Michigan’s Lake Superior State University has released its 45th annual ‘List of Words Banished From the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse & General Uselessness’. This year’s list includes …
Quid pro quo: A favor exchanged for a favor. This phrase received the most nominations this year. (Kinda makes you wonder if someone arranged some kind of sneaky deal on the side…)
Artisanal: Selected as a word that attempts to make something more than it is. (Although that grilled cheese I made for lunch yesterday was definitely artisanal…)
Curated: Like “artisanal,” an attempt at making something more than it is, especially when used in reference to social media (Save it for the museum.)
Influencer: A word Instagram users use to describe themselves to make them feel famous and more important when no one really know who they are or care. (And so they don’t have to pay…)
Literally: One of the few words that has begun to serve as its own opposite. (I’m literally surprised that this word isn’t already banished!)
I mean: It’s easy to see why this phrase was nominated, right? I mean…
Living my best life: Isn’t it something we should all be doing by default? (My best life does not include the use of this phrase…)
Mouthfeel: A word used by foodies to describe the texture of food or drink in the mouth. (Where else, exactly, would you like to touch your food or beverage?)
Chirp: A new one for many who aren’t either millennials or players of team sports. (Before I get chirped for being out of touch, let’s leave this one to the birds!)
Jelly: An abbreviation of “jealous”. (Leave it to the toast?)
Totes: Abbreviation, of “totally.” (Totes overused)
Vibe/vibe check: A new use of the 60s term, “good vibes.” (I don’t get a good vibe from this one. You totes saw that coming…)
OK, Boomer: It came on late in 2019 mainly from a TikTok video as a response from millennials to the older generation. (I’ve just pencilled in the word “TikTok” for next year’s list!)
