For instance, if you had asked me a year ago what a ‘brat summer’ was, I would have been clueless. However, by October 2024, ‘brat’ was named Collins Dictionary’s ‘word of the year’.
The term was previously used to describe a misbehaving child, but it now refers to ‘characterized by a confident and independent attitude’, as reported by BBC News, following the release of Charli XCX’s acclaimed album with the same name.
Although ‘brat’ is here to stay, several words are being prohibited this year as part of Lake Superior State University’s annual banishment list.
This humorous tradition goes back to 1976.
Lake Superior State President, Dr. David Travis, remarked about this year’s list: “Words matter! Old habits can be hard to break and we’re happy to serve as a resource for the court of public opinion on what should continue to be part of the English language and what needs to be put to rest.”
As per LSSU, the term ‘cringe’ has ‘overstayed its welcome’ and its effect has been ‘dulled’ over time.
One individual commented on the word: “Hearing someone say ‘someone is so cringe’ makes me cringe!”
Many parents might have heard their children using this phrase and just when they learned how to incorporate it into conversations, it’s back to the beginning as ‘game changer’ is officially out.
“Nothing is a game changer if everything is a game changer,” someone commented on the overuse of the term, making a valid point.
The usage of ‘dropped’ in reference to releasing something like an album or new product is reportedly no longer acceptable, according to LSSU.
An argument was made for its banishment due to ‘overuse, misuse, abuse, and hurting my head when all that “dropping” stuff lands on me’.
In the wake of Taylor Swift’s record-setting Eras Tour, people are weary of hearing (and using) the word. Apologies to Swifties!
A popular phrase among today’s youth that’s usually accompanied by a pair of eyes emoji.
Urban Dictionary offers several definitions of the phrase, with a particularly favorite being: “Secret melodramatic girl language; used to cite drama, inside jokes, and the stirring of pots.”
Although this phrase was new to me at 28, it’s said that ‘skibidi’ can mean something is cool, bad, or dumb, depending on the usage, as reported by NBC Chicago.
Fortunately, I don’t need to learn how or when to use this phrase since it’s now reportedly banned. Relief.
This isn’t a reference to the popular 2017 Demi Lovato song, but rather the expression itself.
An opponent of ‘sorry not sorry’ argued that it gives individuals an excuse ‘to be jerks to one another’.
People often say they are ‘100%’ in agreement when they are completely on board with a proposed plan, for instance. However, LSSU is 100% sure that this term should be discontinued for 2025.
With ‘utilize’ making it onto the list of banned words this year, frequent users are encouraged to ‘write like you talk’.
Perhaps just utilize the classic word ‘use’ instead?
It’s suggested that you don’t need to say ‘period’ to emphasize your point. After all, we don’t use verbal punctuation elsewhere, do we. Question mark.