tech
January 1, 2026
Can you guess 6-7 words that have made the 50th annual "Banished Words List"?
Respondents to an annual Michigan college survey of overused and misused words and phrases say "6-7" is "cooked" and should come to a massive full-stop heading into the new year.
TL;DR
- Lake Superior State University released its 50th annual 'Banished Words List'.
- '6-7' was named the top overused and misused phrase for the upcoming year.
- The list received around 1,400 submissions from all 50 states and several countries.
- Other words and phrases on the top 10 list include 'cooked,' 'demure,' 'incentivize,' 'perfect,' 'gift/gifted,' 'my bad,' and 'reach out.'
- The list reflects current fad and vernacular trends, with social media's influence on word misuse noted.
- '6-7,' a trend particularly popular with Gen Z, is described as nonsensical and driven by social media.
- Previous top banished words include 'quid pro quo' (2019) and 'fake news' (2017).
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