Banned words of 2009!
Dec. 31st, 2008 12:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elfsLSU has released its annual list of "banned words" of 2009, the tired, worn-out phrases that make us sick to hear one more time. The list contains the expected and the obvious: "green," "carbon footprint," "maverick," "bailout", "game changer," "iconic."
Some I disagree with. "Staycation" is dumb, so dumb that it dropped out of sight and can hardly be considered "worn out." The same is true of "first dude."
Let me add my own word to the list.
"Embolden."
No word has become more overused and tiresome than "emboldened." During the 2008 election, we saw "emboldened" used over and over to create fear of one party or the other, one candidate or the other. Campaign rhetoric would "embolden the enemy," policy proposals might "embolden the opposition," or a poor marketing campaign might "embolden the competition."
I will be satisified if, in 2009, we instead either "encourage" or "irritate" others, and not worry too much about how bold they might feel as a result of our actions.
Some I disagree with. "Staycation" is dumb, so dumb that it dropped out of sight and can hardly be considered "worn out." The same is true of "first dude."
Let me add my own word to the list.
"Embolden."
No word has become more overused and tiresome than "emboldened." During the 2008 election, we saw "emboldened" used over and over to create fear of one party or the other, one candidate or the other. Campaign rhetoric would "embolden the enemy," policy proposals might "embolden the opposition," or a poor marketing campaign might "embolden the competition."
I will be satisified if, in 2009, we instead either "encourage" or "irritate" others, and not worry too much about how bold they might feel as a result of our actions.
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no subject
Date: 2008-12-31 08:56 pm (UTC)"...at the end of the day, ..."
"socialist"
"communist"
"capitalist society"
"hockey mom"
"pitbull"
"my friends"
"Christian nation"
no subject
Date: 2009-01-01 12:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-01 03:37 am (UTC)Field dress
Spunky
Lame duck (well, actually it wasn't so much of a lame duck during that shoe incident)
no subject
Date: 2009-01-01 04:57 am (UTC)