Viral Sensation Dominates the 2025 Overused Words List
Lake Superior State University’s highly anticipated 2025 Banished Words List has been unveiled, once again shining a spotlight on overused phrases and drawing attention to our collective Overused Words List. For the 50th year, the university continues its linguistic observance, with “6-7” surprisingly claiming the top spot. This announcement offers a unique entry on this year’s Overused Words List.
“6-7”: The Viral Sensation on the Overused Words List
The phrase “6-7” has ascended to the number one position, topping submissions for 2025 and securing its place on the Overused Words List. Its viral spread is attributed to a song and its association with NBA player LaMelo Ball, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall. Platforms like TikTok rapidly propelled “6-7” into a cultural phenomenon and a trending topic, making it a significant point of discussion for this Overused Words List. The phrase’s often nonsensical usage, serving as an inside joke or a signal for shared understanding, contributes to its ambiguity and popularity. This phenomenon baffled many adults, and its selection by Dictionary.com as a “Word of the Year” for 2025 underscores a modern digital language trend. “6-7” is a perfect example of why an Overused Words List remains relevant in contemporary communication and language trends.
A Tradition of Linguistic Scrutiny: The Banished Words and Overused Words List
Established in 1976, Lake Superior State University’s Banished Words List began as a lighthearted New Year’s Eve tradition aimed at identifying misused words. This esteemed list targets phrases that are frequently overused or lack genuine utility. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the university receives over 1,400 submissions annually from across the globe, reflecting significant language evolution. This global participation underscores the importance of linguistic observance and provides a humorous commentary on communication, with this Overused Words List serving as a central feature. The university aims to foster language awareness, and this Overused Words List acts as a mirror to how language shifts over time, highlighting generational differences in speech and emphasizing the importance of strong communication skills.
More Linguistic Offenders: Additions to the Overused Words List
Beyond “6-7,” several other common words and phrases earned a spot on the 2025 Overused Words List. “Demure” received numerous nominations due to its perceived dilution of meaning through overuse. “Cooked” also appeared, with users expressing mental fatigue from its frequent use. Phrases like “my bad” and “reach out” made reappearances, having been previously banished. “My bad” first appeared in 1998, and “reach out” in 1994. Other notable entries on this significant Overused Words List include “incentivize,” criticized for being an unnecessary verb, and “perfect,” along with “gift/gifted.” The list also acknowledges internet language and viral slang, featuring terms such as “Skibidi” and “IYKYK.” Corporate jargon, like “game changer,” also faces scrutiny for losing its impact. These selections highlight current linguistic frustrations and contribute to a comprehensive Overused Words List.
Navigating Internet Language and the Overused Words List
Social media significantly accelerates language trends, allowing terms to become viral sensations through short videos and posts. This digital environment, however, can lead to misinterpretations where tone and context are lost, contributing to misuse. President David Travis noted that “social media allows a greater opportunity to misunderstand or misuse words,” making the identification of overused phrases even more critical. These lists, including the Overused Words List, illuminate generational divides, as younger generations adopt new slang that can be confusing to older demographics. “6-7” exemplifies this, becoming a viral sensation fueled by online culture and often found within “brain rot” memes—trends that foster community and belonging. Such trending terms change rapidly, but for now, they have earned their place on this Overused Words List, reflecting current internet language.
Looking Ahead: Language Evolution and the Overused Words List
The 2025 Banished Words List underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of language. Lake Superior State University’s tradition provides valuable insights into our communication patterns and encourages more mindful word choices. This yearly assessment helps us understand our evolving vocabulary and the impact of viral slang on an Overused Words List. Many eagerly anticipate next year’s list, which will undoubtedly feature new linguistic targets and further contributions to the ever-growing Overused Words List.
