Words and phrases to banish from everyday use

For the past 41 years, Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, has released an annual list of “Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.”

What began as a professor’s list of pet peeves of words and phrases he and his friends hate has become an annual tradition covered by national and international news outlets.

Here’s a recap of the 13 terms to banish from everyday use in 2016 (keep in mind the context and not just the words themselves).

break the Internet – a ridiculous exaggeration; only Al Gore can do this

conversation – used to give the semblance of polite discourse, when often it turns into partisan bickering

giving me life – I have not come across this term, which apparently refers to anything an individual finds exciting

manspreading – unnecessary word describing how some men take up a lot of space on public transportation seating

physicality – banned for its vagueness and overuse among sportscasters

presser – I’m happy to say none of my colleagues at S&A have ever used this term in place of “press conference” or “press release”

price point – “price” works just fine

problematic – overused to convey anything inconvenient or undesirable

secret sauce – unless you are a chef, don’t use this term, especially in describing a process

so – Don’t use it to begin a sentence. “So how about that new ‘Star Wars’ movie?”

stakeholder – not everyone with a general interest (e.g., customer, client, partner) is a stakeholder

vape – I would content it’s a legitimate word but the list makers don’t approve of it

walk it back – just retract a statement, don’t “walk it back”

If you’d like to suggest a word or term to banish, LSSU welcomes online submissions.