New Year’s Dishonor List Day

New Year’s Dishonor List Day is observed on January 1. This unique observance focuses on the English language by identifying and “banishing” words and phrases that have become overused, misused, or generally useless over the past year. While most people are making resolutions to improve their fitness or finances, word enthusiasts use this day to resolve to speak and write with more clarity and creativity by avoiding linguistic clichés.

History of New Year’s Dishonor List Day

The tradition began in 1976 at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. W.T. Rabe, the university’s public relations director at the time, came up with the idea during a New Year’s Eve party with colleagues. He released the first “List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness” on New Year’s Day, hoping to generate some press during a slow news cycle. The response from the media and the public was immediate and enthusiastic, turning a clever publicity stunt into an annual international event.

Since its inception, the university has received tens of thousands of nominations from people around the world who are frustrated by trendy buzzwords and repetitive jargon. A dedicated committee reviews these submissions throughout the year to select the final ten entries for the official list. Over the decades, the list has documented the rise and fall of various cultural trends, banishing everything from “détente” in the 1970s to internet slang like “selfie” and “twerk” in more recent years. The university even maintains a digital archive of every word ever banished to serve as a historical record of evolving speech patterns.

Why is New Year’s Dishonor List Day important?

This observance highlights the dynamic nature of the English language and how quickly certain terms can lose their meaning through excessive repetition. When a word like “iconic” or “game-changer” is applied to every mundane event or product, it loses its original impact and precision. By calling attention to these “tired” words, the day encourages people to expand their vocabularies and find more accurate ways to express their thoughts. It serves as a lighthearted check on the influence of marketing and social media on daily communication.

The list also provides a fascinating reflection of the year’s social and political climate. Words related to technology, global events, and generational shifts often dominate the nominations, showing what topics were most discussed and, eventually, over-discussed. It offers a moment for society to laugh at its own linguistic habits while promoting the idea that words have value and should be used intentionally. The tradition fosters a global conversation about language standards and the importance of maintaining a clear, effective means of sharing information between different cultures.

• The holiday protects the integrity of the English language by discouraging the use of redundant phrases.
• It provides a historical record of popular slang and buzzwords from the last five decades.
• The event encourages people to think critically about the media and advertisements they consume.
• It supports educators by highlighting common errors in word usage and grammar.
• The observance promotes the use of a diverse and descriptive vocabulary in professional settings.

How to Celebrate New Year’s Dishonor List Day

Celebrating this day starts with reviewing the current year’s banished list to see if you are guilty of using any of the “dishonored” terms. Common examples for recent years include words like “cringe,” “era,” and “utilize,” which often replace simpler or more accurate descriptions. Once you identify these linguistic habits, you can make a personal resolution to swap them out for more specific alternatives. For instance, instead of saying something is a “game-changer,” you might describe exactly how it is innovative or effective.

You can also participate by submitting your own nominations to Lake Superior State University for the following year’s list. Look for words in news articles, social media posts, or office meetings that seem to have lost their original luster or are being used incorrectly. Many people enjoy hosting small “word-banishing” parties where guests share their pet peeves about certain phrases and vote on which ones they want to stop hearing. Using a thesaurus to find fresh synonyms is another practical way to honor the spirit of the day and refresh your communication style for the new year.

• Read the official annual list to see which words have been designated for banishment.
• Submit a nomination for a word or phrase that you find particularly annoying or overused.
• Audit your own emails and social media posts to remove unnecessary jargon.
• Challenge friends to a game where everyone tries to avoid using a specific “banned” word for the day.
• Use a dictionary or thesaurus to find more precise words for your daily conversations.

New Year’s Dishonor List Day Dates Table