Michigan’s Lake Superior State University just released its list of overused and misused words, saying the likes of “polar vortex,” “hack,” and “skill set” ought to be outright banned from use.
The annual “List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness” was selected by a committee composed of members who mulled submissions from the public, United Press International reported. And topping this year’s list: The term “bad,” or “before anyone else,” UPI said.
“How stupid! Stop calling your boyfriend ’bae,’ ” wrote Evie Dunagan of Manheim, Pennsylvania, in her submission sheet, UPI said.
“Polar vortex” was also among the bashed words, along with “hack,” as in “life hacks” and other deemed over-used and misused references, UPI said.
“Suddenly things that once would have been called ’tips’ are now being called ’hacks.’ It can’t be because the one word is shorter or easier to say and the actual accepted meanings of ’hack’ have nothing to do with suggestions for doing tasks better or more efficiently — quite the opposite, really,” wrote Sharla Hulsey of Sac City, Iowa, UPI said.
The school also added “swag” to its list after numerous nominations. And other words on the list: “foodie,” “curate,” “friend-raising,” “cra-cra,” “enhanced interrogation,” and “takeaway, UPI reported.
The list has been compiled for 40 years.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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