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If you think any of these words are “cringe,” you better check yourself. It’s one of the words on the list.
Lake Superior State kicked off the year with their annual words and phrases they’d like to BANISH from our vocabulary. (They released it on January 1st, but it’s just making the rounds now.)
It’s the 49th year they’ve done it.
Here are the ten words and terms they want us to ditch in 2025 . . .
1. Cringe. It’s overused. So saying “cringe” can SEEM cringe now.
2. Game changer. Again, people use it too much, and for things that aren’t really a big deal.
3. Era. Used to describe a new phase of your life. Blame Taylor Swift.
4. Dropped. Like, “My new album just dropped.” They think words like “released” and “introduced” should make a comeback.
5. IYKYK. Short for “If You Know, You Know.” They say it’s “irritating and nonsensical.” It also just seems forced.
6. Sorry not sorry. They say it’s a “half-hearted apology masquerading as bold honesty.” Just say what you mean.
7. Skibidi. Even Gen Alpha can’t agree on it. It can mean cool, bad, dumb, or it can mean nothing. It’s just a filler word.
8. 100%. Like, “I agree with you 100%.” It’s been overused for too many years.
9. Utilize. Stop trying to sound smart. Just say “use.”
10. Period. Like, “It’s the best show on TV, period.” Quote, “overuse has turned this into a period we are ready to end.”
(Some of their words from last year have definitely been in decline. Their list a year ago included “rizz,” “slay,” and “side hustle.”)
