SQUEZZE ME PLEaSE

I don’t think they should be banned, anyone who gets offended by them are too sensitive.

I think bad words should be banned though, they are un called for

Epic. So overused it’s not even funny.

What about, like, ‘like’?

aint
cool

I’m surprised that “epic” was not put on the list. That word had been plastered everywhere in popular culture in 2011. I actually hadn’t heard a lot of these terms that much, if not at all.

This is craZy man!!!!!!

Winning should be on the list!!

ccooll

i don’t think those words should be banished because if they are the most often words used than that means those are people’s favorite words to say and they would’nt be happy if they were banished especially amazing.

“Bucket List” should be banned!

I never heard it before the movie came out and I find it just irritating as can be! I feel that it is being used now as an excuse to mention things people would like to do, but honestly wouldn’t care if they never happen. It seemed to me before, that if you said you wanted to do something, like hike the Pacific Trail, before you died, there tended to be more thought and more significance to the desire. I feel like the “bucket list” now is being applied to anything and everything, really reducing the significance of sharing that you wish to do something specific, before your life ends. It discounts the pursuit of unique personal goals to complete an activity.

The word “legit” pisses me off. It’s pretty overused I think.

I’d banish “pet peeve” and “trended.”

How can “Amazing” be offensive?

how the hell did “steampunk” not make this list????

No, words should NEVER be banned or banished. It’s against freedom of speech, as per the Consititution of the United States of America. Although I will admit those words WERE overused, that only means that more people should learn what the words mean instead of using them too often.

These words should not be banned. It’s called the first amendment, which happens to include freedom of speech and we are entitled to it. Curse words aren’t banned, but they are also “offensive” and often offend people.

I think “seriously” should have made the list too.

*Epic* should not be used hyperbolically to describe something good.

The words should be banished by the curse/bad words that have been around by common, urban people, and also the words that were overused by racism.

I actually did call my friend out last year for using “Amazing” far too often on silly things, but I had no idea there was actually a list like this. Amaz–um, nevermind!

I’m sick of hearing “Occupy” as well. From the news and all.

Amazing, Baby Bump, Shared Sacrifice, Occupy, Blowback, keka, katti

guys, before going all “first amendment” up in here, take a sec and read the article…these words aren’t ACTUALLY being banned. It’s kind of a joke; whoever made the list believes these words are overused and sometimes misused… we get it. Freedom of speech. Calm down.

“sick” should be on the list and no $#!+ there is a first amendment they are recomending that you should stop using them because people are annoyed by people over using them they really arent banishing them and “epic”, “Occupy”, and “legit” should be on the list

What does any of this have to do with dogs in raincoats? That was the subject of the “question” that led to this page. Other than the ridiculus phote of the Chihuahua in the yellow slicker, there is nothing about dogs in raincoats mentioned on this entire page. How dross!

Dictionary.com RULES!

swag

I think that some of these people should read the article in the first link, and stop taking this list so seriously.

If you ban “amazing”, then we lose one beautiful hymn, “Amazing Grace”.

I feel like the “bucket list” now is being applied to anything and everything, really reducing the significance of sharing that you wish to do something specific.

I think it should be noted that NPR isn’t saying these words should actually be banned. I’m pretty sure they’re saying “People, these words are idiotic. Stop.” I can make a good list of words I’m sick of people saying myself, actually, and with reasons.

Baby Bump: This is supposed to be a cute word describing the belly of a pregnant woman. It sounds like a toddler’s head injury.
Man Cave: This is a coded message. Say it backwards, and you have the sort of guy who would actually have one.
Thank you in advance: Another coded message, this is another way of saying “I’m volunteering you to do this job.”
Pooch: Call me crazy, but this sounds to me like a meat euphemism, like pork and beef. Who wants a hot dog? Made with real Chihuahua.
Epic: Epic is not an adjective, and refers to cosmically impressive stories about heroes, real or fictional. And as far as a trend? It’s long since died.
Ironic: Ironically, the people who actually understand irony never say it, while those who don’t always do. Then again, big mouths, small brains.
Amazing: Like “Epic,” people use “Amazing” for things well below its bar. But hey, it’s still the right part-of-speech.

You can ban the words. But you can’t stop people to use these most popular and sensitive words!

the most overused word in the celebrity world is “devastated”!! Because being voted off a pointless show brings devastation……………right……..

The overused word impact should be relegated to it’s original meaning.
This would probably ‘impact’ most political and economics commentators, rendering them incapable of finishing a sentence.

Is “ginormous” really a neologism? Irish people have been using it for years and years!

my Bad…?..should be banished

I would like to see the word “basically” banned. It seems to have become the modern version of “umm” , a noise you make while trying to think of what you want to say.

Dark Caller and Katie, do you take everything so literally? If someone tells you to “break a leg”, do you explain that you’d rather not as it would be painful? I would assume the Lake Superior State University in Michigan are not proposing this as a Bill to be passed through Congress. Perhaps the Constitution of the United States of America and the First Amendment usually concern more serious cases than a witty list created in jest.

I don’t think these words are considered offensive, more that they are overused and we are sick of them, my least favorite are amazing, baby bump and man cave. And I agree with the other reader Epic should be on the list.

I think ‘basically’ should be BANNED!

I’m with Leina, “like” should be banned! it’s LIKE, irritating ttm when used unnecessarily by my pals! >.< No offense, fans of "like…"

Overused? Absolutely! Yes, absolutely. Listen to any radio or tv interview. The answer to most questions is, Absolutely! Absolutely what?

Basically……drives me crazy when people say it in every sentence.

The irony of some of these comments is amusing to say the least. Considering this is an article on dictionary.com, its unsettling to see the amount of people confusing ‘banished’ with ‘banned’. Maybe they should read the article in full, then search the definition of ‘banned’ and ‘banished’

How about “kinda” and “actually”

How the heck is Amazing annoying? if it is that annoying what is stopping u from telling that person that it is?? you had enought “cojhones” to write comments on this article yet u can’t say that to their face.And yes i know i wrote “balls” in spanish wrong. see how if feels to be ANNOYING with just a simple word? If you know anyone that totaly flips out then you know what i am talking about. Also I agree with Eli,Uncle Sam
And IHEARDRUMS that is true How did “steampunk” not get up on that fricking list?????

These words should be banned for REAL and enforced by a special police unit of officers with very large ears!

How about “no worries”? That should be on the list.

UncleSam=DarkCaller

You guys sound so pretentious quoting the First Amendment. It’s not like there’s going to be police around to arrest you if you use a banished word. There’s no one stopping you from saying one. ‘Epic’ and ‘viral’ are both banished words, but most people still say them.
On the matter of the article, I don’t think overused words should be banished, but if they are misused more than they are used correctly they should.
REMEMBER, banning a word doesn’t take it out of a dictionary. It just indicates that this words is being overused or misused much too often.

In sports reporting, please — please — stop saying “walkoff,” as in “Ramirez came through with a walkoff double in the bottom of the tenth.”

Wow.
People.
Think.
Realy.
Now that you are engaged in thinking, go back and read the article, but pretend you are reading the Weekly World News, or The Onion, or Mad Magazine or something.
Now.
Can you see the humorous used of the word “bannished”. It’s like a joke to get you think about how the words on the list are overused or misused.
See?
Nothing to get upset about…
Breathe.

#twinning (;

“Absolutely!” is a bit over worked.

“Really, reeeeally, really?” It’s everywhere and it has an arrogant note of “I understand things so much better than you.” Sometimes it may be true but, if they’re so smart, find a more original word!

Besides ‘baby bump’, how about ‘baby momma’ and ‘baby daddy’?!

And yeah, now that you mention it, what’s up with the dog in the raincoat? Oh, I get it- silly clothes for dogs should also be banned;-)

iconic
icon
bum for butt
Kardashian

how can amazing be offensive?

*totally* and *really* and *like* i hear get overused A LOT!!!!!

*totally* and *really* and *like* I hear get overused A LOT!!!!

Why should “amazing” be banned? Cool is an overused word.

“Banish” is the wrong term. “Reduced use” would be better, I think. In other words, don’t use a word repetitively just because it sounds nice or “cool.” The original meanings of the words still have value.

Key
In terms of
Moving forward
Committed
Ultimately

The words “Oh My God” should be banished it is overused

Here’s one, SURREAL!

FAIR – Invoked almost non-stop by Obama. FAIR is in the eyes of the beholder; i.e., it depends on where you stand. I always took it to mean that all parties would be treated equally, but now it seems, in politics, to mean taking from some to give to others. Careful – what favors one today may favor another tomorrow.

I agree with DarkCaller. I think no words should be banished, only that people should aspire to expand their vocabularies. The fact that all those words and phrases were overused is proof to me that we are a culture of sheep that like to follow the herd. This is not necessarily a bad thing unless taken to extremes – and I think we can agree that sometimes people just can’t stop saying those silly catchphrases. Still, sign of the times, eh?

I laugh when I read how offended people get. Two words: CHILL OUT

Whatever floats peoples boats..

And yeah, what the hell IS with the dog in the raincoat?

Overused? This is simply a reflection of a small vocabulary which ~can~ complete the most important part of communication – conveying a thought. Another part of communication, a smaller part, is the image the hearer of your words walks away with.

Misused? This is another issue. People, PLEASE. If you’re going to use words, use the right ones. Otherwise, that “most important part of communication” I mentioned above is confused at best.

This list is useless, why ban words?
I thought America was the land of freedom of speech? This isn’t China.

i havnt even heard many of these

I refuse to read anything, and stop reading as soon as I encounter
an LOL. Constant use indicates the brain stopped, and cannot
think of anything else.

The word “banned” should not be used. It’s a free country and nothing should be banned, nothing. The right to choose and apply free speech is a right not to be taken lightly … This is not Red China!

haha this made me laugh! And guys, these words arn’t actually getting banned. So don’t go “first amendment” on something not serous ok! ;P

well, i think bad words and cuss words should be banned!

[...] ‘Banished’ by an Epic list, ‘Amazing’! — A ‘Baby Bump’ or some ‘Shared Sacrifice’? — ‘Occupy’ This without ‘Blowback’ — Get chore own ‘Man Cave’ and Add Spice. — ‘The New Normal’ ‘Pet Parent’ will ‘Win the Future’ — Without ‘Trickeration’ or dance — Be it Cat, Dog, Toy, Standard or ‘Ginormous’, — Rousseau says, “Thank You in Advance.” –>>L.T.Rhyme [...]

I find the word EXCELLENT is abused. Something good or very good is not excellent.

