Banned Phrases!

Lake Superior State University compiled its annual "List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness" for 2013. The list, which was first launched in 1976, accepts nominations for banned words year-round.

Check out the list, below, followed by select comments from nominators:

• fiscal cliff - "Makes me want to throw someone over a real cliff"
• kick the can down the road - "I would definitely like to kick some cans of the human variety every time I hear politicians use this phrase to describe a circumstance that hasn't gone their way."
• double down - "The next time I see or hear the phrase, I am going to double over."
• job creators/creation - "One of the most overplayed buzz terms of the 2012 presidential campaign. Apparently 'lowering unemployment' doesn't have the same impact."
• passion/passionate - "Diabetes is not just Big Pharma's business, it's their passion! This or that actor is passionate! about some issue somewhere. A DC lobbyist is passionate! about passing (or blocking) some proposed law. My passion! is simple: Banish this phony-baloney word."
• YOLO (You Only Live Once) - "Just gives people, especially teens, a reason to do stupid things."
• spoiler alert - "Used as an obnoxious way to show one has trivial information and is about to use it, no matter what."
• bucket list - "Getting this phrase on the Banished Word List is on my bucket list!"
• trending - "I'm sick of chirpy entertainment commentators constantly informing us of what 'is trending right now.' I used to like a good trend until this."
• superfood - "It's food. It's either healthful or it's not. There is no 'super' involved."
• boneless wings - "Can we just call them chicken (pieces)?"
• guru - "Unless you're teaching transcendental meditation, Hinduism or Buddhism, please don't call yourself a guru just because you think you're an expert at something. It's silly and pretentious. Let other people call you that, if they must."

For these played-out words, the opening line of "Auld Lang Syne" is appropriate: "Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind." Are any of your favorites included? Tell us in the comments below.