It Is What It Is: University Releases List of Overused Words, Phrases

by Staff
1.8.08

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula recently released its thirty-third annual list of "Words Banished From the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse, and General Uselessness." The list, which former LSSU public relations director Bill Rabe and his colleagues created in 1975 as a lighthearted commentary on linguistic pet peeves, is compiled each year from thousands of nominations received through the university's Web site. This year's list of banned words and phrases includes "perfect storm," "Webinar" (a seminar on the Web), "waterboarding," "organic," "back in the day," and "it is what it is."

For this year's complete list, visit LSSU's Web site.