I agree with Baby Bump and Amazing. With amazing, it gets the workout in enterainment, especially for fashion and awards shows. “She looked amazing!” “That dress is amazing!” “Working with X was amazing.” Joan Rivers kept using it for one pre-awards show that I ended up counting. She managed to use “amazing” once every 6 minutes…and that’s counting commercial time!

…wait for it…

Doesn’t it all depend on what we read, though? Or who we listen to?
Some words are overused on certain contexts only and hardly ever on others, surely. Or listen to a Brit or an American, listened to by a Brit or an American?
This can never be a universal list, for the very reasons above. We are not all journalists who are in the middle of things. If you are talkin about weasel words, that is another thing altogether, but weasel words most certainly depent on context.

I don’t know what is more interesting the article or the comments that follow!! Wow this makes me day!! Pretty sad huh??

EPIC IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT BAN EPIC!!!!!!!! PLEASE! MINECRAFT DEPENDS ON EPIC!!!!

Sorry, correction: “in certain contexts” and “depend”. Got carried away! Don’t ban them though.

“Going forward” should be banned! Also “clearly”.

Epic has been overused to the point where it seems as if it is little more than a filler word. It is now little more than something we say due to our lack of vocabulary. To me it is now in the same category of ignorance as: like, lol, awesome, um, and trifling.
Due to the overuse of epic I can now no longer use the term epic poem without ridicule from bystanders. Thank you in advance you unintelligent teenagers with your premature carpal tunnel syndrome and your LED burned retinas. Your lack of variety in language use is amazingly epic brohan.

Ah yes one more annoying word has popped into my memory, it is the infamous “legit”.

i personally do not recall being annoyed of these words last year. However, “epic” must be added to this list!
Ahhh! It is so annoying to hear that word being overly (and improperly) used!

Please add, “at the end of the day” to grossly overused words, and “it is, what it is”, of course it is, what else could it be but what it is. . . .

“Epic”. I’m behind that one, one hundred percent. I was recently in a job training where our trainer called us (all over the age of 30), “The most EPIC people” she’d ever trained. This was multiple times a day. For crying out loud, just train us and pay us! We’re not 15!

“Aight” is just wrong. The rest that I have issue with are words that are used inappropriately like: “wicked” describing something good, and “cool” used for _everything_.

And don’t get me started on “Chat Speak”. It’s bad enough trying to read an email full of “ikr”, “bff”, and “l8r”, but if my 16 year old actually utters the “word” “”lolz”" verbally one more time I’m going to smack him in the back of the head. At least my 20 year old caught the clue and texts in complete words and sentences. He can’t stand chat speak either and that makes me a proud mom.

Vendors need to STOP “reaching out to me”

If you watch sports, you’ll hear “obviously”, “definitely” or “surreal” in every interview with an athlete.

“Awesome” used to drive me nuts, but my sisters-in-law use it all the time. They’re so adorable that I now find the word endearing. How the heck did that happen?

Epic (lots of votes for this one)
Swag
Fierce
Branding/Brand/Brand yourself (but NOT Russell Brand)

That “chhh chhh chhh” whisper noise (but not quiet enough) people make when trying to fill audible air space when they’re looking for something, usually on their computer

Teetering on the edge of being banned (although these are phrases):
That’s what she said
Little bit
Ya think?
Holy crap

And “Arrow” & “Knee”

Definitely epic. I am so tired of hearing that word lol

It is obvious that those writing the comments should pay more attention to their own vocabularies and usage of the English language, than offended by mundane, obsequious and maudlin teen banter.
Like, what are they saying?

“Literally,” because no one is using it correctly anymore. It’s just become another way to denote exaggeration.

“Im just saying” should be banned !! i hate it !!

My best friend and I use the word “epic” all the time, and if it weren’t such a fun word, then, yes, I would say that it is overused and should be banned. But it is a fun word.

Does anyone else think that ‘de-plane’ should be outlawed? What a ludicrous, necessary verb.

If any word should be banned, it’s “intolerant.” Firstly, I think people should be able to tolerate the fact that EVERYONE IS UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT, and by not tolerating people different than you, you are being intolerant of the entire human race. Also, people should stop being intolerant to those whose views on religion, politics, or other controversial issues differ, especially when these people try to share those views. If you disagree, then disagree. If they think their view is correct, and the only correct view (like Christianity, for example; the only way to get to heaven is through Jesus), then let them say what they say, and don’t call them intolerant. It may seem as though they are, saying their way is the only way, but as far as they know, it may be. The third reason I believe intolerant should be banned is just that- banishing something or someone is intolerant!

and also “.com” -_____-

I had the same thought, Angeline. I’m afraid that ‘wonderful grace’ or ’stupendous grace’ just wouldn’t do – but then again we’re not actually banning words here, just reminding people that short-circuiting your brainpower by repeating overused buzz words weakens your meaning and just irritates your listeners. It seems that, like our brains, we use a very small fraction of what’s available. Maybe it’s time we started using some of the words that dictionary.com sends us each day…

Man, like it ain’t cool not to like, like ain’t and cool dude! You know? Like, can you dig it? What an amazingly epic entry man, you know? I mean, totally! 23 Skidoo!

I agree with “epic”.

W O W. I cannot belive they put amazing. I mean it really isn’t offending. It just sounds kinda dumb if someone says “You are really an amazing singer” and someone gets offended. And I agree with Angeline about loosing the song “Amazing Grace.”

These words offen people?!?! I understand “Occupy” being a word that offense people, but the rest of the words………

Winning
Baby Bump
Man Cave
Epic–(on the bubble for this list)
lol

Side note: “Pet Parent”? I never heard of this, I prefer to use a word I heard before “Petophile”. Much funnier, and much more degrading, as the term is meant to sound.

“Baby bump too has a clear definition, but only came into common usage this year.” Wait, what? I’ve heard it at least a few times every year since I was a kid!

I agree with occupy though and also think winning should be on the list. I’ve never heard the term Win the Future– interesting.

I think that next yoear olympics will be on the list of 2012s banned words!

How about banishing the word “logophile?”

Not a word…but a phrase. “It is what it is” should be banned. It’s essentially saying “whatever” and trying to sound intelligent.

Legit.

Epic.

Random.

Any curse word.

um ginormous has been around for decades

Please, if we are going to get riled up by misused word, let us add “epic”. Every time I hear someone use it incorrectly I want to slap them with a dictionary(.com). This site should have a page of stupid celebrity trend-lemmings that perpetuate ignorant expressionism.

Even if dictionary.com was attempting to literally ban these words, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution (like all the other rights in the Bill of Rights) only applies to restrictions imposed by the federal government and is extended, via the Fourteenth Amendment, to State and local government entities.

Nobody can stop a website from banning whatever it wants.

+1 for mandatory legal education for the ignorant masses.

uh, the words are not actually “banned” people. But I think that definitely, epic, fail, and epic fail should be on the list

“hella”… yeah, well shut the hella up.

How about the word ‘Fail’? It seems to be the latest and non-greatest word kids use to describe a mistake. It’s horrendously overused.

Parents! Please teach your children substitutes for words such as “like”, “cool”, “whatever”, “LOL”, and any other words in the English language that label the speakers as lazy and ignorant. Make it a game: you will be surprised how many words they know that they just do not bother to use–because they want to sound like all their friends. And, by all means, set a good example for them by also expressing yourselves with appropriate, precise and understandable English words and phrases. NEVER use curse words; that is the laziest form of communication of all.

No one is banning words. For crying out loud, try reading the article before going all Constitution-thumping reactionary on us. They aren’t being literal about the banning. Sheesh.

Not to nitpick, but shouldn’t it be “banished phrases” rather than “banished words?” Over half of the list are phrases. And what DOES it have to do with dogs in raincoats?

“Baby bump” has been around for years. It’s not nearly as over-used as “muffin top” was a couple of years ago. I’ve never heard “trickeration.” As for additions to the list, I’d nominate the following: epic, actually, like (in the social media context), sick.

What does a chihuahua in a yellow coat have to do with this article?

peace to earthlings you dunderheads no words should ever and i mean ever!!! (not including curse words they should be BANNED)!

“Freedom of Speech” is in the Bill of Rights, not the Constitution. Know your history before you try and wrap yourself with a document in a tantrum against an article that is intended as humor, not as law. Too bad there isn’t as much uproar about our president wiping himself with the Constitution as he ignores our system of checks and balances and appoints his minions and policies against the will of the People and review of the Senate.

Words such as “very”, “epic,” “beast/beast mode,”legit,” and “twenty bajillion” are way overused. I should know cuz i USE them! And I “totally” agree with angeline. I love Amazing Grace. PRAISE THE LORD AND YALL MORMONS NEED SOME JESUS!

If I’m not wrong, didn’t “awesome” originally mean “full of awe” and not “full of greatness?”

Also, if this list were to extend to words from other countries, “bunga-bunga” would probably make that list because of that whole ordeal in Italy.

“Defence Industry” is a misused term. It should be called, “The war Industry”

Dude. it’s just so….tiresome & dated.

boo lame idea

Ah, there’s TONS of words you could ban! Why just those?

Random, epic and legit are all common victims of incorrect use. Random does not mean strange, an epic is a long poem or ballad, and people need to learn the actual meaning of the word legitimate before throwing it around. I’m shocked none of these made the list.

thats crazy. none of those words are offending to me.

hmmmmmmm i don’t understand how any of those words are bad for instance “amazing” that makes no sense only a person that thinks the complete opposite well more then the opposite is really really just annoying awesome just means like that’s cool/awesome/epic! not anything bad because people that take it to seriously are just being complete morons. no offence to those people im just stating the truth because it makes absolutely no sense at all!

Don’t ban any words. Just encourage and teach proper English so people won’t be encouraged to use annoying and obnoxious words, terms and phrases

WHY IS HIPSTER NOT ON THIS LIST?

ultimate bristles.

Banning words? Words merely indicate meaning; meaning simply represents thought; thoughts are just opinions. Are we saying opinions should be censored? If I want to use the word “poophead” to describe my wife, over and over until it become synonymous with her in my opinion or in other’s opinion, it doesn’t make her a real poophead. She doesn’t have real poop on her real head. Words only mean what you use them for, and that changes over time. I thought that;s how language developed in the first place…without a “state dictionary” declaring how they must be used.

OMG, ya think? Been there, done that. That’s so random. Get over it. You go girl. That’s so gay. Epic. Epic fail. LOL. Whatup? Are you for real?

