Banned From the Vernacular: School Releases Latest List of Unwanted Words

The "fiscal cliff" is an expression that has been at the forefront of everybody's mind lately, as websites and news channels race to cover the impending tax hike that could go into effect at the beginning of the new year.

But did you know the expression is also being singled out for another reason?

Yes, "fiscal cliff" and eleven other words, phrases and expressions were named to Lake Superior State University's 38th annual List of Words to be Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness.

According to the school's website, the tongue-in-cheek tradition began on New Years Eve in 1975, when the school's former public relations director and other employees thought it would be fun to banish some overused words from the English language.

The initial list was published on January 1, 1976, and it has been a hit ever since.

According to the school, the list is chosen from nominations submitted to the university's website at www.lssu.edu/banished.

This year there was no shortage of expressions to add to the already 800 that have been named over the past three and a half decades. 

Here are the dirty dozen that made this year's banished list:

• Fiscal Cliff
• Kick the Can Down the Road
• Double Down
• Job Creators/Creation
• Passion/Passionate
• YOLO
• Spoiler Alert!
• Bucket List
• Trending
• Superfood
• Boneless Wings
• Guru

Of the dozen I'd say I'm guilty of using at least two of them on a regular basis.

But the one I have to wholeheartedly agree with is "boneless wings."

As one person who commented on the choice said, "Can we just call them chicken (pieces)?"

What words or expressions are you tired of hearing, Harborites? Any from this list, or perhaps you have one of your own? Let us know in the comments below.