海角社区

海角社区 Unveils 2025 Banished Words List

Jan 01, 2025

颁辞苍迟补肠迟:听 Kimberly Muller, [email protected]

(Sault Ste. Marie, MI)聽 鈥� A new year brings the promise of fresh beginnings, but it is also the perfect moment to reflect on the words and phrases that may have worn out their welcome. 海角社区 (LSSU) proudly reveals the 2025 edition of its Banished Words List, a quirky tradition that dates back to 1976, when former LSSU Public Relations Director Bill Rabe and his colleagues delighted word enthusiasts with the first 鈥淟ist of Words Banished from the Queen鈥檚 English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness鈥�.

Each year, this lighthearted list shines a spotlight on words and terms that are overused, misused, or simply unnecessary. It offers a moment to laugh, pause, and consider how we can be more mindful of the language we use every day.

鈥淲ords matter! Old habits can be hard to break and we鈥檙e happy to serve as a resource for the court of public opinion on what should continue to be part of the English language and what needs to be put to rest,鈥� says Lake Superior State President, Dr. David Travis.聽聽

LSSU received submissions from across the globe this year, including entries from Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, India, South Africa, and the United States. The fact that some of the same banished word suggestions came from different parts of the world underscores the universal struggle of dealing with challenging words and phrases.聽

Here are the 2025 words and phrases selected for banishment, along with the reasons they made the list:

• Cringe

While 鈥渃ringe鈥� once packed a punch, it has now overstayed its welcome. Overuse has dulled its impact, and ironically, using it might now cause the very reaction it describes.聽 鈥淪aying someone 鈥榗aused you to cringe鈥� or stating that 鈥榶ou cringed at something鈥� is a pretty easy and proper way to use the word,鈥� writes Ash from Newton, Alabama.聽 鈥淗earing someone say 鈥榮omeone is so cringe鈥� makes me cringe!鈥�

• Game Changer

How many times can a game change before it is no longer recognizable? This phrase, often used to describe anything remotely innovative, is as tired as a well-worn clich茅. 鈥淣othing is a game changer if everything is a game changer,鈥� writes Patrick of Washington, DC.

• Era

Unless you are Taylor Swift, it might be time to leave 鈥渆ra鈥� behind. The term鈥檚 overuse has made every fleeting moment feel like it demands a historical marker. Leah of Holland, Michigan submits, 鈥淭hanks to the name of Taylor Swift鈥檚 tour, now there is an 鈥榚ra鈥� for everyone and everything!聽 鈥楬e鈥檚 in his fatherhood era鈥�, 鈥楽he鈥檚 in her pottery-making era,鈥� etc., etc..聽 It鈥檚 overused and tiring.鈥�

• Dropped

Once edgy and cool, 鈥渄ropped鈥� has become more of a letdown. Whether it is an album, a trend, or a product, this term has fallen flat.聽 鈥淏ooks, music, and all kinds of unnecessary things are currently being 鈥榙ropped鈥� rather than introduced, released, or offered for sale.聽 Banished for overuse, misuse, abuse, and hurting my head when all that “dropping” stuff lands on me!,鈥� laments Susan of Littleton, CO.

• IYKYK (If You Know, You Know)

Internet slang and texting abbreviations are often fan-favorites of Banished Word submitters each year.聽 Cryptic and exclusionary, this phrase offers little clarity or substance. If you know, you might agree it is time to let this one go.聽 Amy from Redford, MI feels this phrase should go for being both irritating and nonsensical.

• Sorry Not Sorry

A half-hearted apology masquerading as bold honesty, this phrase feels as disingenuous as it sounds. Banished Word enthusiasts recommend聽 just saying what you mean or in at least one case showing a little kindness.聽 Sabrina from Wrenshall, MN writes, 鈥淚t is really tiring to hear, and it is giving people another reason to be jerks to one another.鈥�

• Skibidi

This viral word may have resonated with a younger crowd, but for many it is just noise. Agatha from Denmark explains, 鈥淣obody cares about a Skibidi toilet, Skibidi fizz, or Skibidi Ohio fanum tax. At this point, nobody even knows what it means and it just annoys people.鈥�

• 100%

Is it possible to be over-enthusiastic about retiring the phrase 鈥�100%鈥�? Absolutely! Its overuse has left no room for nuance or doubt.聽 A phrase predominantly nominated for its overuse, some felt it was simply not applicable.聽 鈥淪ince when should a percentage be used to describe your agreement in a conversation?鈥� asked Stephen from Sudbury, Ontario.聽聽

• Utilize

A classic offender, 鈥渦tilize鈥� proves that longer is not always better. Why complicate things when 鈥渦se鈥� works just fine?聽 Everett from Cumby, Texas encourages readers to 鈥淲rite like you talk,鈥� and added, 鈥淟ord, I hope you don鈥檛 talk like that.鈥�

• Period

Yes, we understand your point鈥攏o need to verbally punctuate it. Overuse has turned this into a period we are ready to end.聽 Theresa from Detroit, MI, recommends that we banish this word by putting it in a bottle and sending it out to sea.聽聽

As LSSU celebrates the 49th year of this playful tradition, the whimsical Banished Words List continues to highlight the dynamic nature of communication and how words and phrases strongly affect our everyday life.

To nominate a word or phrase for the 2026 Banished Words List, or to learn more about the tradition, visit lssu.edu/traditions/banishedwords.