“I saw it with my own eyes!” No….you saw it with someone elses.
“Broski” No you ski.
“You mad bro?” No.
“I agree to these Terms and Services” Come on…no one reads them.
“Uh-huh” What?
“Trolling” So you live under a bridge?

If I hear “awesome” one more time, when people just mean good, I’m going to puke.

Iconic should be on the list.
octogenarian and every other xxxx-genarian.

They should ban “Fail” “Epic” and “Epic fail”

I don’t believe I’ve ever heard ‘Baby Bump’, ‘Shared Sacrifice’, ‘Man Cave’, ‘The New Normal’, ‘Pet Parent’, or ‘Trickeration’. I’ve heard ‘Blowback’ used, but not very often. As for ‘Occupy’, it only gets used a lot because of the movement, so it seems to me to be out of place on this list. I’ve heard President Obama use ‘Win The Future’ a couple of times, and I don’t like it, but I don’t think it is overused. I also don’t know why ‘Amazing’ is on the list. I always assumed that it was simply good manners to use ‘Thank You In Advance’ when requesting a favor in a letter or e-mail, such as using ‘Please’ when you ask for a favor in person.

The only word on this list which I feel belongs is ‘Ginormous’. It irks me whenever people use that word. I don’t watch television frequently, so that may be why I don’t have the same qualms about the other words. I think ‘Classic’ should have made the list, because I hear that word used often and incorrectly. ‘Hysterical’ is also a word that is used frequently and incorrectly as a synonym for ‘Hilarious’. ‘Decimated’ is another word that is used frequently and incorrectly following a natural disaster, even if allowances are made for the figurative use.

I agree with Kathleen! Occupy has a NASTY meaning!

How about ‘journey’? Eg. A TV contestant talks about their ‘journey’, despite only singing a few songs or being on TV for a couple of weeks? This word drives me nuts.

And… when asked about their journey? “It was AMAZING”

LOL

those are used way to much this year and last year

Personally, the word I am a bit nauseous in hearing reduntantly is “awesome”.

Real. No word is more overused than “real.”

Why would anyone want to ban words? Its just a natural thing that we say everyday. We can’t be offended by any of those, unless you’re over sensitive.

People who use “your” for “you’re” should be deported or imprisoned

Why ban words that aren’t swears? It’s called freedom of speach.

Just sayin’!

they need thicker skin……im amazing..banned

The word beast is overused.

Jk-I know its not a real word but it annoys me and everyone uses it like thirty times a day

Beiber-self explanatory

legit-there is this guy who says this everyday and it makes me go crazy

and what on earth is trickeration i have never heard it in my life

The word that I would like to see banned is “kawaii.” I hear that it was considered to be a true word in a dictionary, which I find to be the most stupidest thing in the history of the world. Kawaii isn’t even an English word; it’s Japanese romaji! Not to mention how overused it is online…

Yale is right they should bann epic,fail, and epic fail

“Epic fail” as a word or both individually should be banned, its so stupid, i always hear my co workers say “what a fail” or ” this or that is so epic” NOT everything is epic or fail, it pisses me off so much. next thing you know them idiots are gonna start using something stupid like Epic Win! which dont even make sense…. idiots!!!!

one word: dude

they aren’t offensive but they are overused

Bad words should be banned!!!!!!!For good!!!!!!!! iHate them:(!!!!!!

where’s “swag”

the word “shabby”

Wait, only one person sort of wants to ban “bro.” It’s so disrespectful. Just take an extra millisecond to call me by my name.

i think amazing should not be band and no offence should be band iits so overused

epic
legit
lol

reading all the words that should be banned are just making me frustrated because my mind keeps on going through 2011 thinking of all the times my friends have said those words over and over and over and over again. especially ‘legit’. i’m sick of hearing that word (lol). Is anyone else getting frustrated at reading these ’should-be-banned’ words? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that you shouldnt post them.it’s good if you do. its just annoying to read the words on the article (words that i havent heard that often apart from amazing {darn it, just had another flashback} and baby bump) and then seeing the words mentioned in the comments that have acutally been overused.

AMAZING is banned????? HOW IS THAT EVEN OFFENSIVE…. i dont get it…

AAHHHH!!! I hate ‘lol’!!! that ‘word’ (it isnt even a word) is taking over the world!! even though i hate it so much I find myself using it!!. and everyone says the actual word now in real life!! because ‘lol’ has been used soo many times, it’s been drilled in our brains and we cant help but use it especially when there is nothing else left to say!!

I agree with some of the others on here. Although I’m guilty myself of using these words, “epic”, “legit”, and “whatever” should go. They’re just so annoying. (And the word “moist”, because it just sounds gross.)

No words should be banned at all!

they should band the word “band” it has been used meany times. even now!
IP

You know what’s ridiculous? Fail. It’s being used so much my Spanish teacher actually taught us the Spanish word for it.

It’s fracaso, if anyone would like to know.

i think banished should be banished

Funny! If you follow the link to banished words from past years and click on 2011, the list is different than the one in the article — and it does include “Epic”!

“Wavie” that word makes me cringe, but I’m fine with ‘awesome’

the word SWAG should be banned !

BIGOT

The word Bigot is thrown around in political circles way too easy these days, simply because you disagree with someone of a nother political persuasion….and in that conctext it seldom is used correctly according to the definition of the word. Current culture has made the word far too encompassing.

I think the word “offended” was used too much

I think the most overused word this year (especially by the media) was Kardashian (noun: something that is pointless, vacuous). Let’s hope we don’t hear it so much in 2012.

Definitely “real” but with the caveat that it is nearly always used incorrectly. People generally say “real” when they mean “really”. Correct usage would really make “real” less annoying.

In the lost words category, I put the sad demise of adverbs in general, as in the above example.

By the way, “nauseous” means you CAUSE nausea. Unfortunately, common incorrect usage is the norm and dictionaries recently added “affected with nausea” to the list of definitions for nauseous.

Please include ‘fail.’ Its time has come.

I agree that epic should be on this list. Also literally, ironic, totally, dude, it is what it is, just sayin’, OMG, and legit. These are all WAY overused in my humble opinion, and most people don’t know what many of them truly mean. I once heard someone say they were literally on fire. I was concerned. When people say something like, “Dude, that’s legit!” I ask them what they are referring to that is legitimate. I’ve gotten some strange looks from my fellow high-schoolers.

Epic should be banned for sure. Also iconic, dropped in every article in Nylon Magazine.

A guy I used to work with used to annoy me by dismissing irrelevant arguments and conversations off subject by saying ‘well that’s just semantics’ to try and bring focus back to the matter at hand. I don’t know if many others have come across this, I would suggest using ’small beer’ instead.

But you can’t ban the word semantic or else this website would have no purpose.

The chap in question, to redeem himself, did use the word, twee, a lot though which I think is a good one.

Can’t believe people are offended by the word amazing.

People shouldn’t be that sensitive about those words. No words should be banned, but I could possibly agree on curse words. But this is interferring with freedom of speech.

EPIC must definately be added…

The phrase that annoyed me most in 2011 was the IMPROPER use of:

“The awkward moment when”

EVERYONE used this one, and it was very rare to see it actually used correctly…

Can we add “Really?” to the list? Not the word “really.” Just that use of it which makes me backpuke. (I think “backpuke” isn’t used enough. “Acid reflux” just doesn’t do the occurrence any justice.)

I think ‘the’ is overused beyond belief.

Words that should be banned: “Hella” “Hecka” “Shawty” “Chillax” “Swag” “Like” “Fail” “Epic” “Bro” “Trollin and Troll”

Phrases that should be banned: “Cool story bro” “You mad bro” (and anything else involving that uncultured, infuriating, annoying, distasteful, pathetic, and juvenile ‘troll face’)

wow i use some of those words a lot and i mean alot
sad to see words being banished

and some of them i want to be banishded

This is stupid. There’s no reason to ban those words. It doesn’t matter if their overused.

In my opinion, swag should be banned because it’s stupid and annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

or offending

what the heck is wrong with people who are offended by that?

Diane, “legit” is somewhat annoying, but I’m more frustrated by people who use the word “legitly,” especially when the definition of the actual word “legitimately” doesn’t fit in the sentence. Not only does the speaker sound unintelligent because they used a word wrong, they also tore out two syllables of the word for no apparent reason.

“boss”pisses me off why did you not bann that

How about FAIL? That word is used way too much…

winning should be bann your never gonna here it again

“Racist” should be on the list. It is WAY overused.
Person 1: “Are you going to vote for Obama?” Person 2: “No, I was thinking -” Person 1: “RACIST!!!”

Why is there a picture of dog in jacket for an article about banned words?

EPIC IS STINKIN’ ANNOYING!! ON FREE REALMS, EVERYONE HAS EPIC IN THEIR NAME! Ugh. I think that it shouldn’t be used anymore because epic is not used well…

It SHOULD list “legit” and number one, above all, in HIGHEST regards of banishment, “ignorant”. OH.MY.GOSH…people just do NOT know how to use ignorant right. It makes me want to shoot myself! lol It’s absolutely ridiculous how people use ignorant. That seriously should be number one.

swag. thats used even more

I totally agree. Epic is pretty cool, and it’s alright to use it once in a while, but to use it as much as we did in 2011 is pretty lame.

I think “retarded” and “LOL” should be banned. A retarded person is someone with brain damage, and the word has NOT been used that way. And LOL,you probally know.

Where’s ‘Swag’ and ‘Ratchet’?

“literally” is way over used and ever since they brought it up in an episode of How I met Your Mother I notice it all..the …time! hehe and usually it is not used correctly. ie I literally had a heart attack..really..you really did..no you didn’t hehe..grrrr

How about ‘ACTUALLY’~!!?? That has gotten to be as bad as ‘duh’ for overuse.

I definitely agree with banning ‘baby bump’ and ‘man cave’….but do add ‘pop’ to that.

i think the real list (popular culture wise) goes as follows:
-WINNING/ BI-WINNING!!
-Swag
-Real
-Legit
-”Like you don’t understand”
-Epic/ Epic fail/ Fail
-Awkward
-Like
-Troll
- Leggo
- Totally
- Really
- Definitely (especially since people don’t know how to spell it correctly)

I think that the word “like” should be on the list for some of the banished words, the word is way overused, especially in California. and at times, it’s not even used correctly.

I agree with “awesome” and “ironic” though.

To the people that are talking about the first amendment stuff and whatnot… I think it is safe to say that this is SATIRE. If not, then look at it that way. I don’t see how it is even feasible to make it illegal to say a word or phrase.

