January 2, 2011

The 2011 List of Banished Words

Every year, Lake Superior State University releases its “Banished Word List” and this year offers up a mostly computer / techie-based list of words or phrases which you may want to avoid in 2011. Here are a few:

Viral: A word typically used to describe popularity or attention received about something posted on the Internet. It seems to apply most to well-known and much emailed videos on YouTube.

Epic: Something that was “epic” used to mean….umm a poem written by Homer, or perhaps a grand movie directed by Spielberg. Now the word “epic” means nothing but an “epic fail”, “epic win”, “epic…..whatever”.

Fail: Often used today as a noun or an adjective, everyone over-uses it.

Wow Factor: Used a lot by advertisers or media organizations to gain your attention so you watch as long as possible – their “staying factor” remains as long as possible. What really “wowed” you in 2010?

A-Ha Moment: Newton had one, and maybe Ben Franklin. It’s the moment when you realize something and achieve clarity.

BFF: Do you have one? Having one is soooo much more important than the acronym.

Man-Up: What does it mean anyways? Be tough? Be strong?

Refudiate: Created by Sarah Palin and made fun of by us all…….

I’m Just Sayin’: Usually people who use this term have nothing to say…..

Facebook / Google as verbs: We all do this don’t we? In fact, I just googled the phrase “wow factor”.

Live Life top the Fullest: Well, we hope you do anyways.