Hissy Fit - February 2026 - Banished Words: 2026 Top 10 List • What is No. 1

February 2026 Issue
by Elizabeth Skenes Millen

It’s only January, and I’m already saying enough is enough.
But when is enough actually enough? 
I’m not sure how it happens that certain words gain popularity and become annoying, overused, misused and sometimes, just plain cringy. For example, I cannot stand to hear the  term “baby bump”.
To me, it is completely degrading and makes my skin crawl.

Last year, there was a fad of saying “six-seven”. I didn’t know it existed until grown adults said it over and over at a family Christmas gathering this year. This may be a record, because it made me roll my eyes the very first time I heard it, mainly because of the accompanying hand gestures and the complete irrelevance and lack of value. It was and is an archetype for a waste of words, and that is why it is the No.1 banished word of 2026. In other words, it is done. Never say it again.

I’m not alone in recoiling in distaste over such an assault of both the English language and intelligence, in general. In fact, people have been fed up with trendy words that become irritating “viral” sensations for 50 years in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, which calls for a golden anniversary celebration. Celebrating five decades of linguistic commentary, Lake Superior State University (LSSU) presented its 50th Annual Banished Words List on January 1, 2026, a tradition highlighting the importance and evolution of language. (By the way, the word “viral” needs to go. Isn’t there a vaccine for this?)

According to lssu.edu, what began as a whimsical New Year’s Eve party idea in 1976, has grown into a global reflection on words that wear out their welcome. Since former public relations director W.T. (Bill) Rabe showcased the first “List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English because of mis-, mal-, over-use, or general uselessness,” LSSU has carried the torch.

The entries continue a tongue-in-cheek commentary on language, catchphrases, and corporate jargon. Over 1,400 submissions were entrusted to LSSU this year, pouring in from all 50 U.S. states, and as far as Uzbekistan, Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, and many more.

Here’s this year’s Top 10 golden class
of banishments and rationale:

6-7 “There are six or seven reasons why this phrase needs to be stopped,” says Paul E. from Wisconsin. The volume of submissions for this one could have taken up the whole list, at least slots 6-7. The top banishment this year, Scott T. from Utah adds, “it’s time for “6-7” to be 86’ed.”

Demure “It’s very said more than very done, and we’re all very done hearing it!” remarks Tammy S. Often used in the phrase ‘very demure, very mindful,’ Madison C. shares that the overuse “waters down the real meaning.”

Cooked “Hearing it…my brain feels ‘cooked,’” groans Zac A. from Virginia. Parents and guardians led the charge on this one. James C. from Washington suggests a ban of “all forms of the word cook,” hoping that hearing them will become rare.

Massive “Way overused! (often incorrectly),” exclaim Don and Gail K. from Minnesota. This word’s massive overuse has secured its place on this year’s list.

Incentivize In the longstanding effort to turn nouns into verbs, this is another culprit. Two separate submissions likened hearing this word to “nails on a chalkboard.” Patricia from Texas asks, “What’s wrong with motivate?”

Full stop “For the same reason ‘period’ was banished…redundant punctuation,” explains Marybeth A. from Oregon.

Perfect “There are very few instances when the word actually applies,” notes Jo H. from California.

Gift/gifted (as a verb) “I found this on the 1994 list, but it will make me feel better to recommend that it be included once again,” reveals James S. from Oklahoma. Another case of a noun being used as a verb.

My Bad In the 1998 banishment, Elizabeth P. from Michigan suggested, “students and adults sound infantile when using this to apologize.” The phrase hasn’t matured in credibility since then. Andrea R. from Ohio shared, “It does not convey much meaning in the way of an apology.”

Reach Out First banished in 1994, this saying has strayed from the positive message it once intended to deliver. “What started as a phrase with emotional support overtones has now become absurdly overused,” asserts Kevin B. from the United Kingdom.

And there’s more fun to come! The 50 years of lists have shown one thing: sometimes one placement just isn’t enough. To commemorate this golden milestone, LSSU looked back at some “Repeat Offenders” that have received multiple banishments.

Repeat Offenders: Words That Refused to Stay Banished

Absolutely (1996, 2023): A favorite nomination of WXYT listeners in 1996. That proved not to be enough. A 2023 submission called the word “The current default to express agreement.” Will it try for a hat-trick? Absolutely.

At the End of the Day (1999, 2022, 2024): In 1999, Mike M. said the phrase was used by “political pundits,” while Randall H. attributed it to “Hollywood types.” This phrase has the unique distinction of triple-banishment.

Awesome (1984, 2007): Elnora V. set the tone for the initial banishment, sharing “I find it preposterous to believe that all these writers are observing truly awesome events on such a widespread scale.” It returned to the list in 2007, with folks from as far as Thailand calling it “overused and meaningless.”

Game Changer (2009, 2025): The 2009 banishment quoted Cynthia saying, “It’s game OVER for this cliché, which gets overused in the news media, political arenas and in business.” This “game over” would include another banishment in 2025, with Patrick from Washington, DC commenting, “nothing is a game changer if everything is a game changer.”

And in case you were wondering, the ever-annoying corporate jargon of onboarding, unpack, curate, narrative and think outside-the-box have all been on the banished list in varying years. And, drum roll, baby bump was a goner in 2012!

LSSU’s Banished Words List has served as a reminder that language is always evolving. And that’s why I no longer say “like, cool, or man” in every sentence like I did in middle school. Not only does language evolve, fortunately so do we.

What are some of your cringeworthy words? If a word or phrase truly makes you roll your eyes every time you hear it, be sure to nominate it for the 2027 Banished Words List at lssu.edu/traditions/banishedwords. You can scroll through the archives of banished words through the years there, as well. It makes for “awesome” dinner conversation. Have fun, and please don’t say “baby bump”.