?” – C. B. Sutton, Westerville, Ohio

Often “sent” by foreign powers, or political opponents. – E. Delores Dickey, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

“Do they use Boy scout signal flags? Don’t diplomats ‘talk,’ ‘discuss’ or converse’?”

As used in The Wall Street Journal, means “a big loss.” – Frank Hand, East Lansing, Michigan

Teenager Dan Latimore says this is “one of the most stupid phrases in the English language.” Dozens of our nominators agreed. So do we. His teacher, Janice Miller of New London (Conn.) Senior High School, encouraged her class to submit nominations, as did teachers in many other schools. Almost all such nominations were excellent.

As in “wet pavement situation” which generally means “pavements are wet” or “it is raining.” There is also a mild vogue in the use of “the eating process.” These are Dress up words.

These are not evil in themselves but have been soiled by association.

“An unpardonable contradiction of terms by someone trying to say that information is limited.” – Jack Dietrich, Albuquerque, New Mexico

“Why use two words when one will do? We already have a perfectly good word in ‘skills’ (ending with an s, not a z).” – Chip Lupo, Columbia, South Carolina

“A skill is a skill — that is it. Phrases such as ‘I have the skill set to do that properly’ or anything resembling that phrase, shows the speaker is seriously lacking skills in the art of conversation. Please try this, ‘I have the skill … do you have the skills … this requires certain skills … he is very skilled … that was a skillful maneuver … See? No need for a skill set.” – Stephanie Hamm-Wieczkiewicz, Litfield Park, Arizona

“Used by Australia’s Minister for Employment, Education and Training in radio interviews in 1993 to describe cut-backs and job vacancies. The greatest insult since ‘downsizing.’” – Edwin Maher, South Frankston, Victoria, Australia

“These are non-verbs which should be tossed onto the junk heap.” – Larry Hogue, Corpus Christi, Texas

Shawn J. Hunter, Heritage High School, Saginaw, Michigan

“Another one that came to us from Iraq, but is widely used elsewhere. “Let’s give the 21-gun salute to this overused analogy,” says Andrew Pagano, Montgomery Village, Maryland.

“Remember the television show ‘Gun smoke’? Now THERE were smoking guns!” Scot Moss, Madison, Wisconsin. “What’s wrong with ‘hard evidence’?” – Kevin O’Sheehan, Bangkok, Thailand

So the word that received the most nominations this year was already banished, but today it is being used differently than it was in 1999, when nominators were saying, “I am SO down with this list!” Nominations came from across the country.

“Currently, it is being overused as the first word in the answer to ANY question. For instance, “How did you learn to play the piano?” Answer: “So my dad was in a classical music club …” – Bob Forrest, Tempe Arizona

“Tune in to any news channel and you’ll hear it. The word serves no purpose in the sentence and to me is like fingernails on a chalkboard. So, I submit the extra, meaningless, and overused word ‘so.’” – Scott Shackleton, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

“Politicians, especially, are using this word when asked a question and not answering said question. It is used by all parties in Canada’s Federal election. – Karen Newton, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

“Frequently used to begin a sentence, particularly in response to a question, this tiresome and grammatically incorrect replacement for “Like,” or “Um,” is even more irksome … It hurts my ears, every single time I hear it! – Thomas H. Weiss, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

“So it’s getting really annoying. So can we please put a stop to this?” – David G. Simpson, Laurel, Maryland

“It has become widespread to the point of an epidemic,” said a sickened John from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Overused by many in conversation, especially teenagers. ‘I am SO not into that.’ ‘That outfit is SO not you.’ “It’s used too much and not in the right context.” – Lissa Sanchioni, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

This phrase is useful, as wearing a mask and keeping your distance have a massive effect on preventing the spread of infection. But we’d be lying if we said we weren’t ready for this phrase to become “useless.” With north of 50 nominations, many others clearly feel the same, and the tone of their reasoning ranged from impatient to heartfelt.

Neither social nor secure.

“As in ‘soft markets,’ when describing a particular commodity with poor sales. Does this mean the steel market will be ‘hard’ when sales increase? Sounds as if the executives are trying to ‘soften’ the news to shareholders if you ask me.” – Ron Bedford, Algoma Steel Ltd., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

Bureaucratic lingo gone mad. Use highways. – Chris Thompson, Duluth, Minnesota

One year probation.

Popularized by the Polish Workers, movement of the same name, “solidarity” is good old American Labor Movement, as in the song, “Solidarity Forever,” quite often sung at contemporary labor rallies.

“It had been overused since the polish crisis, and should be forbidden members of athletes’ labor unions.” – Dan DeBono of Wayne State University and Mt. Clemens, Michigan

The Banishment Committee pines for the days when our economy offered merely goods and services. Its usage especially miffs Greg Arens of Brainerd, Minnesota, who points out that “problems demand solutions; needs demand fulfillment.”

Banished from business but not song lyrics. Frequently used in press conferences to keep department heads and press guessing. Also used by executives if they don’t actually plan on doing something: “That’s somewhere down the road (and if I have anything to say about it we’ll never get there).

Must refer to the words that a successful candidate will have to eat after the election. – Keith C. Krahnke, Paradise, Michigan

This must refer to a terrific slam dancer with an M.D. Or does it describe a nice move to the hoop by Julius Erving? What kind of illness can be treated this way, vertigo? – M. DeChant, Newberry, Michigan

“What was once a polite warning has turned into a declarative statement: I have just spoiled something for you. When news outlets print articles with headlines such as, ‘Huge upset in men’s Olympic swimming,’ with a diminutive ‘spoiler alert’ on the link to the rest of the article, I think it’s safe to say we’ve forgotten the meaning of the word ‘alert.’” – Afton, Portland, Oregon

“Used as an obnoxious way to show one has trivial information and is about to use it, no matter what.” – Joseph Joly, Fremont, California 

Sometimes creeps into real life talk, as “first time ever,” which in recent years moved from sporting reports to page one to editorial pages.

“The author of an article containing both of these phrases is guilty of excessive pseudo gender sensitivity.” – N.O. Stockmeyer, Jr., Lansing, Michigan

A word that has expanded from describing someone who may actually have a stake in a situation or problem, now being overused in business to describe customers and others.

“Often used with ‘engagement.’ If someone is disengaged, they’re not really a stakeholder in the first place. LSSU, please engage your stakeholders by adding this pretentious jargon to your list. – Gwendolyn Barlow, Portland, Oregon

Harley Carter of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, says he has heard it with another word popular in business-speak, “socialize,” which means to spread an idea around to see what others think of it. “We need to socialize this concept with our ‘stakeholders.’”

“Dr. Van Helsing should be the only stake holder,” says Jeff Baenen of Minneapolis, Minnesota.