The University of Michigan publishes an annual list of banned words and phrases for 2021

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – While vaccines are being rolled out to fight the coronavirus, word manufacturers at Lake Superior State University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan say they want to remove any trace of the English language.

“COVID-19” and “social distancing” are thrown with “we’re all together,” “with great caution,” and “in these uncertain times” on the school’s cheerful list of banned words and phrases for 2021.

Of the more than 1,450 applications submitted to the school, about 250 words and terms suggested for exile due to overuse, misuse or uselessness had something to do with the virus.

Seven of the ten selected are connected to the virus, with “COVID-19” at the head. “Unprecedented,” which was banished in 2002, has been restored to the list.

“Certainly, COVID-19 is unprecedented in wreaking havoc and destroying lives,” committee members on the list of exiled words said in a statement on Thursday. “But so is overconfidence in ‘unprecedented’ to frame things, so it has to go, too.”

Sault Ste. Marie has compiled the list every year since 1976, saying that “it defends, protects and supports excellence in language by encouraging the avoidance of words and terms that are overworked, redundant, oxymoronic, clichés, illogical, absurd and, on the other hand, ineffective, disconcerting or irritating “.

So far, more than 1,000 words or phrases have formed the list. Nominations come from all over the United States and other countries.

Joining previous people such as “absolutely”, “BFF”, “covfefe” and “yuh know” are:

– COVID-19 (COVID, coronavirus, Rona). “A large number of candidates are clearly resentful of the virus and how it has surpassed our vocabulary,” the committee wrote. “As much as these words are socially and medically necessary or useful, the committee can’t help but wish we could banish them along with the virus.”

– Social distancing. “This phrase is useful because wearing a mask and keeping your distance has a big effect in preventing the spread of the infection,” members said. “But we would be lying if we said we were not prepared for that phrase to become ‘useless.’

– We are all in this together.

– With great caution (several sentences).

– In these uncertain times (several phrases).

– Pivot. “Reporters, commentators, speakers and other media people refer to how everyone should adapt to the coronavirus through contactless delivery, e-learning, sidewalk pickup, video conferencing, remote work and other urgent readjustments, ”the committee wrote. “It simply came to our notice then. But basketball players pivot; we continue like this ”.

– Unprecedented.

– Karen. “What began as an anti-racist critique of white women’s behavior in response to black and brown people has become a misogynistic umbrella term for criticizing women’s perceived hyperemotional behavior,” the committee said.

– Sus, short for “suspect.”

– Do I know?

“Real-world concerns are worrying word watchdogs this year, especially COVID-19, and that makes sense,” Lake Superior State President Rodney Hanley said in the statement. “In a small way, maybe this list will help ‘flatten the curve,’ which was also being considered for exile. We hope your ‘new normal’ (another candidate among the nominations) for next year it will no longer have to include this. “