Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in Michigan has announced that the viral phrase ‘6–7’ will top its 2026 Banished Words List. This annual tradition, now in its 50th year, aims to highlight words and expressions that have overstayed their welcome, transforming from clever language into irritating clichés. The initiative began during a New Year’s Eve gathering in 1976 and has since grown into a global event, inviting contributions from around the world.
This year, LSSU received over 1,400 nominations from across all 50 US states and numerous countries, including Uzbekistan, Brazil, Japan, and the UK. The volume of submissions reflects the strong sentiments people hold about the phrases they encounter in everyday conversations. University officials sift through the nominations, creating a final list that balances humor with cultural significance.
Top Offenders and Linguistic Trends
Leading the charge is the shorthand ‘6–7’, which has permeated texts, tweets, and casual dialogue. Nominators expressed their frustration with this phrase, highlighting its vagueness and redundancy. Paul E. from Wisconsin remarked, “There are six or seven reasons why this phrase needs to be stopped,” while Scott T. from Utah called for its removal, using diner slang to advocate for a ban.
The list also includes other phrases that have been deemed excessive or annoying. The word ‘demure’, currently popular on TikTok, was criticized for being overused, losing its original meaning of modesty. As Tammy S. pointed out, it has become “very said more than very done.” Additionally, the term ‘cooked’, which denotes feeling overwhelmed, garnered complaints from parents, with James C. from Washington calling for a complete ban on all variants of the word.
Other phrases under scrutiny include ‘massive’, deemed overused by Don and Gail K. from Minnesota, and corporate jargon like ‘incentivize’, which Patricia from Texas found unnecessarily convoluted. The phrase ‘full stop’ was also mentioned, considered redundant after similar phrases have been previously banned.
Returning and Recurrent Offenders
As part of its 50th anniversary, LSSU revisited previously banned terms. ‘Absolutely’, which was last banned in 2023, has returned, now criticized for being a lazy substitute for agreement. ‘At the end of the day’ has achieved a rare triple ban status, with complaints stemming from its frequent use in media commentary.
Other terms making a comeback include ‘awesome’, which has been criticized for its application to mundane occurrences, and ‘game changer’, noted for its overuse to the point of losing meaning. Observers like Cynthia have highlighted that if everything is labeled a “game changer,” then nothing truly is.
Over the decades, the Banished Words List has evolved from a lighthearted exercise into a significant cultural commentary. Founded by W.T. (Bill) Rabe, the initiative has become a platform for thousands to express their frustrations with language that has become dull or annoying. By keeping the conversation alive, LSSU encourages a vibrant linguistic landscape that values clarity and creativity.
As the 2026 ban list takes shape, it not only reflects public sentiment but also serves as a reminder that language is ever-evolving. The collective effort to identify and eliminate these phrases ensures that communication remains effective and engaging, avoiding the pitfalls of overused jargon.
