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Great communicators avoid jargon.
Now, a Michigan university has
identified 17 buzz phrases that you should avoid for 2006: phrases
like “git-r-done”, “talking points”, and “breaking news.”
Those are phrases
from the
"List of Words and Phrases Banished from the Queen's English for
Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness."
This 31st
annual list comes from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste.
Marie, Michigan. The words are selected from submissions to the
school’s website. Here are the phrases to avoid and the school’s
reasons for their banishment. The submitters' names are
included by each word.
SURREAL
– One part opiate
of the masses, 13 parts overuse. Oddly, news anchor and television
small talk is becoming more surreal. “Dreams are surreal, not daily
adjectives.” – Tracy from Murray, Ky.
HUNKER DOWN
– To brace oneself,
in anticipation of media onslaught. Trotted out in reports about
everything from politics to hurricanes. “I have a hankering to ban
all of this hunkering.” – Kate Rabe Forgach, Fort Collins, Colo.
PERSON OF INTEREST
– Found within the
context of legal commentary, but seldom encountered at cocktail
parties. “People with guns want to talk with you.” – Melissa Carroll
from Greensboro, NC. “Does this mean the rest of us are too boring
to deal with?” – Patricia Johnson from Mechanicsville, Va.
COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS
– A five-dollar
phrase on a nickel-errand. Value-added into many higher education
mission statements. “Not to be confused with ‘school.'” – Jim Howard
from Mishawa, Ind.
UP OR DOWN VOTE –
A casualty of
today's partisanship. No discussion on this one; the committee just
tossed a coin. “I see a bright future for ex-senators as elevator
operators.” — Allan Dregseth, Fargo, ND.
BREAKING NEWS –
Once it stopped
presses. Now it's a lower-intestinal condition brought about by
eating dinner during newscasts. “Now they have to interrupt my
supper to tell me that Katie Holmes is pregnant.” — Michael Raczko,
Swanton, Ohio.
DESIGNER BREED
– Many nominators
consider this a bastardization of dog breeding. It may be a good
line to use on angry neighbors when an un-neutered dog escapes.
“When you mate a miniature schnauzer to a toy poodle, it's not a ‘Schnoodle,'
it's a mongrel.” – George Bullerjahn, Bowling Green, Ohio.
FEMA
– Dedicated to the
memory of a great federal agency consigned to the ash heap of
parody. “If they don't do anything, we don't need their acronym.” –
Josh Hamilton, Tucson, Ariz.
FIRST-TIME CALLER
– Preamble often
heard on talk radio. “I am serious in asking: who in any universe
gives a care?” – Miguel McCormick, Orlando, Fla.
PASS THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU!
– Marketing catch
phrase that became a lost-leader long ago. “Read: Pass the markup
along to you.” – C. W. Estes, Roanoke, Tex.
97% FAT FREE
– Adventures in
delusion. “Still has 3% fat . . . accept it.” – Andrew Clucas,
Canberra, Australia.
AN ACCIDENT THAT DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN
–
Best-laid mayhem. “This means some accidents need to happen, for
whatever reason, I can't figure.” — Thomas Price, Orlando, Fla.
JUNK SCIENCE
– Banished from the
Marketplace of Ideas. “It's not scientists who are using this phrase
so much as the people who practice junk politics.” – Ron LaLonde,
Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada.
GIT-ER-DONE –
(Any of its
variations) It's overdone. “There's no escaping it. It's everywhere,
from TV to T-shirts,” says Amanda Tikkanen of LaGrange, Ind. “Please
tell me when we're done with this one.”
DAWG –
No designer breed
here. Someone should wash out this Spot. “Even parents are starting
to use it!” – complains Mrs. Swartz's Fifth Grade Class in Church
Road, Va. “This is species confusion.” – Rob Bowers, Santa Clara,
Calif. “Don't call me ‘dawg'! I'm not your pet!” – Michael Swartz,
Albuquerque, NM.
TALKING POINTS
– Cover your ears!
“Topics which will please those you want to impress.” – Michele
Mooney, Van Nuys, Calif. Joe Wonsetler of Swanton, Ohio, believes
the phrase was created after PR staffers stopped attending seminars
on how to put a positive ‘spin' on their press releases.
HOLIDAY TREE
– Many salvoes were
fired during this past season's “war on Christmas.” At the risk of
jumping into the breach, the committee feels that “Holiday tree” is
a silly name for what most folks hold as a Christmas tree, no matter
your preference of religion. Thank goodness we all agree on the
first day of winter.
At Speechworks we
help our clients learn how to communicate in a way that connects and
persuades. If you’re interested in becoming a great communicator
give us a call at 404-266-0888 or check out our website at
www.speechworks.net |