To reiterate what someone else here already astutely pointed out — is this not a list of words and PHRASES, not just words? I mean, is “The New Normal” a word? Or is it a phrase? (Obviously, it is the latter.) Shouldn’t anyone claiming the right to improve the language by “banning” certain parts of it begin with correctly identifying what they are trying to “ban”?

[...] about the words that should be banished because of their being overused or misused by the people (http://hotword.dictionary.com/banished/). This really rings an alarming bell. I’ve been ignoring about the meaning of the word and used [...]

I agree that “amazing” is over used. It shouldn’t be banned; people should be taught how to use it correctly. I agree with MJ Brewer about “awesome”. That is another word that needs to used properly. They are perfect choices of words for things that are truly amazing and awesome, but there are not too many things that fit those words.

I’m surprised the word RAW isn’t on this list. Everyone used this word last year. Young and old people.

‘guys’

‘gotten’

‘like’

‘awesome’

These words reflect a lack of imagination and individual thought. They are generic, ineffective, grossly overused and prevent true expression of thought. They are laziness exemplified.

Thank you in advance for reading. I think the people that are getting their knickers in a bunch over the “banning” of words is funny, but I hope their comments don’t occupy too much space. They aren’t actually banning them. I’m quite certain that no one is going to keep watch over you and make sure you never ever say these words ever again. Amazing, isn’t it? But I suppose most of this is just over-zealous liberal blowback and a shared sacrifice that we must all carry for we are given rights and will always have to deal with those that flaunt their knowledge at the any small hint at someone imposing upon them in the new normal. Our nation, still young but showing the beginnings of a freedom induced baby bump, will in no way allow people to ban words merely because it made a list published in the ginormous plain of the Internet. Perhaps in time that will win the future, but for now it remains in defeat in its man cave.

Side note: What in the world is “Trickeration” and a “pet parent?”

The use of a plural verb with a singular subject, e.g., “the couple are staying at…”, or, “police are investigating…”

How about unnecesary

“Banished” should be banished. That would be hilarious!!!

and no stop saying no and start saying yes

The phrase I loathe is, “You know what I mean” because it’s often used by people with such poor vocabulary that they can’t actually tell you what they mean.

I’m surprised that “literally” hasn’t been banned since it has now come to mean “figuratively”.

“It’s been so hectic, I am literally running around with my head cut off”

It’s pretty easy to tell when it’s being mis-used as it is pronounced “LIT-ra-ly”…

Totally in agreement with ‘ginormous’! I can’t stand that “word”.

Even though these words aren’t actually being banned, I think even joking that they should be isn’t helpful with regard to free speech. Often things like this turn into yet another tool for trolls who lack the intelligence to rebut another person’s opinion in a civilized, adult manner so they engage in tired old sarcasm, mockery, logical fallacies, and insults instead. Instead of responding to the merits of someone’s opinion with an intelligent response they can belittle someone for their choice of words. I think the original intention of “free speech” means the resolution of important issues through the constructive exchanging of ideas and honest, mature debate; not by childish name-calling and by cowardly evading the issue being discussed by changing the subject and criticizing one’s use of words like “amazing” and “ironic”. I probably sound like I’m making a big deal out of this but on a lot of blog sites, (a lot more so than on this one), this is what happens. I agree a lot of the words mentioned are kind of overused but the kind of words that I think are far worse, and a lot more tired and old, are words that, some of which can sometimes be used in a constructive manner in some contexts, are nevertheless often used to either insult someone, denigrate them for an opposing opinion, or to manipulate people to embrace a narrow mindset or culture. Words like “entitled,” “team,” “whiner” and “waa waa” come to mind.

The response that irks me is, “No problem.” I don’t care if my request created a problem or not. When I say, “Thank you”, the correct respose is, “You’re welcome”!

The picture of the dog in a raincoat is tied to the phrase Pet Parent. Also see Paris Hilton et al. Re: chat speak, if BFF means best friend FOREVER, how can you get a NEW BFF?

It is what it is, not what you think it is, or would like it to be.

Aweful actually means full of awe. Awesome means capable of invoking or producing awe.

It is imperative that we join together and ban:

“veggie” and “utilize”

please, just stop.

It’s hilarious (another overused word) to me that folks who read this think that these words are being symbolically banned because they are “offensive.” NONE of the words are offensive. They’re just annoying, and most of them have lost their meaning completely.

Also hilarious is that others think that the suggested “ban” is literal, rather than symbolic.

Wait. One more word. “Literal.” As in, “I literally had a heart attack when I saw what she was wearing.” No, you didn’t. Idiot.

“At the end of the day”, though not a word, is a phrase I hear all too often as a sports fan. One of the many stock sports sayings. Nearly every NFL coach and player will say “at the end of the day” at least once while on the podium.

At the end of the day, you just want to have a more creative vocabulary than the other team.

I also think “legit” might have made a nice addition to the list alongside “epic” and perhaps even “bizarre”. Ever read the Yahoo! News articles? On some days it seems like half the things on there are portrayed as bizarre, even though most of them aren’t even remotely strange.

hella
legit
baller
fail
beast
trippin’

You’d be surprised how many dorky white kids with their pants sagging use these at my school in filthy-rich suburbia. It’s pretty amusing sometimes.

Ok people….some of you are way too serious about this. Who doesn’t have a word or phrase that bristles them even slightly because of how much it was used, who used it, or the way it was used? I don’t think the author is going to literally have that list of words banned from dictionaries or from the English language at large, although I personally wouldn’t mind not hearing a couple of those words again for a long time. They absolutely irritate.

the word ‘epic’ needs to be banned. it is overused, overrated and most anyone who uses this word in a sentence to describe any said thing is over-exaggerated.

Might I just say that I,too, was misled by the little dog in the raincoat… but for the record, I think that amazing should be replaced with “fierce”. Amazing is kind of *shrug* whatever.. but if one more person says that something is fierce I might just learn mandarin and move away.

“Unique” made the 1978 list but memories are short. This is perhaps one of the most misused words today where the word “distinctive” would better serve.

For example: “… most unique…” or “… very unique…”

Well… Totally “Amazing” Shouldn’t be banned. And if your thinking to banned it quickly, well you can’t because of billion peoples are using it. “Kinda” Well it looks so annoying but not at all. Perhaps there could be a better permanent word. “Thank you in advance” Hmm… Basically that phrase shouldn’t be ban.

Why should “amazing” be banned?

“Reinvent.” When some operation decides to “reinvent” its product or “reinvent” itself, either or both are going to get worse.

Ban ‘OBVIOUSLY’ for obvious reason: Too obviously obvious. Use ‘OSTENSIBLY’ or ‘EVIDENTLY’ instead.

‘I’m loving it’…. Ok, it’s not a word per se but it’s awful grammar that has become very widespread and this set phrase has been absorbed into daily lingo…

Ultimate – So many things, from motor vehicles to household cleaning products and cosmetics, are described as “ultimate”. Oh, so Nissan isn’t going to produce another off-road truck again after this one? Garnier won’t re-brand their current line of mascara (“New! Improved!”) in a different box? Oh they will? So how is *this* one then “ultimate”? The word means last, final.

Extreme – If it ain’t Ultimate, it’s Extreme. Yah right. Whatever. Also means nothing can go beyond this one, but oddly the same manufacturers, adventure companies, and skydiving centres are still offering “extreme” products and experiences. Only more so, I guess.

Love- I love it when people use this word like it is loving going out of loving style.

Warning- my good Lord, mom says “this is your only warning!” and the kid might as well say “okay, it will happen again tomorrow.” Warning: contents hot, no shet that would be why the steam is rising.

LOL- what the hell does that spell. it could be laugh out loud or lockdown on life, which it what it is. Why not laugh, and why must you tell someone your laughing?

ttyl- try telling your lover that you will ttyl and they are likely to look at you weird. Would you put ttyl on your employees note when you need to talk to them, so what the people in your home life do not mean as much to you?

Ya know- NO I DON’T or you wouldn’t be saying it!

Ya feel me?- No I would rather not get all touchy with you.

AND MANY MORE!!!!

Baby Bump and Blowback are not even Noughties words, they’re Nineties words.

Ginormous and Occupy have no special relevance to 2011. The word Occupy is not even used any more, LBERATE is usually used in its place nowadays.

If I could ban a word it would be “basically” (which is most frequently used to mean, “er…”).

Maybe I would ban “anyway” too (modern usage has turned this word into a synonym for “I wish to stop speaking with you now.”).

My ultimate hated word for 2011 is “Über” a desperately pretentious attempt to come up with a new, cool word for “Super” or “Ultimate” that is not really understood by anyone who ever utters it.

Yeah I nearly forgot, does it annoy anyone else when they hear people actually saying geek-speak acronyms out loud?

It annoys me because surely these abbreviations are to spare people from typing the phrase out in full, and when uttered barely save anyone any breath at all, they just make the speaker sound like they’ve got scurvey, e.g:

LMAO
LOL
“Roffle” (Roll Around On The Floor Laughing)

Get a life, and some teeth!

Don’t ban ACAB though: it’s completely true and it’s OK to abbreviate in speech to hide offensive meanings!

Epic Fail, Epic Win, and Baby Bump

To be fair…
To be honest…
To be brutally honest…
In all fairness…
In any case…
It’s by the by…

Mundane, brainless and insipid. What the Friar Tuck does “by the by” mean anyway, what a cart of horse apples…

the word SWAG!

If you can’t tell the difference between a word, a phrase, or a cliché, I’m not convinced of your abilities to ‘banish’ anything.

Whatever.

He goes “da di da di da”

and I’m like “whatever”

The entire construction is being used in almost every exchange now.

If I hear one more person refer to something that they like as “sick” I won’t be responsible for my actions!

I’m not sure if I laughed harder when I read the list of words or the overly serious responses. Both were entertaining!

Ginormous isn’t a neologism; it has been annoying me for years.
I’d like to ban the use of the words “nightmare” and “crisis” in the media.

Wow; this blog really brought out the fruitcakes.

“Baby bump,” should be banished from the media’s vocabulary, as they’re deliberately crude & vulgar when they say it.
“Awesome,” is my all time most hated word. Everything is so ‘awesome’. No it’s not.

Does overused here mean that it is used over and over again that they should be banished? If then, what should be used?

i agree with joseph, bad words should be banned but i don’t think any other words should be banned, we’ll be sad if they did ban epic D:

Do look up “Americanisms that irritate us Brits” and have a good chuckle. We don’t like butt for buttocks and bum, we cringe at “different than” and “gotten” takes the cake. As for “he spit it out” instead of “he spat it out”…..the rest is silence! It takes all sorts to make a world, dunnit, eh?

