Introduction to the Banished Words List
The annual Michigan college survey, conducted by Lake Superior State University, has released its 50th annual “Banished Words List,” which features the top 10 words and phrases that respondents believe are overused and misused. This tongue-in-cheek roundup, affectionately called the list of “Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness,” started in 1976 as a New Year’s Eve party idea. The list is compiled from over 1,400 submissions from all 50 states and several countries outside the U.S., including Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Japan.
Top 10 Banished Words and Phrases
According to the list, the top 10 words and phrases that should be “banished” include “6-7,” “cooked,” “demure,” “incentivize,” “perfect,” “gift/gifted,” “my bad,” and “reach out.” Notably, “my bad” and “reach out” have appeared on the list before, in 1998 and 1994, respectively. The inclusion of these words and phrases highlights the fad and vernacular trends of the younger generation, which are often driven by social media.
Understanding the “6-7” Phenomenon
The phrase “6-7” has been particularly puzzling for parents, teachers, and others over the age of 40. Dictionary.com even picked it as their 2025 word of the year, while other dictionaries chose words like “slop” and “rage bait.” However, the meaning of “6-7” remains unclear, even to its users. As the dictionary’s editors wrote, “Don’t worry, because we’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means.” The phrase is often used as an inside joke, driven by social media, and can be spoken aloud as “six, seven” or combined as the number 67.
Reactions to the Banished Words List
Some users, like 19-year-old sophomore Alana Bobbitt, are unapologetic about using “6-7,” finding joy in its silliness. Others, like 19-year-old sophomore Jalen Brezzell, are more skeptical, stating that they don’t understand the joke and won’t use the phrase. However, Brezzell does use other words and phrases on the list, such as “cooked,” which he believes got popular on the internet over the past year.
Longevity of Banished Words and Phrases
According to David Travis, Lake Superior State University president, some phrases on the list “will stick around in perpetuity,” while others will be fleeting. Travis believes that “6-7” will likely be gone next year, while other phrases, like “at the end of the day,” will continue to be used. The list serves as a reflection of the ever-changing nature of language, influenced by social media and cultural trends.
For more information on the 50th annual Banished Words List, visit Here
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