The University of Michigan annually launches the word list, banned phrases for 2021

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Even though the vaccines are being launched to fight the coronavirus, spokesmen at Lake Superior State University in Michigan, Upper Peninsula, say they want to cast any trace of the English language.

“COVID-19” and “social distancing” are thrown with “we are all together”, “in an abundance of caution” and “in these uncertain times” on the easy list of forbidden words and phrases of the school for 2021.

Of the more than 1,450 nominations sent to the school, about 250 words and terms suggested for expulsion due to overuse, abuse or uselessness were related to the virus.

Seven of the 10 selected are connected to the virus, and “COVID-19” is the first. “Unprecedented”, which was ousted in 2002, was returned to the list.

“To be sure, COVID-19 is unprecedented in wreaking havoc and destroying lives,” members of the list of expelled words said in a statement on Thursday. “But so is the excessive reliance on ‘unprecedented’ to frame things, so it has to work.”

Sault Ste. Marie has compiled the list every year since 1976, saying that “it supports, protects and upholds excellence in language, encouraging the avoidance of words and terms that are overused, redundant, oxymoronic, cliché, illogical, meaningless – and otherwise inefficient, disconcerting or irritating.”

So far, more than 1,000 words or phrases have made the list. Nominations come from the US and other countries.

Adherence to certain employees, such as “absolute”, “BFF”, “covfefe” and “yuh know” are:

– COVID-19 (COVID, coronavirus, Rona). “A large number of nominees are clearly resentful of the virus and how it has overtaken our vocabulary,” the committee wrote. “No matter how socially and medically necessary or useful these words are, the committee cannot help but wish we could drive them away with the virus itself.”

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

– We’re in this together.

– In an abundance of caution (various expressions).

– In these uncertain times (various expressions).

– Pivot. “Reporters, commentators, speakers and others in the media are referring to how everyone needs to adapt to coronavirus through contactless delivery, e-learning, on-boarding, video conferencing, distance working and other urgent readjustments.” the committee wrote. “Everything is true and vital. But basketball players are pivoting; to keep it that way ”.

– 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 supra-emotional behavior,” the committee said.

– Above, short for “suspect.”

– It is not like that?

“Real-world concerns are a concern for guard dogs this year, primarily COVID-19, and that makes sense,” Lake Superior State President Rodney Hanley said in a statement. In a small way, maybe this list will help to “flatten the curve”, which has also been considered for chase. We’re confident that your “new normal” – another nominee competitor – won’t have to include that for next year. “