Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


1

'Green' Tops 2008's Most Annoying Terms

'Maverick,' 'staycation,' and 'game-changer' also make appearances

Share

(Newser) – Did you get your fill of mavericks this year? Or companies claiming to go green? Those words made Lake Superior State University’s list of the most overused words and phrases of 2008, the AP reports. Other annoying winners:

  • Carbon footprint
  • First dude
  • Bailout
  • Wall Street, in comparison with Main Street

  • <3 (yes, the emoticon meaning “heart”)
  • Iconic
  • Game-changer
  • Desperate search
  • Not so much
  • Staycation
  • It’s that time of year again

LSSU has posted its list of the most annoying words of 2008.
LSSU has posted its list of the most annoying words of 2008.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Everyone and everything cannot be 'iconic.' Can't we switch to 'legendary' or 'famous for'?
- John Flood, Bray, Wicklow, Ireland, who nominated 'iconic'.

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
1 comment
VIEWING:
 
Lula
Jan 1, 09 12:33 PM CST
First Dude was the most annoying phrase. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

6 Stories

 The 10 Douchiest  
 Colleges in the US 

From Brown to Bob Jones, 'what kind of douche do you want to be'?

Aug 29, 09 7:08 AM CDT
(Newser) - In college, acting insufferable is pretty much a given. “The question for America's youth is: What kind of douche bag do you aspire to be?” asks GQ. The mag helpfully offers the top options.
  1. Brown University: Peace Sign on My Mom's 7 Series Douches are limo liberals
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Duke University • Princeton University • list • college • university • University of Colorado • Brown University • Bob Jones University • Harvard University • Amherst College • Charter College • Rollins College • Deep Springs College

OPINION

 Top New Phrases of 2008 

Schott compiles list of 2008's most memorable neologisms

Dec 26, 08 10:55 AM CST
(Newser) - 2008 will be remembered not only for a historic election and financial gyrations, but for the words and phrases that came into use this year. Ben Schott, author of Schott's Almanac, lists some of 2008's most interesting neologisms in the London Times.
  • Terrorist fist jab: A blunt Fox News-ism
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • vocabulary • Carla Bruni • 2008 • zero percent • Best of 2008

ANALYSIS

 Google Taps Zeitgeist, 
 Finds Palin a Winner 

Alaska governor went zooming up search charts in '08

Dec 11, 08 1:34 PM CST
(Newser) - Every year, Google releases its analysis of the global zeitgeist based on billions of searches around the world. Newsweek reports the highlights:
  • Sarah Palin: "Obama" was the most searched for term overall, but the Alaska governor grabbed the top spot on the fastest-rising list.
  • Beijing
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • Google • Facebook • list • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Heath Ledger • Jonas Brothers • Election 2008 • Sarah Palin • 2008 • Google Zeitgeist • Best of 2008

6 Stories


Check out the full list, with explanations on LSSU's homepage
Lake Superior State University

Word of the Year will be named in two weeks
CanWest News Service


US  •  Arts & Living 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

 
list • university • vocabulary • neologisms • slang • 2008

from our news partners