Since 1975 Lake Superior State University has created an annual list of banished words. The list is meant to target words that are overused and abused in the English language. Words are considered from nominations received through the LSSU website. This year's list of nominees exceeded 2,000.
The final list of banished words for 2008 includes nineteen words and phrases that have been so overused they need to be retired.
Here's a recap of the words that made LSSU's list of banished words for 2008:
- Perfect storm
- Webinar
- Waterboarding
- Organic
- Wordsmith/wordsmithing
- Author/authored
- Post 9/11
- Surge
- Giveback
- 'Blank' is the new 'Blank' or 'X' is the new 'Y'
- Black Friday
- Back in the day
- Random
- Sweet
- Decimate
- Emotional
- Pop
- It is what it is
- Under the bus
I have to admit the only word on this list that really bothers me is 'organic' which I agree is incredibly overused. However, if these words were nominated for the banished words list and actually were found to be some of the worst offenders of overuse and abuse, then it stands to reason that there are many people who dislike these words and phrases. Copywriters and marketers take heed! These might be words to avoid in future marketing campaigns and business communications or you may run the risk of annoying your customers.
What do you think of LSSU's list of banished words? Are there any words or phrases you'd like to add to the list? What other words and phrases do you think copywriters should avoid because they're overused and have lost their meaningfulness to customers? I nominate 'guarantee' and 'free' to that list.
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