I guess both words ‘ guess ‘ and banish’ should also.

“…it’s not even funny.” – (Was it ever?!)
“You don’t wanna know!” – (If I didn’t I wouldn’t have asked. Why tell me there after?!)
“Lets see if we ‘can’t’ ” – (Why would you ever want to see if you couldn’t get or do anything? why not try and see if you can?)

I wish “you think” should be banished. Daaaaaaa.

Just say “yes” to banning “absolutely”. I am very happy that “steamy” has left the building.

It is true then, we are creatures of habit; including the words we use.

We ban words now? Wow. That’s actually really hilarious. Apparently it’s offensive to be called amazing… Okay. Sure, let’s go with that. My opinion is, if people find it necessary to write a list calling out overused words, they honestly have no live and are just looking for random things to rant about.

“Legit “isn’t even an actual word, so it can’t be banned. Although I agree, it is the most annoying utterance I’ve had to come across as an adolescent. If you read the 2011 banned words, “epic” and “fail” both make it. You don’t need to nominate it anymore.

Here’s my list:
“Literally” should be banned; people tend to use it as a its antonym “figuratively.”
“Like” is one that is used in nearly every sentence a teenager emits.
“You know/y’know” is on the same page as “like.”
“Ironic” is misused more than any other word I’ve come across. I adore irony, and I abhor the fact that people always use it to describe something that is “coincidental”. If it hasn’t already been banned, it should be.

Remember, banning words doesn’t mean you can’t use them or they are going to be removed from dictionaries! It just indicates that these words are overused and misused far too often.

should be banned dgs

Oh please. “Ginormous” has been around since I was in High School in the ’70s.

The word swag needs to be banned hands down. It’s extremely overused and irritating >__>

Why oh why do kids have to prefix nearly every word with “well” such well tired, well cold etc. Can they not use “very or really”?

Also why do they (teens) have to punctuate all their sentences with “like”.

An ageing Jungalist that speaks the Queens English.

“Just sayin,” should definitely be banned! As in, “Some people are taking this way to seriously, just sayin’.” Or if you actually pronounce your g’s, “just saying.”

UGH!

I can’t stand that phrase. Just sayin’.

Funny how we take the time in our busy lives to read this article! Guess we all need a break now and then.
How about “off the chain”? Sounds so forced to use it and just what does it REALLY mean??? I guess it means we need to feel up-to-date and “with it”. Interesting.
“LOL” I way over use this and would like a new expression! Any ideas?
Be blessed reader!:)

The overuse will pass. Leave them alone because eventually the time will come when the use of the words is again desirable and they are no longer overused…, well except for the two neologisms that grate on everyone’s nerves – trickeration and ginormous. They should go the way of copacetic to the trash heap of language history beneath the egg shells, coffee grounds and empty tuna cans. Overused words draw attention to the user’s lack of imagination and there will be pushback (talk about overused) that will retard future use. The language is beautifully fluid and will adapt itself in ways we can’t foresee. As much as we might like to do so, we really can’t successfully apply conscious pressures from the outside to change it.

“Basically” and “absolutely” have come to engender the same “essential” non-meaning. “Amazing” isn’t it? A “unique” comparison of words approaching the same void.

Overuse leads to misuse leads to slow death. But don’t blame the words. People who have nothing to say fill their words with emptiness.

Um,no thats just plain dunb. Some of those i understand but the others are just plain dunb for you to even consider that. like
Amazing
Occupy
Man Cave
Ginormous
Thank You In Advance

Another phrase that drives me crazy is “You know”…No, I don’t know or why would I be listening….

Organic should be banned from foods….ALL food is ORGANIC!

you guys need to calm down

The story was kinda interesting, but the comments are amazing! Keep up the good work, folks!

Due to me reading all of these comments i think that the word “Overuse” went incognito on to that list because of all the times it has been written over and over all the way down to his comment and know let the bitching begin….

legit is a gay word twoo

I’m sick of hearing “absolutely” … “sucks” … “dude” … “so” and “I’m all set” among others.

Preggo and preggers for pregnant is incredibly immature.

The word “eclectic” has been overused and misused until I’m just tired of it.

To the commenter who listed “Pet parents”: the flip side of that one, “Fur babies”, is every bit as annoying.

I would like to see “I know, right?” banished. Irritating. I would also like to see “irregardless” banished, I can’t believe how many people actually say that!!!!

Words that are wayyy over-used:
Fail
Epic
Winning
Retard
Hella

These words are annoying, some are offensive.

Also, “Helllllooooo?” and “my bad”. Are people too cool or too proud to just apologize and say “I’m sorry” ???

And no, words should not be banned. The misuse and relentless repetitiveness by those guilty of such is irritating.

If I never hear “Wall Street” and “Main Street” in the same sentence again, it will be too soon.

AT THE END OF THE DAY—where did it come from? A planet without a moon? My skin prickles anews each time I hear this uttered.

If people bothered to read the linked NPR article, they would know that ‘epic’ was banned last year. No need to be redundant!

For those of you who don’t want to actually BAN these words and phrases, why don’t we just “kick that can down the road”?(uggggghhh) =)

“At the end of the day”; and definately the improper use of “like”.

definitely !

DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER DAPPER

please stop using this word. it doesn’t make you sound cool. especially you, US Magazine and the girl on the season premiere of the bachelor. it doesnt make me cool that i just admited to my two guiltiest pleasures, but that’s how much i hate that word.

this list is so amazing.

“mad”

This list is amazing! I mean if I wasn’t a pet parent I would invite you to my man cave so we could win the future.

What drives me crazy is the response of “No problem” to someone saying “Thank you”. The last I heard, the proper (and polite) response was, You’re welcome”.

Don’t ban the words. Ban the idiots using them. Problem solved.

Out of sight … Out of mind …
(i.e. We learn the meaning of language that is used by those we are surrounded by) … It’s a big world, and some of us never get more than a few miles from home … Communicate with the accuracy that is understood by those at hand, or face the fault of being misunderstood.

“amazeballs” and “totes” (short for totally)

How about “that being said. . .” or “having said that. . .” I’m hearing those EVERYWHERE. They may be phrases and not words, but they’re used so often they might as well be condensed into single words. And as far as 1st Amendment blather, please, let’s not get too serious. Nobody’s actually passing a law, for crying out loud. The redundancy of some word’s usage is never offensive, merely annoying, and leads me to smile and think, “There speaks another lemming.” Metaphorically speaking, that is. That being said. . . .oh, never mind.

A great list. I’m so sick of “baby bump” and “man cave.” Maybe ad copywriters and the idiots who write for TV will pay attention.

Fundamentally.

I have never heard many of these overused words except for “Amazing”. But no one I know used it so much that I hate it. Ginormous is very common, I often hear it, get annoyed with it, then forget about it. It just sounds silly especially when I hear it being used in a serious conversation.

I dislike baby-bump, I rather hear the word “pregnant”. It makes it sound like somesort of skin condition.

The word ’so.’

So many people wrongfully replace the words ‘very,’ ‘very much,’ and ‘many’ with so that it’s accelerating my gray hair count. People think it’s even correct to do so.

It’s a comparative adjective in those cases, so use it as such. Don’t leave the sentance hanging, waiting for you to finish the comparison.

Perfect example is 3 posts above my first (Woof on January 6, 2012 at 10:09 am):

“A great list. I’m so sick of ‘baby bump’ and ‘man cave,’ ” ……….that?

(You can’t end the sentance there.)

This probably won’t make much sense to most people on here but I’m sure any British folk on here will agree with me… The word “veto” should be suspended from the English language for a few months, especially as it was completely misused – last time I checked, “wielding a veto” meant actually meant stopping something from happening…?

Oh, and “hacking.”

Both more exclusive to British press though.

oh my god all of you guys get a life. your sitting on a computer arguing about something thats not even happening. they are words and words are meant to be said get over it for christ sakes.

I’ll agree that some words such as “sick” and “like” are overused, but as much as these words may bother us sometimes, I have more important things to worry about than silly, overused words. “Overused words” isn’t even on my list of things that are worthy of stressing out about.

I don’t like it when people say orientated instead of oriented. Yes, orientation is a word, but I think orientated is misused. Same goes for disorientated.

I think you are all being over-sensitive. They are words. An expression of someone’s ideas, and you wish to censor them. That goes against the very grain of expresson and language.

I hate when people write/type the word ‘women’ when they meant ‘woman’.

‘Women’ is plural, ‘woman’ is singular.

And I love “Amazing Grace”, it’s a beautiful song about our beautiful Lord<3

Can you really “ban” a word? I still think I’m going to say ‘amazing’ even though it’s not “politically” correct. Banning words is ridiculous and stops nothing. Drugs are illegal, but yet we still have millions of arrests for them each year. Banning will not do anything.

What about ‘awesome’ and ‘this/that sucks’? It’s a good word but it’s been used so many times for so many useless situations mostly by teenagers.

Me:”Hey, Jake! Loui threw up his hotdogs when he was on the roller coaster.
Jake:”Awesome.Sucks for him though.”

Personally, I vote we ban the words ‘thug’, ’swag’ and ‘ho(e)’. FOR EVER.

Two Top Picks

“Bandwidth”
As used to describe a lack of something (generally heard bandied about in technology companies), e.g., “We don’t have the bandwidth to host the luncheon.”
!CRINGE! !CRINGE! !CRINGE! !CRINGE! !CRINGE!

“Closure”
When grief begins to subside, whether due to the passage of time or an event or action (such as the conviction of a murderer), this process should be given more dignified and expressive definition than: closure.
!CRINGE! !CRINGE! !CRINGE! !CRINGE! !CRINGE!

Both of these earn an enviable 5-Cringe rating.

I believe that the word, “love”, is completely overused, but who is to say that the definition is the only truth in if love actually exists?

“Definitely not” is the term that haunts me, but imagine it in a valley girl voice. Also “legit” and even “legitly,” which isn’t even a word, have been so overused. “Hella” too, but maybe that’s just here in California.

I think all the ridiculous -ing words, such as planking, eagling, and others like these should be deleted

How about ‘closure’?

this is stupid!! these words should not be banished. they are not offensive!!! retards!!!

Banning words is dumb

don’t ban words

Sustainable, sustainability, sustainably, unsustainable, unsustainability, unsustainably – it’s a freakin’ eco-invasion…. even rock festivals now are “sustainable”…. how so?

“EXTREME” and “XTREME”. You can’t have a sport or an energy drink anymore without XTREME!

