Lists of ‘overused' words and phrases of 2009 released


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SALT LAKE CITY -- In the news business, this is the time of year for "look-backs" of the big stories, the unusual things that went on, and the happy and not-so-happy events.

News agencies all over the world come up with their year-end lists. So, on this last day of 2009, we have a list of words and phrases that have become popular, and in some cases too popular.

We certainly remember these:

  • "You lie!" -- shouted by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson at President Obama during a presidential address to Congress.
  • "We're gonna be in the Hudson" -- calmly stated by U.S. Airways Capt. Chesley Sullenberger shortly before making a water landing in the Hudson River after both engines failed
  • "There's an app for that" -- coined by Apple to use in promoting applications made for its popular iPhone.

**Top Quotes of 2009**
4. You lie 3. There's an app for that 2. We're going to be in the Hudson 1. Keep your government hands off my Medicare - *[The Yale Book of Quotations](http://yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/book.asp?isbn=9780300107982)*
All three are some of the year's most popular, and perhaps overused, phrases as assembled in this year's "Yale Book of Quotations." Also examining our linguistic utterances are the folks at Lake Superior State University. For 35 years now, they've compiled lists of words and phrases that are overused and/or misused, which they say deserve to be banned. There are some good one's this year!

"Shovel-ready" was used and used in 2009 by just about anyone who was discussing our economic stimulus plan. In fact, the university even included the word "stimulus" on its list.

**2010 List of Banished Words**
• Shovel-ready • Transparent/transparency • Czar • Tweet • App • Sexting • Friend as a verb • Teachable moment • In these economic times… • Stimulus • Toxic assets • Too big to fail • Bromance • Chillaxin' • Obama-prefix or roots - *[Lake Superior State University](http://www.lssu.edu/banished/current.php)*
"In these economic times" also made the list -- and in full disclosure, I've used that term myself in many of my stories this past year! Technology generated words that became ubiquitous in 2009:

  • "sexting" -- sending explicit photos and text messages on a cell phone
  • "Tweet," and all its variations -- used in connection with the Twitter social-networking site.
  • "friend" -- The university doesn't like the fact that the word "friend" has become a verb, particularly on Facebook, as in: "I just ‘friended' that person."

And then there's the Obama "prefix" phenomenon, as compiled by this year's Oxford Dictionary. There's "Obamanonics," "Obamanation," "Obamacare," and "Obamalicious."

Finally, back to Yale's No. 1 quote of the past year, shouted by a man at a health care town hall meeting: "Keep your government hands off my Medicare"!

Also making the list of overused words and phrases: "toxic assets," "too big to fail," and one that sounds really good after a rough day: "chillaxin."

Can't wait to hear what we'll all be saying over and over in 2010!

CLICK HERE to read which overused words KSL.com users feel must go.

E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com

Tell us which word or words you believe must go:

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