It’s winter in Sault Saint Marie, MI, along the U.S./Canada international border; what else is there to do but shovel snow?
Word "czars" at Lake Superior State University (LSSU) "unfriended" 15 words and phrases and declared them "shovel-ready" for inclusion on the university's 35th annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.
"The list this year is a 'teachable moment' conducted free of 'tweets,'" said a Word Banishment spokesman who was "chillaxin'" for the holidays. "'In these economic times', purging our language of 'toxic assets' is a 'stimulus' effort that's 'too big to fail.'"
Former LSSU Public Relations Director Bill Rabe and friends created "word banishment" in 1975 at a New Year's Eve party and released the first list on New Year's Day. Since then, LSSU has received tens of thousands of nominations for the list, which includes words and phrases from marketing, media, education, technology and more.
Word-watchers may check the alphabetical "complete list" on the website before making their submissions.
On LSSU’s website you can also learn all about unicorn hunting, read up on the hunting regulations, and get your license before you set out on your quest.
Discussion
By Patrick Henry on Jan 02, 2010
We could build a list almost as long from passé graphic communications jargon that has lost its ability to signify but not its capacity to annoy. I'll begin by nominating "islands of automation."
By Erik Nikkanen on Jan 02, 2010
I would add "inherently variable". This term is used by people in the industry to avoid thinking about and correcting the fundamental problems that cause variability. The implication is that if something is inherently variable, then one can not do anything about it.
Used often with the description of print density variation in offset. The term just covers up an intellectual laziness to think.
By Michael J on Jan 02, 2010
I nominate "Social Media". It's just the part of the internet that is telephone on steroids.
http://ilnk.me/1219
Also, in my not so humble opinion, it's time to retire "Marketing Services Provider" and bring back Printer.
Discussion
Join the discussion Sign In or Become a Member, doing so is simple and free