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(Journalist)
– Even as vaccines are being deployed to fight COVID-19, word-smiths at Lake Superior State University in Michigan say they want to wipe out all traces of the term from the English language. Seven of the best words or phrases selected for 2021 for the School’s Annual Lightweight Compilation of Banned Words and Phrases are related to the virus, with “COVID-19” leading the way. “Unprecedented”, which was banned in 2002, has been reinstated on the list, according to the AP. “Coronavirus” and “social distancing” are added, as well as “we are all in the same boat”, “very cautiously” and “in these uncertain times”. 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.
“Certainly, COVID-19 is unprecedented in wreaking havoc and destroying lives,” members of the banned words list committee said in a statement on Thursday. “But so does the over-reliance on the ‘unprecedented’ to frame things, so you have to go, too.” The school in Sault Ste. Marie has compiled the list every year since 1976 to “maintain, protect and support excellence in language by encouraging to avoid overloaded, redundant, oxymoronic, cliché, illogical, absurd – and otherwise ineffective, confusing or irritating words and terms. . Words and phrases unrelated to the viruses that made the top cut include ‘pivot’, ‘Karen’, ‘sus’ (short for ‘suspect’) and ‘I know, right?’ “To a small extent this list may help ‘flatten the curve’, which was also under consideration for the ban,” LSSU Chairman Rodney Hanley said in a statement. “We are confident that your “new normal” – another nominee among the nominations – for next year will no longer have to include that. “
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