My comments:

Chihuahua in raincoat=child of pet parent

Much ado about effective language usage.

“Tis better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Also, “affect” or “effect”. Eliminate one or the other and beyond that, all is well with the world. So mote it be.

Eliminate “effect” or “affect”, one or the other. Beyond that, all is well. Thank you very much!

Each and every one of these words irks me! They deserve to be banished.

“At the end of the day” is the most annoying cliche of 2011. It makes my teeth hurt.

Like 95% of these words I don’t even fricken use!

I suggest that, rather than banning words, we simply ban those people who, regardless of reason, decline to broaden their vocabularies. Hey, what?

Why banned?

I like being amazing…
to karin heaterfill: I don’t know…

to karen: ?

I like being amazing.

I think whenever someone says “legit” they should be tazed in the butthole.

OK these are overused or misused words but not to really be banished. Same misuse of the title word banished? Use words properly or don’t use them please.

Half of these aren’t words, they’re phrases. And “ginormous” is a stupid teeny-bopper word that should never have been added to any dictionary in the first place.

I vote that “epic” only be banished from the vocabulary of non-gamers and non-gaming related conversation.

Can we also banish “rediculous”?

People, they don’t mean LITERALLY banished, just that maybe people should stop over-using them or declare a temporary moratorium on them!

My cringe-makers are “channel your inner____” (like channel your inner chef, channel your inner diva, etc etc) and “get your___on.”

Oh, and “I love me some _____.”

All seem kind of prententious, and are now cliches!

Amazingly, people, NPR and Lake Superior State University cannot actually ban any words. Let’s think about that before we get upset about them squashing anyone’s first amendment rights.

If a word annoys you, don’t say it. Avoid people who do. Cope.

TOO CRAZY,and im not over “amazing yet.

opps forgot to ad ” at the end of “amazing”

The Only Question I have is: Why is the dog wearing a knockoff T-Shirt Lookalike?

my daughter is employed with Verizon Wireless and she told me her manager uses the phrase “My ask”…..
i assume it means “my request” but it is the stupidest remark I’ve ever heard. Sounds like “my ass” to me! Somebody please tell me…. Is this term being widely used in corporate America?

i cringe when a woman announces her pregnancy by saying “We’re pregnant”. Sorry honey, only you are pregnant.

I think “really” when said in the really annoying smarmy way should be banned or at least the speaker punched in the stomach. Also, I think we should encourage people to start saying “Yer mom!” more often.

Coming from a teenager, I cannot STAND the words (and phrases)
Swag
Epic
That’s what she said

I mean, seriously. This is ridiculous.
-____________________-

How about the word “Legit” ? I feel the meaning of this word is being skewed by its overuse.

Let me use the idea of “irony” correctly and comment that I find it ever so ironic that so many people who read these articles and use this site can’t spell or write worth a damn.

Here’s an idea: Learn how to use the English language first, and then worry about idioms, colloquialisms, and expressions that bother you. How can one criticize or critique language when one knows not how to use it?

OK, When they say “banished”, or “banned”, they don”t really mean it!!! It just means that people have overused too much. The first ammendment has NOTHING to do with this.
Plus, I think EPIC and FAIL should be added.

How about “I came here to win”? Yes, we were really unsure of your intentions when you entered a competition…

i will agree that there are some words that become a victim of overuse and mis representation , in my opinion words are tools that pave a way to break the barrier of misconception and miscommunication , banning some words could eliminate the basic essence or meaning of the word itself and its absence will leave a gap or void and gave birth to some neologism that are unclear and strange , we can accept the fact that there are evolution of words and those changes were quite healthy , obscene and obliterated words are there for the filthy minds but the words we use to convey to bridge the gap to the world gave us distinction to be called intellectually sane human !

One word… troll.

I don’t get how the topic changed from discussing the words to chihuahuas in raincoats to pregnancy. But, I must admit, the chihuahua in the raincoat was really rather cute. In fact that’s what attracted me to this article and I was somewhat disappointed when I realizde that the article had nothing to do with little chihuahuas whatsoever.
Also, I think that many of the comentors on this page are going a bit overboard in their panic at this article stating that a few overused words are being banned from the dictionary. In fact, I personaly don’t think that the organizations listed in the article can or would actually ban such words from the English Dictionary.
Oh, and to “susan” who commented on January 6, 2012 at 3:33 pm, was it really nessecary to bring up such a topic in such a wonderfully intense dicussion?
To anyone who actually read my whole comment… WOW!!! I really appreciate your patience with my words.

I don’t think so that these words should be banned. It’s depend on person to person whether they want use them or no.

no! dear Susan the whole world has been pregnant this year of fool politicians’ events, so??????????????????

‘Trend’ as a verb can, I think, safely be consigned to the flames.

But that’s not likely to happen.

“Buzzy” I can’t believe it’s not yet been mentioned. I’ve read it many times in the Yahoo News headlines as in, “… buzzy new movie…” and every time I see it I have to grit my teeth. It’s not a word but rather an attempt to create a hip, new catchword and it’s disgustingly cutsie. I hope this one dies a quick death.

I agree with “Darkcaller” in that people should educate themselves before repeatedly using words or terms or phrases, when they obviously haven’t a clue what they are saying. I don’t get angry or annoyed, though. I am constantly amused – I enjoy listening to people, especially when they are trying so hard to sound like an intellectual and then,…..”open mouth, insert foot”.

If there were a term that could annoy me, it would have to be “MY BAD”! It bothers me the most when a supposed “adult” uses it; but it’s not my job or my place to govern how people talk, or walk, or dress, for that matter. Each individual has the right to be who they are.

My mother gets very annoyed when people say, “Sounds like a plan”. She says, “That’s to ignorant. Is it a GOOD plan or a BAD plan??? I hate when people say that!”

I always bristle at the use of: “at this point in time” what’s wrong with “now”?

The phrase, “at the end of the day,” bothers me more than the phrase, “just the other day,” (as if there are only 2 days — this day and the other day). However, what disturbs me more is the use of the word, “at,” in conjunction with the word, “where.” Compare the following 2 questions: “Where is he?” and, “Where is he at?” To be AT somewhere is simply to BE somewhere. So the @ is completely unnecessary and should be omitted entirely. And finally, my loudest gripe is the use of the word, “impact,” as a substitute for the word, “affect.” Literally, an impact is what happens in a collision. For example, the impact of the hammer drives the nail into the wood. That’s fine, but if something impacts your life, then really, something merely affects your life. Can a remark really impact your mood, or does it simply affect your mood? Does CNN ever impact your world, or does it simply affect your world? All right, so at the end of the day, my utopia would ban 3 stupid utterances, and the result would have very little impact, overall, and that is where i am at.

I am of the opinion that idiomatic phrases should be banned along with clichés of any type. They enslave us to recycled speech and stifle originality.

I nominate “due diligence”. This is a term used most frequently by law enforcement people who have limited vocabularies but want to sound impressive.

Has anybody seen that “alot” blog? it’s about the way people run the words “a lot” together while they type. it’s pretty funny, and i thought it was relevent given the subject here. my main pet peeves…the phrase “pet peeve”, which is like an annoyed dog or cat, the word “intense”, which my cousin uses to describe almost everything she talks about, because she doesn’t have that big of a vocab, and the way people confuse “ignorant” with “retarded”. ignorance means you don’t know something. ignorance can be FIXED. i also hate the way people pronounce it “ig’nant”. i’m surrounded by hicks and i hate it. and besides my own dislikes, i understand, as some folks don’t seem to be able to, that this is just a speculative list. they’re not acutally getting rid of these words–if they were, my profession as a writer would be shot–but it’s a way for those of us who get annoyed with the way ppl talk to vent.

How about “Eco Friendly”????

MW3 is the most popular word type thing now

I think the word “so” should be banished, especially as it is too often used as some kind of trailing, noncommittal qualifier at the end of sentences. I’m just saying that it is the new “um,” so…

“Intense” is grossly overused; surely there are more accurate words to describe a serious, intimidating, or otherwise grand experience. I agree with those who noted that, unless we are living in George Orwell’s 1984, words cannot actually be made illegal (see the Constitution’s “Bill of Rights”).

Store-bought ready-made overworked words and phrases reveal our limited vocabulary and mental laziness. I am NOT suggesting we use only 5 syllable words. Use the over-worked words freely. But recognize that limiting our language also limits our ability to think. Recognize these dead-from-overuse words define an arid inner landscape. They are an escape from thinking. Their overuse deadens any energy in our speech. If everything is “great” then nothing is great. The word has lost meaning. To the list of dead words, I would also add the sound of the question that is destroying the natural music of our language. We find that omnipresent question at the end of many phrases, the middle of most sentences and at the end of almost every sentence.

Like, ok, cool, awesome, going forward, the ‘F’ word.

Not necessarily “banished” but grammer like this makes me cringe:
.
“Y’all, he be fixin’ to go, irregardless of thems grandbabies hollerin’ for my old lady (or “the wife”).

A scary term I’ve overheard being used by young women, about another young woman, was the term “too-smart”. “Oh, she’s too-smart…” they’ll say in a very derogitory way. I got the impression that the girls that they’d refered to weren’t being a “smarty-pants”, but were evidencing intelligence that was as an unwelcomed asset & was percieved as threating, and most importantly in their world, ‘not cool’. Gawd help us all!!!

I actually like using the word epic, but only when I’m trying not to be serious.
Like EPIC FAIL in the deepest voice you can possibly do.

Anything lol cats like is more annoying to me. Unless it’s really funny…

I think the word “legit” should be put on this list. A girl at my school used it incorrectly in a sentence, so I asked her if she knew what it meant. Her response? “Duh. It means, like, cool.” … Need I say more?

If you, like, ban the words awesome, epic, random, and like, I’ll not be able to, like, speak properly.

If you ban ‘legit’, you’ll lose the ‘Seems Legit’ meme.

swag
epic
legit

Amazing was a bit overused but I don’t know about the rest of them. However, I agree with that other person, words should never be banned. People should just learn the right way to use them!

Kardashian, enough said.

People need to stop being so critical in the comments i think that these words have a right to be banished its not like their making you stop using them their just showing the words that are over used! You people dont need to get the Constituion involved! DONT BE SO CRITICAL!!!!

Some people have sense

Please kill the word ’swag’ and anyone who says it… well maybe not the last part.

Freakin’ A

Susan – I totally agree with you! And I have never heard the term “My ask” before however I do live in England.

