Have you seen the latest annual list of “banished words” from Lake Superior State University in Michigan? These include words and terms that are overused, misused and have, perhaps, become trite.
They chose fourteen words and terms they’d like to see go away in 2011. If you’re still using any of them, you might want to consider eliminating them from your vocabulary sometime soon.
The most disliked word of the year is “viral.” Second and third on the list are “epic” and “fail,” when describing “a blunder of monumental proportions,” according to reporter Ros Krasny.
These are not words that you habitually use? Wait, how about these terms: “a-ha moment,” “back story” and “wow factor.” Will you miss hearing the ring of these tired phrases or not? How would you feel to see “BFF” go by the wayside? And these critics are suggesting that we no longer use “Facebook” and “Google” as verbs. Now wait a minute… I do not think that’s going to happen.
“Man up” is another phrase that this group has deemed passé.
Read the rest of the 2011 banished words, their meanings and why they were nominated to be eliminated here http://www.lssu.edu/banished/current.php
What about the new words for 2011—here are a few: twenty-eleven, Obama-mess, Great Recession, Palinism and TwitFlocker.
What words would you like to see retired? Have you coined a new word or phrase lately? Want to share?
Visit Patricia Fry’s websites: http://www.patriciafry.com
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