Annual 2003 List of Banished Words

Lake Superior State University - Michigan ^ | 12/31/2003 | Tom Pink

[visagoth]

Dang - still no "At the End of the Day...."

[al baby]

Hugh & Series

[Miss Marple]

Nor "quagmire."

Pfui.

[new cruelty]

“Has anyone yet died a timely death?” asks Donald Burgess of South Pasadena, California.

Kevorkian might say yes.

[Xenalyte]

That's up there with all those brutal murders we hear so much about.

[kingu]

Kevorkian is on his way right now to help Donald make a timely crossing over.

[southernnorthcarolina]

Somewhat related to "untimely death" is "massive heart attack," as in "Mr. Smith died of a massive heart attack." Wouldn't it be a bummer to die of a minor heart attack?

[ErnBatavia]

"At this particular point in time"....I always find it simpler to say "now".

[Atlas Sneezed]

How about:

"left (or right) hand ____"

As in: "there is an accident in the left-hand lane of the expressway."

It's the left lane, or right side, or whatever.

Why not "left-eared lane" or "right-testicle turn"?

[Jaded]

Untimely death, like premature death is lawyerspeak for 'I can sue you for more money'.

[Atlas Sneezed]

BLACK ICE -- From the weather and news reports. Ice is ice. Watch your step.

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Good one. In the 1960s and 70s in a cold icy northern state, I never once heard the term. But in a whiny left coast state with only occasionally icy roads, and they use this silly hyperbolic term for ordinary ice the driver failed to see.

[Jerrybob]

Let's not forget "firearms related deaths" and "semi-automatic weapon(s)".

[Atlas Sneezed]

BRANDING -- Can’t we just say ‘Promotions and PR?’

---

The brief word is clear and efficient.

[JohnnyZ]

YOU'RE FROM WAPPINGERS FALLS?????? One of my best friends is from there.

I don't think this list is great, but at least it's something Lake Superior State does better than hockey.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

“Has anyone yet died a timely death?” asks Donald Burgess of South Pasadena, California.

Whenever the reigning "oldest person in the world" dies I think it probably qualifies as a "timely death".

[anonymous_user]

Just an FYI - Followed by some statement "for my information." Translation: Basically, I'm telling you this so I can completely forget about it. As in, "Just an FYI, the TPS reports are due next week. I'm off to play golf."

There's the even MORE annoying and redundant and annoying Just an FYI for you...

I worked with a lady that started every third sentence with that phrase. *grate* *grate* *grate*...

[Atlas Sneezed]

HAVING SAID THAT and THAT SAID

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"However" is a fine alternative to these.

That said, sometimes one doesn't always want quite the strength of contrast that "however" connotes.

[Dont Mention the War]

“What happened to the Department of Defense?” asks Rick Miller of Champaign, Illinois.

Is the phrase "Posse Comitatus Act" on your personal list of banished words, Rick, you dips---?