University of Michigan releases annual list of banned words and phrases for 2021

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Even as vaccines are being rolled out to fight the coronavirus, artisans at Lake Superior State University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula say they want to remove all traces of it from the English language.

“COVID-19” and “social distancing” are associated with “we’re all in the same boat”, “very cautiously” and “in these uncertain times” on the country’s light list of prohibited words and phrases. school for 2021.

Out of more than 1,450 applications sent to the school, around 250 suggested words and terms for banning due to overuse, abuse, or unnecessary use had something to do with the virus.

Seven of the 10 selected are linked to the virus, with “COVID-19” in mind. “Unprecedented”, which was banned in 2002, has been reinstated on the list.

“Certainly, COVID-19 is unprecedented in terms of the devastation and destruction of lives,” members of the banned words list committee said in a statement on Thursday. “But the same goes for the over-reliance on ‘unprecedented’ to frame things, so that has to go, too.”

The school in Sault Ste. Marie has compiled the list every year since 1976, she says to “maintain, protect and sustain excellence in language by encouraging avoiding overloaded, redundant, oxymoronic, cliché, illogical, absurd – and otherwise ineffective words and terms,” confusing, or irritating. “

So far, over 1,000 words or phrases have made the list. Nominations come from across the United States and a number of other countries.

Former inductees such as “absolutely”, “BFF”, “covfefe” and “you know” are:

– COVID-19 (COVID, coronavirus, Rona). “A lot of the proponents are clearly irritated by the virus and how it has gone beyond our vocabulary,” the committee wrote. “No matter the necessity or the social and medical usefulness of these words, the committee cannot help but wish that we could banish them along with the virus itself.

– Social distancing. “This phrase is useful because wearing a mask and keeping your distance has a huge effect in preventing the spread of infection,” the members said. “But we would be lying if we said we weren’t ready for this phrase to become ‘useless’.”

– We’re all in the same boat.

– With great caution (various formulations).

– In these uncertain times (various formulations).

– Pivot. “Journalists, commentators, talking heads and other media representatives refer to how everyone must adapt to the coronavirus through contactless delivery, virtual learning, curbside pickup. street, videoconferencing, remote working and other urgent readjustments, ”the committee wrote. “All of this is true and vital. But the basketball players pivot; let’s keep it that way. “

– Unprecedented.

– Karen. “What began as an anti-racist critique of white women’s behavior in response to blacks and browns has become a misogynistic umbrella term to criticize the perceived excessive behavior of women,” the committee said.

– Sus, abbreviation of “suspect”.

– Is not it?

“The real world is about concerned watchdogs this year, COVID-19 first and foremost, and that makes sense,” Lake Superior State President Rodney Hanley said in the statement. “In a way, maybe this list will help ‘flatten the curve’, which was also being considered for the ban. We are confident that your “new normal” – another candidate among the nominations – for next year will no longer have to include this. “