Banished To The Realm Of the Cliche

It's my favorite time of year! That's right: Lake Superior State University has just released its annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness!

On this year's list are "green" ("Companies are less 'green' than ever, advertising the fact they are 'green.' Is anyone buying this nonsense?" -Mark Etchason, Denver, CO), "maverick" ("You know it's time to banish this word when even the Maverick family, who descended from the rancher who inspired the term, says it's being mis-used." -Scott Urbanowski, Kentwood, MI), and "bailout" ("Use of emergency funds to remove toxic assets from banks' balance sheets is not a bailout. When your cousin calls you from jail in the middle of the night, he wants a bailout." -Ben Green, State College, PA).

Interestingly, the list included, for the first time ever, an emoticon: that perennial favorite of Facebook users everywhere, the <3, which is supposed to resemble a heart. "Just say the word instead of making me turn my head sideways and wondering what 'less than three' means," said Andrea Estrada of Chicago.

You can view the full list of banished words and phrases here.

And if LSSU gets to make a list, why don't I? Here's my compilation of a few more words and phrases that need to go:

Change: Okay, when a progressive candidate says it, it makes sense. But when a conservative candidate like, oh, I dunno, every single Republican who ran for president this past cycle, it makes less sense. The whole platform of the conservative movement is ANTI-change, and PRO-tradition. If you're for "change" and you're a Republican, you're in the wrong party.

[Name] the [Profession] (as in "Joe the Plumber"): Um, how is stating your profession somehow a vindication of your earnest folksiness? If I called myself "Philosophy the Writer," would people give a damn? McCain supporters flouted signs declaring their names and professions ("I'm Sam the Steelworker!") at rallies, and it made less sense than McCain's crazy campaign suspension in the midst of the financial crisis...especially since Joe the Plumber wasn't actually named Joe OR actually a plumber.

Vaycay (short for vacation): If one more person insists on abbreviating a word that isn't long or cumbersome in the first place, I might kill myself. If you can't take the time out to say or write the full word, you have more problems than your supposed shortage of time.

Historic (when used to describe the present day): I know I've been guilty of this one myself, but so many commentators and newscasters have used this word to describe certain events this year (the Democratic primary, the election of president-elect Obama, the recession, the Iraq War) that it's been getting a little ridiculous. Pardon me, but I thought things became truly "historical" when remembered from the FUTURE. We can't really know what events will be considered monumental unless we're looking back from the comfortable position of hindsight.

Joe Sixpack: NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER USE THIS TERM AGAIN. Somehow, Sarah Palin is under the impression that stereotyping working class people as drunken men with bland names is a flattering compliment. The working class people I know? Not so flattered.

What words would you add to the lists?