Words and phrases that should be banned is everything that “only way is Essex” TV programme churns out such as “no carbs before marbs” in Standard English means don’t eat carbohydrates before going on holiday (which is also not the healthiest way to diet!).

For people who think this is about being OFFENDED it’s more about keeping English as a usable and functional language. With such a massive influx of words and phrases in the past years is creating communication problems even within the same social circles! Language is for communication (as well as identity) and unless it can be used to do this effectively then the language is useless.

They shouldn’t ban anything, but if they do, ban the word(s) “what the heck?!”

How about you ban “legit?” People have been using that in place of “awesome,” or “cool.”

Incorrect use of “comprise” should be banished. Even educated writers don’t know how to use it. I come across misuse more often than correct use.

Overused Words/Phrases:

Awkward, (e.g. awks-in-a-box, awks my socks, awks sauce, awks-fox)
Not gonna lie
Get at me
Classic!
Legit
Fail (or Epic Fail)
Epic
I hate my life ( ? )
Sucks to suck

These are things my high school classmates say all the time, its annoying!

Also

“I think you are all being over-sensitive. They are words. An expression of someone’s ideas, and you wish to censor them. That goes against the very grain of expresson and language.” -Margo

Very well said ^

swag – ughhh i hate it soooooo much!!!!!!

how about “my bad” enough already, eh! uffda

what about pwn, pwned, own, and owned? these are really anoying!

Walmart is always bragging about having blowbacks… rofl

Ginormous isn’t a new word at all – I had a friend in college who used it all the time – that was 10 years ago.

Let’s quit using ‘icon’ and ‘iconic’ for things or people that are neither. Let’s also get rid of ‘journey’ as used on some reality/competition shows like ‘The Bachelor;’ Better still just get rid of ‘The Bachelor.’

Did anybody noting these comments pass English composition in high school? If you did, you shouldn’t have. I’ve never seen so many errors in grammer, spelling, definition, or sentence structure. Get the words right before you even consider challenging them!

Sorry, that should be “GRAMMAR,” not grammer (lol).

Sounds as though some people are having a bit of “word rage”. Calm down and take a deep breath. To each his/her own. There are more important things in this world to get upset about. If you don’t want to hear people say certain words, there’s a very simple solution. Become a recluse. Or take your right index finger and place it in your right ear; then take your left index finger and place in your left ear. Now…. close your eyes and go to your happy place. In other words…..lighten up. Oh, and “have a nice day”.

I think there should be a thesaurus award for Australian mainstream news journalists that use “notorious,” and “unprecedented” in every story.

‘Not even funny’
’seriously’
These two words are seriously so overused that it’s not even funny!

What about “all the options are on the table” … should it not be also banished as
being too much repeated and also offensive to mankind`s common sense?

if words are not vulgar, why ban them ??

if words are not vulgar, why ban them?????

actually…

“Amazing”. Working with children gives the staff the licence to use it, and then when I’m not at work, I realise everyone else uses to describe things that are, in fact, not that amazing at all.

how come these wordss are ofensive… and no word should be banned! i think the 2 most overused words are epic and noob and both pisses me of!!! and how come u get ofended by words!?!?!?!?!?!?!? if u do get surrond urself witth people who dont say that word also….. how is amazing offending!

Personally I loathe the word “Celebrity”… the word that the newsmedia uses incessantly to cover up the fact that most of the people they describe as “celebrities” are vacuous non-entities that really wouldn’t make a mark in a supermarket queue. Being famous for selling your private life to a tv show is not the same as being an actor, or a musician, or an artist. Why the media thinks that people who are famous for doing nothing should be lumped together with people who trained and sacrificed to be what they are, is a mystery. Make this the year that the vacuous word ‘celebrity’ falls into disuse.

I think that none of this word should be banned becouse dont mean nothing bad

I have not seen this on the list–but it irritates the h*** out of me. It’s usually from young girls in the service industry–whether it’s a restaurant, cafe, clothing store.. the word?

“PERFECT!”

“Will you sign here?”

“Sure.”

“PERFECT!”

Of course it’s perfect. It’s my signature.

Oh and for all of you literalists out there, when someone says these words are “banned”, it really is just a way of saying “pet peeve alert.” Stop hyperventilating.

And for those of you who really think we are seriously bothered by the words so much so that we have to actually avoid people who use them, and “cope”, I say “unclench” (another over-used word of 2011, but I like it.) If you can’t handle the over-usage of a word by someone, you have bigger problems than a banned word list.

Amazing!

I think that the word “awkward” should be banished. people use this word way too much, escpecially when the situation is not awkward.

And in terms of bad words the word “retard” or “retarded” should definetly be banished. It’s so rude when someone calls someone that, they probably dont know what it means and who they are offending.

Basically and awesome are being overused in my family which

is boring; there are otherwords having the meaning of basically

and awesome. anotherword which is often used in the southern

part of India is SUPER.they know there are otherwords but this

word super is easier to them.

can anyone tell me what were the “words of the day” on 4,5,and 6th

January 2012. I missed out. Thanks.

PC RAMABADRAN

This website is awesome!
It may just be defining the new normal.

XD

Reading some of these comments make me laugh!

This is meant to be humorous!

It is quite interesting to see how many people think “epic” should be “banished”, though. I personally think swear words should be banned, if words are ever actually going to be banned.

@ susan:

So true! Only the woman is pregnant. That drives me nuts too.

Swagger/Swagga

I’m sure somebody beat me to this but I’ll try anyway. The grouping of the words National Public Radio as well as the entity itself should be banned. The bias shown by the tax payer funded station is remarkable.

“Nice” and “good” should be forbidden because they have no true emotional meaning and people use them in the wrong context all the time. (Suddenly everything is described as “nice” and everyone feels real “good”). Also shortening words such as “ridic” (ridiculous) “obvi” (obvioulsy) “probs” (probably) “totes” (totally) “def” (definitely) and “nast” (nasty).

“Just sayin’.” …that one is just irritating. -_-

My list of offensive words/phrases that should be banned:

Baby bump (I am so glad this sickens others as well)
Just sayin’
Clearly

And let’s not forget the two words that have made me cringe since I was a kid:

Moist
Tender

Lol. nearly a word now and incredibly (another word) irritating

I hate it when I or anyone is telling someone something and they say..”Shutup”..meaning really? or no kidding? I just want to shutup when they say it..Or when you explain something or tell a story and they say.”.Really?” Of course really..I say it myself..

Bobo should be on the list – even though no one knows what it means, but they still use it!!!!!!!! :/

Words should be banned in certain contexts! I.e. “swag” in rap music and “debauchery” being used to promote a club party!

I hate it when people talk about bad words. There is nothing wrong with them. A bad or swear word, what ever tou want to call the, is simply a word that people have decided are bad, which makes no sense. All they are is a sound you make by moving your mouth and tounge around.

AMAZING IS DA MUST OFFEFZInVE wurd evar

The journalist forgot “swag”

like
swag
wicked
meep
’sup
literally
awesome
rediculous
whatever
seriously
retard/retarded

ban the word ‘banned’… words were made and spoken and no one could ever anyone in using those…

I think the most overused phrase of modern time is “on the ground.” It seems news reporters have difficulty narrowing down the exact geographic location of events.

I think having a list of “banished words” is pointless. I mean, some words get on my nerves, but putting them on on a list is stupid. Its not like people are gonna quit using them anyway.

Baby bump is not allowed. Anyone who uses that word is instantly deleted from my friends list, Christmas card list and my phone.

bundle
artisan

Many English people, Dr. Who included, use the word “brilliant” like Americans use amazing.
Let’s have lunch.
Brilliant!

I just put my coat on.
Brilliant!

I really think that there are words that could be swept out of our lives, but in other hands words like “occupy” have gained more importance these days, so this list seems to me not trustful.

Many words could be called “bad.” Even worse is some of the grammar and spelling used on this page.

here’s my “banned” word list…

1. swag
2. beast
3. dawg
4. bro/bra (whatever you wanna call it)
5. totally
6. (text talk in every day life)
7. dude

so basically any word that makes you sound like a neanderthal

These words arent bad who ever did this is stupid

Like, totally, dude, dunno, whatever, stuff, you know, and really.
These are really, you know, overused, and stuff. Like, when my friends talk, i hear dude, like, dunno, and whatever a lot. Possibly also freakin’ and freaking should be considered.

Ok so here are the words(used to describe something really good) that drive me batty.

#1 Ridonculous
Epic
Sick
Legit
Wicked
Amazing
Awesome

I know that doesn’t leave much, perhaps ‘brilliant’….

Epic. Most often it’s not even used correctly. Not to mention i doubt most people know it refers to a very large pece of literature.

you all make me laugh. good joke

ofcorce theres the ppl who talk abt the constitution on this but realy guyes? its amazing how sereous u r about it because u can say whatever u want and u know u can and u know that this is mainly to be funny but u cant keep urself from makeing thowes kinds of comments

AMAZING

Someday I hope we all speak LOL SPEAK (look it up)…..this is far better than our current language/spelling/words. Then there would never be any BANNED WORDS.

Some of these reactions are just funny to read. All these words not being used by their “true definitions”… Do those exist in english? I know that some languages (e.g. spanish) have what my teacher calls a “Committee of They” that gets together and decides on language rules, but we DON’T. Look at Shakespeare’s plays, or even Jane Eyre. Compared to them, even the strictest “grammar nazi” sounds uncivilized.

Also, I just wanted to mention that some of the self-righteous epic-bashers spoke about how they wanted to “banned words”. I’m sorry, but we are not in the second grade. We need to learn verb tenses.

“touch base with” [stop saying that tony]
“CRAP” [stop saying that ryan]
“in my opinion”
“you’re standing here telling me”
“devastating”
“douchebag” since everyone these days is a douchebag

thats my list.

There are some funny and interesting comments on here.

The over-used phrases that irritate me the most include but are not limited to are (hint, hint): “does that make sense”, and “at the end of the day”. Also, idioms chap my hide! It is completely annoying to hear educated journalists on NPR bandying these mentally lazy excuses for appropriate words upon impressionable listeners.

i dont get y u guyz r ovareactin 2 dis. i think itz just a joke n’ i don freakin care. im still gonna use these words anywayz why shud u care wat i say every1 chill

Some overused and over abused words (and expressions) of 2011:
” ’sup?” – an acronym of “wat’s up” which people use as a salutation to sound “cool”, another word that should have been banned long ago.
Ask someone to express their opinion on a particular subject/ person/ action/ gesture and more often than not you get one of the following responses (made popular in facebook and twitter when clicking ‘like’ ain’t enough) – cool, awesome, amazing, out of this world, rocking, fantastic, epic – all these words should be banned. Get more creative people!!!
When someone is explaining something, the sentences usually start with “basically”, “it’s nothing but”, “it’s simple” and everytime I flinch because the compication of the subject matter is inversely proportional to the frequency of the use of these words.
And some words and expressions which have replaced that “ummm” to fill up their flow of thoughts should also be banned. Like – like, u know, i mean, okay, whatever.

