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LSSU Bans Overused Words

“Quid pro quo” leads the list of words and phrases banned from the Queen’s English by the Unicorn Hunters at Lake Superior State University. The Latin phrase that’s been beaten to death in news coverage of President Donald Trump’s interaction with Ukraine received the most nominations this year. Other words and phrases that get the axe this year include…

Artisanal and Curated – both because they’re being mis-used to add cachet to things that don’t otherwise have cachet…

Influencer – as used by pretentious Instagram celebrities whose principle influence was to have influencer added to this year’s list of banned words...

Literally – because of its much-too-frequent abuse in describing things that are actually figurative...

“I mean” – which has become a sentence crutch almost as obnoxious as “you know”..

“Living my best life” – which presupposes that you get more than one...

Mouthfeel – a slimy word used by foodies to describe the texture of food in your mouth...

Chirp – an insult hurled by millenials at non-millenials...

Jelly – when used as an abbreviation of “jealous.” It’s still fine for toast...

Totes – when used as an abbreviation of “totally.” Totes overused...

Vibe / vibe check – a new use of the 60s term, “good vibes”… 

“OK, Boomer” – The dismissive phrase aimed at baby boomers by millenials, which set a speed record for going from new to trite within a matter of days. 

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