Key Takeaways
- The Lake Superior State University has released its 50th annual Banished Words List, which highlights words and phrases that are worn out by overuse or misuse.
- The list includes words such as "six-seven", "demure", "cooked", "massive", "incentivize", "full stop", "perfect", "gift/gifted", "my bad", and "reach out".
- The list also features "Repeat Offenders", which are words and phrases that have made multiple appearances on the banished list over the years.
- The tradition started as a New Year’s Eve party idea in 1976 and has since evolved into a worldwide discussion on language.
- The list receives over 1,400 submissions each year from every U.S. state and several countries.
Introduction to the Banished Words List
Lake Superior State University is celebrating a milestone with the release of its 50th annual Banished Words List, a tradition that spotlights words and phrases worn out by overuse or misuse. This tradition started as a New Year’s Eve party idea in 1976 and has since evolved into a worldwide discussion on language, receiving over 1,400 submissions this year from every U.S. state and countries such as Brazil, Japan, and England. The list is a reflection of the ever-changing nature of language and the ways in which words and phrases can become worn out or misused over time.
The Top Banished Words of the Year
This year’s top banished words include "six-seven", which was criticized for vague use in phrases like "six or seven reasons", with calls to "86" the phrase altogether. Other words on the list include "demure", which has been overused to the point of losing meaning, often heard in phrases like "very demure, very mindful". The word "cooked" is also on the list, with some calling for all forms of the word to be banned, as it is said to make listeners’ brains feel "cooked". The list also includes "massive", which is often used incorrectly, and "incentivize", a disliked attempt to turn nouns into verbs, with many preferring "motivate".
Repeat Offenders on the List
The list also calls out "Repeat Offender" words and phrases that have made multiple appearances on the banished list over the years. These include "absolutely", which was first banned in 1996 and again in 2023, with a submission calling the word "The current default to express agreement". Another repeat offender is "at the end of the day", which has been banned three times, in 1999, 2022, and 2024. The phrase "awesome" has also made multiple appearances on the list, first in 1984 and again in 2007, with folks from as far as Thailand calling it "overused and meaningless".
The Evolution of the Banished Words List
The Banished Words List has become a significant part of language and culture, with people from all over the world submitting their suggestions for words and phrases that should be banished. The list is not just about getting rid of words, but also about promoting more effective and accurate communication. By highlighting words and phrases that are worn out or misused, the list encourages people to think more critically about the language they use and to seek out more nuanced and descriptive words. The list also serves as a reflection of the changing times and the ways in which language evolves over time.
Conclusion and Future of the Banished Words List
In conclusion, the Lake Superior State University’s Banished Words List is a unique and fascinating tradition that highlights the ever-changing nature of language. The list provides a platform for people to share their thoughts and opinions on words and phrases that are worn out or misused, and it encourages more effective and accurate communication. If you’d like to nominate words for the 2027 list or learn more about the tradition, you can visit the Lake Superior State University website. The list will continue to evolve and reflect the changing times, and it will be interesting to see which words and phrases make it to the list in the future.