“trended” !!!
“TRENDED” !!!!
YEUCH!!

so what if words are being “overused” this is just indicating popularity of the words:p

the word AWESOME should be banned!!

“Terrified” (in particular when used to describe something clearly not terrifying — )

Banishing words is like burning books: not realistic. Linguistics shows us that it is the native speakers of a language who determine what will be said both grammatically and semantically: language and words.

Just as ‘ain’t’ is here to stay, all the words on your lists will or will not be banished bases upon how speakers and hearers determine their value.

Language is what it is and will become what it will in spite of all our efforts.

You be down with that?

So, now, “Am*zing Grace” goes, “Ehhhh-pic Grace, how sweeeet the sound…” ???

“24/7″ is one of those overused expressions that makes me cringe, just like “millennium” did a few years ago.

There sure are a lot of epic posts in these comments!

I agree. The word amazing has been overused and misused over the decades (not only in 2010). People easily say “amazing” even if they weren’t amazed at all. How’s that?

Good one, Ca. Kardashian should be listed

Context does not alter meaning, so simply because a word is used by one to offend another does not imply that its definition has changed. Words are phrases should not, nay, cannot be banned, for their creation in language does not allow for the discontinuation of their existence. Definitions and contexts change, but words are eternal.

Now, who set NPR up as the arbiter of language that should be employed or banished? Are they not–perhaps–projecting themselves as being as unwarrantedly presumptuous as their right wing nemeses? Just askin’…

Yes Please try to say what words I am and not allowed to use. Just what we need “Real Time Censorship” It is like epic, and a Ginormous undertaking. So bite the big one!! How many ways can I say I just don’t care about sensitive people. Get OVER it!

why amazing?

Ban “I know, right?” Doesn’t even make SENSE!!

i used to say epic but then i took an arrow to the knee

[...] so they might have read about it on the Hot Word Blog which is where I stole the idea from, but a boy can [...]

Should abolish ‘conservative and liberal.’ They have been so abused and debased they have no meaning (or new meaning — neologism) today. They are more like Orwellian ‘new speak.’

I would be quite happy if I never heard “Kardashian” again.

I thought “swag” referred to promotional giveaway items — or am I that old and out if it? Many of the other overused words/phrases are on my list of words I prefer not to use. Several of these words are used incorrectly — “random” in particular grates on my nerves. (Ask a 10 y.o. what it means, and I’m sure s/he has no idea as to its true meaning.)

I think that the “ban” refers to having people think BEFORE they speak, not merely banning words outright. In time, these phrases will sound silly and outdated. Do any of you remember when “groovy,” “far out,” “bread,” and “pad” were overused — and does anyone even use these in their late 60s context anymore?

I’d also like to add the current phrases such as “I like me some” and “Me likey” to the list. If these don’t make the person saying/writing them appear ignorant.

How about the word d * u * h ? I’m not going to put those words together because it is irritating !!! I cringe everytime I hear it .

Ohh wow ?? Amazing , i have to say i use that ALOT but why get banished? The “Foul” word should be banished , Amazing is Amazing

I literally want to punch anyone who says “hubby.” Most disliked word ever.

Voldemort

Occupy
Occupy and (more of…
Occupy and then
Austerity
Authority (and therefore, POWER INJUSTICE CONTROL ABUSE & such UNPROFESSIONALISM in POST SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION…)

A couple of you/my friends questioned about the Chihuahua in amber raincoat, if I understood…. Dog is a PET and amber/orange colour is a kind of warning (or LOOKOUT!!!) sign that is annoying/irritating etc desiganting as PEEVEs must be. So altogether it’s PET PEEVES, as what this blog is suppossed to be–a subtle, yet unique, metaphor to certain kind of gaining in knowledge it looks. Then again I could be totally wrong, and I should stand correct.

@ Ramabadan… look up… way up… & see underneath the HOT WORD (RED lettering) where you’ll find PREVIOUS | BLOG | … you’ll find all of that what you missed as well as more.

Thank you as usual.

“Task” as a verb… it is a NOUN

Similarly “impact” as a verb…it is also A NOUN

You left out “on the ground”. A stupid expression which people picked
up and started using similar to “you know”. I call it redundant and totally unnecessary in conversation and in writing English.

Why not instead of banning words, we ban the people who use them?

There definitely should be capital punishment for the use of clichés or at least people using clichés should be flushed. Those using overused words show no creativity or much of anything else.

What about “not so much?” Loathsome…

These are no such rules in chinese languages.

Or the word “Procrastination” “Cool”

hi kids…..

“ummm” should be banned

Quote : “Ginormous”

Sorry… Is that a word. I get the feeling that some person is rewriting the same rubbish under multiple names.

hello people

Banning… no
But we might curtail their use by pinpointing to users how these words are counter-productive

Who is the wizard at NPR that decided I should not use certain words? Words evolve as humanity evolve to explain changing times and changing conditions. Thus the list that is forbidden because someone thinks the human langauge should be forever stagnant. By the way; I think these great words to cover trhings in our ever changing society.

amazing should be banished? you guys are out of your mind, amazing is nvr abused.

That picture is so cute! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to call that dog Oddo.:)

If you use “awesome” and “amazing” to describe something as trivial as a ham sandwich or an article of clothing, what words do you have left to describe God and his wonderful creations?

“Veggies” – are we too lazy to say “vegetables”.
“Apps” too

I have only heard of three of these. Amazing, blowback and ginormous.
these people need to take some time to chill out.

really!?!?!?! ban words… what ever happened to freedom of speech. pathetic!!!

Man! They should stop this “banishing” of words or we’ll all end up mute in the future.

“LOL” is a bit used too often.

And “Trollololollloololoololol”. Possibly…

Amazing how 95% of these replies misread “banish” for “ban”. Awesome!

My list would be-
Occupy
99%
“that’s what she said”
epic
brb
like…..
honestly…..
text talk in general
grow up
shut up
live it up
EPIC!
and, last but not at all least,
who said you could…?

All great candidates for banishment, and I would add my personal, # 1 blackboard screecher…FOLKS ( hey..look at ME, I’m a regl’er guy ) !!
Honorable mention to: “REALLY?” to start of the old incredulity.

WITH THE WEALTH OF WORDS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IT IS JUST A SHAME SOME WORDS ARE USED OVER AND OVER AND OVER. THE WORD “LIKE” IS SO HACK KNEED AND UNFORTUNATELY IT IS SPREADING WORLD WIDE. LISTEN TO THE BBC AS IT TRAVELS AROUND FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THERE IS ONE BRIGHT SPOT…….. IF PEOPLE ARE EXHAUSTED BY THE SAME WORDS USED AD INFINITUM MAYBE THEY WILL LISTEN LESS AS THEY READ MORE AND ACQUIRE A BETTER VOCABULARY.

They said “banished” not “banned.” While the two word have similar meanings, they are not the same thing. Dictionary.com (of all sites) is not trying to ban ANY word obviously. They’ve just compiled a list of phrases and jargon that have either been overused or misused, especially as of late. You can’t ban a word to the best of my knowledge. And certainly, even if you could, I don’t think Dictionary.com would be leading the charge. The reason “amazing” made the list is because it’s greatly overused. Something that amazes you should stupify you, mystify you and bewilder your senses. Very few events in your life should actually amaze you. Perhaps it shouldn’t be banished so much as there should be a figurative cap on its use. You can only use it 5 times in your life, after that, you’ll have to come up with another verb to describe the time you were kidnapped by aliens east of Yuma.

May I ban a group of words that act as a single word?

“as well as”

I think ‘AWESOME and ‘EPIC’ are the ones to be dumped first !

really, they shouldn’t ban words–especially amazing. also i think epic should’ve made the list. I am not kidding, i’ve heard it a million times more than amazing.

haha–funny, Jeba, and sadly true.

“That being said” or “Having said that” just drives me nuts.

“For the simple fact that..” and “Phenomenal”

No. The only word I absolutely despise…is “swag”.

…

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGE!!!!!! >:O

I am most annoyed with words that have somehow,over time, taken on a “spin” of unquestionable goodness, thus making them favorites of lawyers, politicians and those that may have to later eat their words. Here are a few: moral, ethical, enthusiastic, dedicated , remarkable, principled, confident, tireless, convincing, motivated, ….
Not convinced, yet? Apply these terms to every villian of global or local significance[Osama Bin Laden, Hitler, Charles Manson, Jesse James, Jim Jones, my ex-wife...]. I am a speech writer, and will always be “amazed” how easily we are moved by the music we have set to so many of our words. Remarkable(my favorite).
Kev

I came here mostly for the comments, since it seems like every time a topic like this comes up, people rage about it. It’s like a slightly less serious version of politics, and I personally love it.
It’s hilarious.
Here are some phrases to take your mind off these… depressing issues:
Take a dump, make some friends.
Jump off a cliff, die. It’s what most people do.
Cool your pants, get some yogurt.
Don’t eat a TV, it’s bad for your fingers.
I hope these phrases have enlightened you. You can flame it all you want. Whoopee.
Good day.

Cool should be on the list. Seriously though! Actually, if you think about it, there’s nothing offensive about “cool” so never mind.

stuff

[...] (it was a man’s mountain bike – so different and weird to dear Betty). But of course, I wasted time [...]

I carpool with a girl who uses “Literally” incorrectly. For example “Ohmygosh that, like, literally freaked me out!”

Silverdragon- SWAG: Something We Americans Got.

I’m surprised It has taken this long (it’s been at epidemic levels for around two years) for other people to notice this moronic ‘impact’ business. It started overnight and caught on fast. I’m even more surprised at the seemingly intelligent people who abuse it unconsciously. It’s another example of how easily the majority of the western world can get caught up in a stupid fad and not even realise.

My additions, including some already mentioned:
band wagon
epic
bucket list
___ is the new black
what happens in ____ stays in ____
seriously
awesome
like
(I assume from the example short phrases are included.)

Trolling and swag are simply ridiculous, even though they haven’t been around long. Fad talk… ugh.

Note that the “Freedom of Speech” many of you have referred to is intended to protect people who speak out against the government. This has nothing to do with governing our language.