Annual List of Words to Be Banished

[Spot's Meow]

Lake Superior State University has once again come out with their list of the words or phrases from the year that should be banished. There's several good ones on this list. Here it is:

This Year's List:

Bailout
Carbon footprint or carbon offsetting
Desperate search
First dude
Game changer
Green
Icon or iconic
It's that time of year again
Maverick
Monkey
Not so much
Staycation
Wall Street / Main Street
Winner of five nominations
<3 (Emoticon)

Article: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/01/entertainment/main4695305.shtml


I strongly agree with banishing maverick and bailout, as well as staycation. And so many things being described as green this year has been really annoying.

I remember the word that irritated me most from 2007: surge. It was everywhere, and so often.

The wall street to main street crap has been pretty obnoxious as well. What is up with "winner of five nominations"? I'm not getting the reference there.

What words/phrases would you like to add to the list?

 

[Zulu Romeo]

"John Sergeant" (esp. when used as a verb, although I seem to be the only one that does so)

 

[Capn Flukie]

chillax

 

[Apophis]

Some things I've been hearing at work have greatly irritated me all last year:

"What the French?" - as a substitute for the other F-word. I work at a place where 'blue' language is the norm, so I'm at a loss as to why someone introduced this one.

"Straight up" - I take this to mean, "yes" with emphasis.

"Your Mom" - ask a question, you have a 50% chance of getting this as an answer. I was resetting the master computer password a few weeks ago and asked a co-worker for a suggestion and got this. I used it.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Another one: the use of the word "medal" as a verb, especially during the Olympics this year. It conjures up inappropriate images in one's mind.

e.g. I plan on doing some serious medalling when I get to China.

 

[Mallory]

"John Sergeant" (esp. when used as a verb, although I seem to be the only one that does so)

I've never heard this one. Is there some background to it?

 

[cultcross]

"John Sergeant" (esp. when used as a verb, although I seem to be the only one that does so)

I've never heard this one. Is there some background to it?

John Sergeant was a celebrity contestant on BBC program 'Strictly come Dancing' this year who despite questionable talents, kept being voted back in by the viewers. He eventually quit the show, saying that he was in danger of winning, and that would be 'taking the joke too far'.

 

[Lindley]

He eventually quit the show, saying that he was in danger of winning, and that would be 'taking the joke too far'.

That's kind of awesome, actually.

 

[Aragorn]

Can we ban "canon" from this forum?

 

[Misfit Toy]

"TNZ"

 

[NCC1701]

^ That one has already been banned around these parts, didn't you get the memo?

 

[Red Ranger]

If I never hear the words, "Joe the Plumber," again, I'll be a happy man! "Maverick," too, enough of that shite! -- RR

 

[Red Ranger]

Can we ban "canon" from this forum?

Better yet, let's ban the misuse of the word "cannon" as an incorrect substitute for "canon"! Homonyms, people, learn your homonyms! -- RR

 

[Sakrysta]

If I never hear the words, "Joe the Plumber," again, I'll be a happy man!

Get out of my head!

I'll second the objection to "green" everything. I don't get the hate for the <3 emoticon, though. Maybe because neither I nor those I know use it to excess? I will give a hearty "begone!" to the declaration, "I Heart ______." That asininity (is that a word? it should be!) should join the ranks of the banished post-haste!

 

[trekkerguy]

And just who are they? Words are words and should go nowhere.
People, use them as you please. You don't need some damned University
to tell you what phrases and words are to be used. It's almost as bad
as fashion magazines deciding what's "in" or "out".

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Yes We Can

 

[JonathonWally]

And just who are they? Words are words and should go nowhere.
People, use them as you please. You don't need some damned University
to tell you what phrases and words are to be used. It's almost as bad
as fashion magazines deciding what's "in" or "out".

I'm glad to see you have a firm grasp of humor

 

[RJDiogenes]

Not "monkey."

 

[TGTheodore]

Fantastical.

I swear to God if one more ad or review uses that form of the word I'll track the copywriter down and kill him (or her).

It's so freaking pompous and people who use it are only trying to sound more educated, literate or erudite.

Get off the faux high-falutin' bandwagon and stop trying to come off British.

Use plain old "fantastic" -- if you must.

Better yet, screw all hyperbole ... the product is usually so bad, using the word is practically fraudulent advertising.

--Ted

 

[Capn Flukie]

^ on a related note, automagical.