Banished words for 2011

Beach Fanatic

Dec 31, '10 · 9:09 AM976

So you're the public relations director for a small state university in the middle of nowhere in the 1970s, and in the name of getting your school's name out there send out a simple press release, and from there it becomes a tradition...

It may have been word of the year in some wheelhouses, but "refudiate" wasn't looked upon favorably by many who sent in nominations for Lake Superior State University's 36th annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness, which was released on New Year's Eve.

In a busy U.S. election year, "the American People" told LSSU they were tired of not only "refudiate," but also "mama grizzlies" who wanted their opponents to "man up."

But words and phrases related to technology and the way we communicate dominated the list for 2011, including "viral," "epic," "fail," and the use of websites "Facebook" and "Google" as verbs. "Viral" received the most nominations.

The "back story" on LSSU's popular list began on Jan. 1, 1976, when former LSSU Public Relations Director Bill Rabe and a group of friends each contributed a few expressions that they disliked to form the first list. After that, the nominations stacked up for future lists and Rabe's group, known then as The Unicorn Hunters, didn't have to make up its own list again. LSSU receives well over 1,000 nominations annually through its website, lssu.edu/banished.

And now, here's a look at the 2011 list. Get ready for the "wow factor!" It's full of "epic" "a-ha moments" that are sure to "viral." It's a no-"fail" list that you'll be "facebooking" and "googling" with your "BFFs." "Just sayin'."

On to the 2011 Banished Words List...

Lake Superior State University :: Banished Words List :: Banished Words List

Replies

beats on hood

Dec 31, '10 · 9:38 AM#2

I think that the word "awesome" should be banned. I am tired of hearing it as the only adjective to describe anything that is exceptionally good. Find some more adjectives, people.

Also I am already tired of "ridiculous" being used in a similar manner, as in, "Those shoes are ridiculous." For those of you who don't know, that means the person saying this thinks that the shoes are, well, awesome.:lol:

SoWal Insider

Dec 31, '10 · 10:29 AM#3

Kick A$$ ya'll!

Is that better than "awesome"?

I like the BFFN. :lol:

Beach Fanatic

Dec 31, '10 · 12:20 PM#4

I think that the word "awesome" should be banned. I am tired of hearing it as the only adjective to describe anything that is exceptionally good. Find some more adjectives, people.

Also I am already tired of "ridiculous" being used in a similar manner, as in, "Those shoes are ridiculous." For those of you who don't know, that means the person saying this thinks that the shoes are, well, awesome.:lol:

I did NOT know this!
So Thanks for these 2 'ridiculous' gifts... Learning AND Laughter! :clap:

margarita brocolia

Dec 31, '10 · 12:22 PM#5

.
Thanks beachmouse!
I'm definitely guilty of googling! ..:lol:

Beach Fanatic

Dec 31, '10 · 12:24 PM#6

yada-yada.

I never knew a term could make me LIKE the ever heinous: shut-up.

Beach Comber

Dec 31, '10 · 1:41 PM#7

I think that the word "awesome" should be banned. I am tired of hearing it as the only adjective to describe anything that is exceptionally good. Find some more adjectives, people.

Also I am already tired of "ridiculous" being used in a similar manner, as in, "Those shoes are ridiculous." For those of you who don't know, that means the person saying this thinks that the shoes are, well, awesome.:lol:

I'm with you on the "awesome" no matter who says it and what they are talking about, I stop listening.

Also, amazing is so over used!

Beach Fanatic

Dec 31, '10 · 2:56 PM#8

Passion.. It seems as if everyone I hear says " It is my passion" which makes what they are doing seem less sincere.

SoWal Guide

Dec 31, '10 · 3:21 PM#9

I think that the word "awesome" should be banned. I am tired of hearing it as the only adjective to describe anything that is exceptionally good. Find some more adjectives, people.

Also I am already tired of "ridiculous" being used in a similar manner, as in, "Those shoes are ridiculous." For those of you who don't know, that means the person saying this thinks that the shoes are, well, awesome.:lol:

awesome has been overused for years!!! surely there are other words with similar meaning just waiting for us to overdose upon! we seem to be stuck on awesome and amazing.

SoWal Guide

Dec 31, '10 · 3:27 PM#10

Passion.. It seems as if everyone I hear says " It is my passion" which makes what they are doing seem less sincere.

agreed. its also like when people say "its just the kind of person I am..." when describing something wonderful about self... which automatically has very little meaning to have to hear it. self-confidence is one thing. self-promoting (usually falsely) quite another.

beats on hood

Dec 31, '10 · 4:43 PM#11

I'm with you on the "awesome" no matter who says it and what they are talking about, I stop listening.

Also, amazing is so over used!

I agree. When the judges on those TV talent shows evaluate a performance and say, "That was amazing," I roll my eyes. Aren't they capable of critiquing the performance with more descriptive words?

That being said, I watch those shows. :blush:

Beach Fanatic

Dec 31, '10 · 4:50 PM#12

They should say "your performance brought tears to my eyes".....they'd be covered either way.

beats on hood

Dec 31, '10 · 11:16 PM#13

They should say "your performance brought tears to my eyes".....they'd be covered either way.

Good one.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 1, '11 · 8:17 AM#14

My kids & their friends use the word "random," seemingly, to mean "arbitrary." Sorry, but I don't like it.

Oh, yeah, puleeze, get rid of "My Bad."
Uggh!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jan 1, '11 · 9:26 AM#15

"My Bad" is on their 1998 list, so it's been annoying many for a good long time:

Lake Superior State University :: Banished Words List :: 1998

Beach Fanatic

Jan 2, '11 · 4:38 PM#16

"miracle"

Beach Fanatic

Jan 2, '11 · 5:24 PM#17

I did NOT know this!
So Thanks for these 2 'ridiculous' gifts... Learning AND Laughter! :clap:

I think that the word "awesome" should be banned. I am tired of hearing it as the only adjective to describe anything that is exceptionally good. Find some more adjectives, people.

Also I am already tired of "ridiculous" being used in a similar manner, as in, "Those shoes are ridiculous." For those of you who don't know, that means the person saying this thinks that the shoes are, well, awesome.:lol:

I'm tired of the shoes not being just ridiculous, but "sick":idontno:as well.