Hi Neighbor!
In 1976, Lake Superior State University was suffering an identity crisis. Originally a branch of Michigan College of Mining and Technology, the school became autonomous in 1970, but no one really knew that. To drum up publicity, LSSU’s PR director published a “Banished Words List,” featuring overused, misused and simply unnecessary words and phrases from the English lexicon. After attracting international media attention, the list became an annual tradition. Anyone may suggest a word for inclusion, and this year LSSU received submissions from Australia, Denmark, Germany, India and South Africa.
OK enough background. Here’s the 2025 Banished Words List:
• Cringe…full disclosure my kids have called me “cringey.”
• Game Changer…What isn’t a game changer these days?!? Game OVER.
• Dropped…as in, “That album/book/collection drops tomorrow.”
• IYKYK (If You Know, You Know)
• Sorry Not Sorry…I texted this to a friend in December, when I “stole” her gift at a White Elephant exchange. I thought I was being clever! Sigh.
• Era…sorry Swifties!
• Skibidi…I’ll never understand this one, no matter how many times my kids try to explain it to me.
• 100% (Does the emoji count?)
• Utilize…Life is complicated enough; just stick with “use.”
• Period. Full stop. TODAY.
What words or phrases would you add? Gems from past lists include Slay (2024), Wait for it (2024), Quiet Quitting (2023), You’re on Mute (2022), SWAG (2021), 24/7 (2000), Chill Out (1980) and LOL (2004).
Living My Best Life (2020),
Kate
I simply cannot abide “tools and toolbox” when referring to methods used to address concerts. “We’ll use every tool in our toolbox to help alleviate homelessness” for example. Tools are made of metal to repair things: screwdrivers, hammers, etc. And they are kept in a metal box to keep them safe, protected from degrading elements, and from tiny fingers attached to small children!
I simply cannot abide “tools and toolbox” when referring to methods used to address concerts. “We’ll use every tool in our toolbox to help alleviate homelessness” for example. Tools are made of metal to repair things: screwdrivers, hammers, etc. And they are kept in a metal box to keep them safe, protected from degrading elements, and from tiny fingers attached to small children!
View lessI absolutely hate the phrase “low hanging fruit“. Many people use this to describe profiting from or taking advantage of the things that are easy to get.
I absolutely hate the phrase “low hanging fruit“. Many people use this to describe profiting from or taking advantage of the things that are easy to get.
View less