Banned Words for 2007

Every year we get this list of overused, overwrought, and just plain tired words and phrases. This year I realized for the first time that the list is the product of a specific entity: Lake Superior State University.

Lake Superior State University is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment of 3,000 students. It is known for its academic programs such as fisheries and wildlife management, engineering, teacher education, nursing, criminal justice, fire science and business management.

For admissions information, go to LSSU's web site, www.lssu.edu.

LSSU accepts nominations for the banished-words list throughout the year. To submit your nomination for the 2008 list, go to www.lssu.edu/banished.

I love that this small school has adopted this cause, has owned this concept. Yeah for them.

The words / phrases for 2006 (see the website for explanations): GITMO, COMBINED CELEBRITY NAMES (think Bragelina), AWESOME, GONE/WENT MISSING, PWN or PWNED, NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS, WE'RE PREGNANT, UNDOCUMENTED ALIEN, ARMED ROBBERY/DRUG DEAL GONE BAD, TRUTHINESS, ASK YOUR DOCTOR, CHIPOTLE, i-ANYTHING (e-Anything made the list in 2000), SEARCH ("Might as well banish it. The word has been replaced by 'google.'"), HEALTHY FOOD, BOASTS.