There is much I’d like to see banished already this year: One-handed typing. Pin removal sans local. The layers of dead skin revealed when my bandage came off. At least that last part I can do something about since I can finally get my arm wet (hallelujah!). Though now I have a wrist splint in addition to the brace, and physical therapy is soon to start.

I’m living a wild life full of adventure here. I mean, c’mon, I’m so nerdy I get excited about lists of words and phrases people would like to see take a long walk off a short pier.

Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., released its “List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness” for 2025 on New Year’s Day (though I guess that should be King’s English now; that’s the original name from its first incarnation in 1976), and the list is, as expected, cringe-worthy, which was on last year’s list.

That definitely describes the first word, “cringe” without the “-worthy.” We’re not talking about how it’s usually used, as a verb, but as an adjective. “While ‘cringe’ once packed a punch,” the university wrote, “it has now overstayed its welcome. Overuse has dulled its impact, and ironically, using it might now cause the very reaction it describes. ‘Saying someone caused you to cringe or stating that you cringed at something is a pretty easy and proper way to use the word,’ writes Ash from Newton, Ala. ‘Hearing someone say someone is so cringe makes me cringe!’”

Me too, Ash. Then again, I’m Gen X and apparently old.

“Game changer” also received walking orders from the university. “How many times can a game change before it is no longer recognizable? This phrase, often used to describe anything remotely innovative, is as tired as a well-worn cliché,” wrote the university. As Syndrome cackled in “The Incredibles,” “When everyone is super, no one will be.” Game changer has been used so much that it no longer has any real meaning. Let it die.

“Era” was another word deemed past its use-by date. The university wrote, “Unless you are Taylor Swift, it might be time to leave ‘era’ behind. The term’s overuse has made every fleeting moment feel like it demands a historical marker. Leah of Holland, Mich., submits, ‘Thanks to the name of Taylor Swift’s tour, now there is an ‘era’ for everyone and everything! ‘He’s in his fatherhood era,’ ‘She’s in her pottery-making era,’ etc., etc. It’s overused and tiring.’”

My word-nerdiness needs no historical marker. It’s who I am, no “era” needed.

“Dropped” is another word deserving to be dropped. We hear it all the time in relation to music, books and other products when they’re being released. It’s not cool (was it ever, really?), especially when someone my age uses it unless we’re talking about that heavy candle that just dropped from the shelf, nearly hitting my head (true story). Susan of Littleton, Colo., told the university, “Books, music, and all kinds of unnecessary things are currently being ‘dropped’ rather than introduced, released, or offered for sale. Banished for overuse, misuse, abuse, and hurting my head when all that ‘dropping’ stuff lands on me!”

Internet slang and texting abbreviations nearly always land a spot on the list. This time it’s “IYKYK (If You Know, You Know).” The university wrote, “Cryptic and exclusionary, this phrase offers little clarity or substance. If you know, you might agree it is time to let this one go.”

Please, take ICYMI (in case you missed it) with you!

“Skibidi,” I have to admit, is one I didn’t really hear (I don’t hang out all day on the Internet, for one thing), but yes, toss it, please. Wrote the university, “This viral word may have resonated with a younger crowd, but for many it is just noise. Agatha from Denmark explains, ‘Nobody cares about a Skibidi toilet, Skibidi fizz, or Skibidi Ohio fanum tax. At this point, nobody even knows what it means and it just annoys people.’”

It certainly annoyed me. I tried. I really tried to watch some of the stuff that came up when I typed in skibidi, but it all looks like a 12-year-old did it mid-Fortnite sessions. It’s surreal and nonsensical, and not in a fun way. Yeesh.

I know a lot of copy editors were screaming “yes!” when “utilize” showed up on the list. It’s not how people actually talk, and just adds extra letters and syllables when “use” conveys the same meaning. Make an editor happy, whydoncha?

Who are you trying to impress by using “utilize” anyway? Little tip: They don’t care.

Other words and phrases on this year’s list were “sorry not sorry” (Basically, don’t be a jerk. The university noted, “A half-hearted apology masquerading as bold honesty, this phrase feels as disingenuous as it sounds. Banished Word enthusiasts recommend  just saying what you mean or in at least one case showing a little kindness.”), “100 percent” (usually not applicable in many of the ways it’s over-used), and “period” (there’s no need to verbally punctuate).

I’m sure it won’t take long for other words and phrases to get on our collective last nerve. If you want to submit one, go here.

The university was sure to note in its press release that its banishment work is all in good fun, and meant to help. “Each year, this lighthearted list shines a spotlight on words and terms that are overused, misused, or simply unnecessary. It offers a moment to laugh, pause, and consider how we can be more mindful of the language we use every day.

“’Words matter! Old habits can be hard to break and we’re happy to serve as a resource for the court of public opinion on what should continue to be part of the English language and what needs to be put to rest,’ says Lake Superior State President Dr. David Travis.” 

Some of you (I can guess who, and most of them hang out on the newspaper’s comment board all day) are probably saying, in light of my delight over this list each year, “Hey, word nerd, shouldn’t you love all words?”

Uh, no. While I’m not a grammar snob by any means (I deal with conversational grammar, which is looser, but still concerned with making sure proper meaning is related), there are words and phrases that irritate me no end, especially those that are misused, overused … and just freakin’ annoying, to be honest. No one can love everything, and words are no different. I know I’m not alone in that, as so many of you have told me.

Word nerds have to stick together! It’s us against the troglodytes and trolls.