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Phrases, Words to be Banished in 2013: YOLO, Even Words

The annual list of words and phrases recommended to be banished from English language has been unleashed. Do you agree or disagree with the following dirty dozen?

Those who just made or confirmed a new "bucket list" for the New Year may have to come up with something else to call it. That's because the phrase "bucket list" ended up on the 38th annual List of Words to be Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness.

This annual list was released Monday by Lake Superior State University, Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment of 3,000 students. It is known for its academic programs such as fisheries and wildlife management, engineering, nursing, criminal justice, fire science and business management.

Here's the new Words of Banishment List

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  1. Fiscal Cliff
  2. Kick the Can Down the Road
  3. Double Down
  4. Jobs Creators/Creation
  5. Passion/Passionate
  6. YOLO
  7. Spoiler Alert
  8. Bucket List
  9. Trending
  10. Superfood
  11. Boneless Wings
  12. Guru

John Prokop of Oakland, CA, sent the university a list of nearly four dozen words, phrases and acronyms that reportedly “bug the heck” out of him. Most of those he mentioned are on this list or have been on previous lists, according to the university's website.

The university accepts nominations for the banished-words list throughout the year. To submit your nomination for the 2014 list, click here. Check out the compiled list for nominations already banished.

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The first banished-words list was dreamed up by Lake Superior State University public relations director W.T. (Bill) Rabe and a group of friends at a New Year's Eve party in 1975, according to the university's online accounting of the effort. In 1977, one year after Rabe released the first "banished words list," he said the international reaction from news media and the public told him "it would go on forever."

A university spokesperson told an Associated Press reporter approximately 900 words or phrases have been "banished" in the last four decades.


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