Dave_Berry

"Lake Superior State University "maverick" word-watchers, fresh from the holiday 'staycation' but without an economic 'bailout' even after a 'desperate search,' have issued their 34th annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness." Essayists beware!

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

laxtaxi

My suggested additions of banned words and phrases for the CC community:

CHANCE ME: Overused to the point where it has become meaningless. Most often used by overqualified potential applicants looking for affirmation.

DD/DS/DH/DW: Since when are we all so darling?

Sabster

^ I enthusiastically agree with both of those suggestions.

Dave_Berry

How about "OMG"?

faustarp

I don't particularly like the use of chance as a verb either. people say they'll "chance it" I think, when talking about taking a chance, don't they? like, "the roads are pretty snowy, but I'll chance it." as it's used on CC, though, I agree it's not great.

I love that list too! well some of it. my favorite is at the top: "green." I love environmental stuff (voluntarily taking courses in it) but that word is just sooo overused. no meaning is left. look up "greenwashing" if you haven't heard of it (although it is a bit of a linguistically questionable word itself...I'm glad to see something succinct to describe the phenomenon though.)
if something is green it ought to be green like Kermit!

I think the person who doesn't like <3 doesn't get the nuance! I don't use that but I can certainly understand how it's usefully different.

I like OMG because it quickly conveys a clear meaning. that's hard to do in text. (internet text! not essays!!)

AKittka

"<3" should not be banned. it's just a symbol of affection and doesn't mean "love" necessarily.

I can't stand "green" and "going green." I feel like every company or advertisement tries to gain the respect of the customer by promoting themselves as "green." I liked that one.

i also can't stand "lol." it just looks so childish and has lost all meaning because it's used so much.

zfox001

My favorite thing: "CHANCE ME AND ILL CHANCE YOU BACK"

haha....i think that chancing is just people looking for an ego boost or an argument

ShesOnHerWay

Oh no, my D2 used "carbon footprint" in her essay!

Oh wait, she was already excepted ED. Whew. Good thing this list came out after her acceptance.

Butternut

I agree with the list, especially the Wall Street/Main Street one.

One for the CC community: passion/s. please, just stop.

AKittka

but i don't really see any passion in your ECs...

simpson98

Epic- It NEEDS to stop!!!

I've heard everything from songs to games to jeans to pizza being described as "SOOO Epic!!!" What words are our generation going to use when they need to describe something truly big? We're running out of them.

Closely related: "Epic Fail"

rb3

Nice list!!.. except if they want to ban the heart because they have to turn their head sideways to read it.. that says more about them than the heart <3

Obstinate

I think the word "your" and the phrase "you're" need to be banned for six months, so people can learn how to use them correctly.

If I had a dime for everyone said "your" when they meant "you're" I'd be richer than Bill Gates. Christ, it's simple English!

xSteven

Oh my goddddddddd I agree with the second one. It also semi-annoys me when people use D1, D2, S2, D48, S36. Children aren't numbers =(

Modulation

Oh, so that's what DD/DS/DH/DW means... Wow... I've always wondered.