For 50 years, Lake Superior State University (LSSU) has upheld a unique tradition: compiling a list of words and phrases that have overstayed their welcome in the English language. This year, for its golden anniversary, the university released its annual Banished Words List, highlighting terms that have been overused, misused, or have become generally useless in modern conversation.
The 2025 list, sourced from over 1,400 global submissions, targets a range of linguistic offenders, from vague numerical approximations to trendy slang. The top spot was claimed by the phrase "6-7," a non-committal estimate that submitters found particularly irritating.
Key Takeaways
- Lake Superior State University marks the 50th anniversary of its annual Banished Words List.
- The phrase "6-7" (six seven) is the top banished term for 2025 due to its vague and frequent overuse.
- Other banished terms include the slang word "cooked," corporate jargon like "incentivize," and the redundant phrase "full stop."
- The list also revisits "repeat offenders" like "awesome" and "at the end of the day," which have been banished multiple times over the past five decades.
The Class of 2025: A Linguistic Reckoning
The annual list is a cultural barometer, reflecting the phrases and jargon that have saturated our daily communication. What started as a lighthearted New Year's Eve party idea in 1976 by former public relations director W.T. (Bill) Rabe has evolved into a global phenomenon. This year, nominations arrived from every U.S. state and countries as distant as Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Japan.
Vague Numbers and Trendy Slang
The leading culprit for 2025 is the phrase "6-7" (six seven). Many who nominated the term expressed frustration with its imprecision. One submission from Wisconsin humorously noted, "There are six or seven reasons why this phrase needs to be stopped." Another from Utah suggested it was time for the phrase to be "86'ed."
The slang term "cooked" also drew significant ire, particularly from parents. Used to describe a state of exhaustion or being finished, its prevalence has led to listener fatigue. "Hearing it…my brain feels ‘cooked,’” commented Zac A. from Virginia. Some nominators even suggested a ban on all forms of the word.
A Tradition of Word-Watching
The Banished Words List was originally titled the "List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English because of mis-, mal-, over-use, or general uselessness." Over 50 years, it has served as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the evolution of language, capturing the rise and fall of popular catchphrases and corporate buzzwords.
Corporate Jargon and Redundancy
Corporate-speak remains a reliable source for nominations. This year, "incentivize" made the list, with multiple people comparing the sound of the word to "nails on a chalkboard." A submitter from Texas asked a simple question: "What’s wrong with motivate?"
The list also targeted redundant punctuation used in speech. "Full stop," used for emphasis at the end of a sentence, was banished for the same reason its predecessor "period" was previously banned. As Marybeth A. from Oregon explained, it's simply "redundant punctuation."
Similarly, the verbing of nouns continues to annoy language purists. "Gift" or "gifted" used as a verb was banished for a second time, having first appeared on the 1994 list. James S. from Oklahoma noted, "it will make me feel better to recommend that it be included once again."
Words That Have Lost Their Meaning
Some words on the 2025 list were banished not for being new, but for being worn out through overuse, stripping them of their original power.
The word "massive" was a prime example. Don and Gail K. from Minnesota stated it is "Way overused! (often incorrectly)." Its constant application to things that are not, in fact, massive has secured its banishment.
Another victim of overuse is "perfect." Often heard in customer service interactions, the word has become a hollow affirmation. Char S. from Ohio questioned its use, asking, "How do they know it’s perfect…what does that mean?" The sentiment, shared by Jo H. from California, is that there are "very few instances when the word actually applies."
Global Participation
The Banished Words List receives thousands of submissions annually. In 2025, more than 1,400 nominations were sent to LSSU from a diverse range of countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil, and Uzbekistan, demonstrating the global reach of English-language trends.
Phrases That No Longer Connect
Some banished phrases started with good intentions but have since become clichés. "Reach out," first banished in 1994, has returned. Once a phrase implying emotional support, it has become a generic substitute for "contact."
"What started as a phrase with emotional support overtones has now become absurdly overused," asserted Kevin B. from the United Kingdom.
The informal apology "my bad" also makes a return appearance. First banished in 1998, nominators feel it still lacks sincerity. "It does not convey much meaning in the way of an apology," shared Andrea R. from Ohio, echoing a sentiment from 1998 that the phrase sounds "infantile."
The Repeat Offenders Club
To mark the 50th anniversary, LSSU highlighted several words and phrases that have been banished multiple times, proving that some linguistic habits die hard. These "repeat offenders" demonstrate how certain clichés persist across generations.
Some of the most notable repeat banishments include:
- At the End of the Day (1999, 2022, 2024): This phrase holds the unique distinction of being banished three times, cited as a favorite of politicians and Hollywood personalities.
- Absolutely (1996, 2023): Initially banished in the 90s, it returned in 2023 for being the "current default to express agreement."
- Awesome (1984, 2007): One of the earliest banishments, it was criticized for being used to describe mundane events. It returned over two decades later for being "overused and meaningless."
- Game Changer (2009, 2025): Banished for its overuse in media and business, one recent nominator commented, "nothing is a game changer if everything is a game changer."
- Hot Water Heater (1982, 2018): A classic redundancy. As one nominator pointed out decades ago, "Since when does hot water need to be heated?"
As language continues to evolve, the Banished Words List serves as a playful annual check-in on our collective communication habits. While the banishments are symbolic, they encourage a more thoughtful and precise use of words, a mission LSSU has championed for half a century.