We all have words and phrases we hate; in fact, our Dec. 1 post about it generated more comments than any other post we’ve written.
Well, as I was reading the Boston Globe recently (yes, I still read a real newspaper, delivered to my porch each morning by a real paper boy), I came across an article that warmed my heart.
Turns out we have an ally with Lake Superior State University, which annually publishes a “List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.”
Not surprisingly, buzzwords about the economy and the environment made up about half the list. The Palin family was responsible for the rest. Here are a few of our favorites, including the feedback they inspired.
GREEN
If I see one more corporation declare itself ‘green,’ I’m going to start burning tires in my backyard.
–Ed Hardiman, Bristow, Va.
(Hey Ed, check out Boston’s Down to Earth expo this April to see companies that are truly green … uh, sustainable.)
MAVERICK
You know it’s time to banish this word when even the Maverick family, who descended from the rancher who inspired the term, says it’s being mis-used.
–Scott Urbanowski, Kentwood, Mich.
FIRST DUDE (paging Mr. Palin)
Skateboard English is not an appropriate way to refer to the spouse of a high-ranking public official.
–Paul Ruschmann, Canton, Mich.
WALL STREET/MAIN STREET
I know that with the “Wall Street” collapse, the comparison is convenient, but really, let’s find another way to talk about everyman or the middle class, or even, heaven forbid, “Joe the Plumber.“
–Stacey, Knoxville, Tenn.
DESPERATE SEARCH
Every time the news can’t find something intelligent to report, they start on a “desperate search” for someone, somewhere.
–Rick A. Hyatt, Saratoga, Wyo.
So what words from 2009 would you put on the list?
