List of words which should be banned in 2009
“Maverick”, “iconic” and “desperate search” should be banned because they have lost their meaning and become useless, according to a group of academics.
The words appear on the List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness which features several all too common remarks.
The annual list, of which this is the 34th, is produced by Lake Superior State University in Michigan, USA, and compiled by academics from contributions from the public.
Maverick’s overuse during the American election, perhaps in the description of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, has “diluted” its meaning.
Iconic is now “overused to the point where everything from a fast-food restaurant chain to celebrities is 'iconic’”.
And almost all searches reported in the media appear to be desperate, in an apparent attempt to over-dramatise otherwise relatively mundane stories.
It includes less familiar words to British readers such as “First Dude” - the nickname for the husband of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin; and “staycation”, which is a holiday spent at home.
There is also the image <3, used in texting to represent a heart and sent instead of saying “I love you”.
Green - The ubiquitous “green” and all of its variables, such as “going green”, “building green”, “greening”, “green technology”, “green solutions” and more, drew the most attention from those who sent in nominations this year.
Carbon footprint/carbon offsetting - “It is now considered fashionable for everyone, tree hugger or lumberjack alike, to pay money to questionable companies to 'offset’ their own 'carbon footprint’. What a scam! Get rid of it immediately!” Ginger Hunt, London, England.
Maverick - “The constant repetition of this word for months before the US election diluted whatever meaning it previously had. Even the comic offshoot 'mavericky’ was terribly overused. A minimum five-year banishment of both words is suggested so they will not be available during the next federal election.” Matthew Mattila, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
First Dude - “Skateboard English is not an appropriate way to refer to the spouse of a high-ranking public official.” Paul Ruschmann, Canton, Michigan.
Bailout - “Use of emergency funds to remove toxic assets from banks’ balance sheets is not a bailout. When your cousin calls you from jail in the middle of the night, he wants a bailout.” Ben Green, State College, Pennsylvania.
Wall Street/Main Street - “It’s simply over-used. No 'serious’ discussion of the crisis can take place without some political figure lamenting the fact that the trouble on Wall Street is affecting 'folks’ on Main Street.” Charles Harrison, Aiken, South Carolina.
Monkey - “Especially on the Internet, many people seem to think they can make any boring name sound more attractive just by adding the word 'monkey’ to it. Do a search to find the latest. It is no longer funny.” Rogier Landman, Somerville, Massachusetts.
<3 - This is supposed to resemble a heart, or stand for the word “love”. Used when sending those important text messages to loved ones. “Just say the word instead of making me turn my head sideways and wondering what 'less than three’ means.” Andrea Estrada, Chicago.
Icon/iconic - “Everyone and everything cannot be 'iconic’. Can’t we switch to 'legendary’ or 'famous for’? In our entertainment-driven culture, it seems everyone in show business is 'iconic’ for some reason or another. “John Flood, Bray, Wicklow, Ireland.
Game changer - “It’s game OVER for this cliché, which gets overused in the news media, political arenas and in business.” Cynthia, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Staycation - “Occurrences of this word are going up with gas prices. 'Vacation’ does not mean 'travel’, nor does travel always involve vacation. Let’s send this word on a slow boat to nowhere.” Dan Muldoon, Omaha, Nebraska.
Desperate search - “Every time the news can’t find something intelligent to report, they start on a 'desperate search’ for someone, somewhere.” Rick A. Hyatt, Saratoga, Wyoming.
Not so much - “Do I like concise writing? Yes. Do I like verbose clichés? Not so much.” David W. Downing, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Winner of five nominations - “It hasn’t won an Academy Award yet. It has only been NOMINATED!” John Bohenek, Abilene, Texas.
It’s that time of year again - “When is it not 'that time of year again’? From Valentine’s sales to year-end charity letters, invitations to summer picnics and Christmas parties, it’s 'that time’ of year again. Just get to the point of the solicitation, invitation, and newsletter and cut out six useless and annoying words.” Kathleen Brosemer of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
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The words appear on the List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness which features several all too common remarks.
The annual list, of which this is the 34th, is produced by Lake Superior State University in Michigan, USA, and compiled by academics from contributions from the public.
Maverick’s overuse during the American election, perhaps in the description of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, has “diluted” its meaning.
Iconic is now “overused to the point where everything from a fast-food restaurant chain to celebrities is 'iconic’”.
And almost all searches reported in the media appear to be desperate, in an apparent attempt to over-dramatise otherwise relatively mundane stories.
It includes less familiar words to British readers such as “First Dude” - the nickname for the husband of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin; and “staycation”, which is a holiday spent at home.
There is also the image <3, used in texting to represent a heart and sent instead of saying “I love you”.
Green - The ubiquitous “green” and all of its variables, such as “going green”, “building green”, “greening”, “green technology”, “green solutions” and more, drew the most attention from those who sent in nominations this year.
Carbon footprint/carbon offsetting - “It is now considered fashionable for everyone, tree hugger or lumberjack alike, to pay money to questionable companies to 'offset’ their own 'carbon footprint’. What a scam! Get rid of it immediately!” Ginger Hunt, London, England.
Maverick - “The constant repetition of this word for months before the US election diluted whatever meaning it previously had. Even the comic offshoot 'mavericky’ was terribly overused. A minimum five-year banishment of both words is suggested so they will not be available during the next federal election.” Matthew Mattila, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
First Dude - “Skateboard English is not an appropriate way to refer to the spouse of a high-ranking public official.” Paul Ruschmann, Canton, Michigan.
Bailout - “Use of emergency funds to remove toxic assets from banks’ balance sheets is not a bailout. When your cousin calls you from jail in the middle of the night, he wants a bailout.” Ben Green, State College, Pennsylvania.
Wall Street/Main Street - “It’s simply over-used. No 'serious’ discussion of the crisis can take place without some political figure lamenting the fact that the trouble on Wall Street is affecting 'folks’ on Main Street.” Charles Harrison, Aiken, South Carolina.
Monkey - “Especially on the Internet, many people seem to think they can make any boring name sound more attractive just by adding the word 'monkey’ to it. Do a search to find the latest. It is no longer funny.” Rogier Landman, Somerville, Massachusetts.
<3 - This is supposed to resemble a heart, or stand for the word “love”. Used when sending those important text messages to loved ones. “Just say the word instead of making me turn my head sideways and wondering what 'less than three’ means.” Andrea Estrada, Chicago.
Icon/iconic - “Everyone and everything cannot be 'iconic’. Can’t we switch to 'legendary’ or 'famous for’? In our entertainment-driven culture, it seems everyone in show business is 'iconic’ for some reason or another. “John Flood, Bray, Wicklow, Ireland.
Game changer - “It’s game OVER for this cliché, which gets overused in the news media, political arenas and in business.” Cynthia, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Staycation - “Occurrences of this word are going up with gas prices. 'Vacation’ does not mean 'travel’, nor does travel always involve vacation. Let’s send this word on a slow boat to nowhere.” Dan Muldoon, Omaha, Nebraska.
Desperate search - “Every time the news can’t find something intelligent to report, they start on a 'desperate search’ for someone, somewhere.” Rick A. Hyatt, Saratoga, Wyoming.
Not so much - “Do I like concise writing? Yes. Do I like verbose clichés? Not so much.” David W. Downing, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Winner of five nominations - “It hasn’t won an Academy Award yet. It has only been NOMINATED!” John Bohenek, Abilene, Texas.
It’s that time of year again - “When is it not 'that time of year again’? From Valentine’s sales to year-end charity letters, invitations to summer picnics and Christmas parties, it’s 'that time’ of year again. Just get to the point of the solicitation, invitation, and newsletter and cut out six useless and annoying words.” Kathleen Brosemer of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Source