It’s time to leave your cringe word era behind. Period.
Every year, Lake Superior State University releases its Banished Words List, a tradition that dates back to 1976, highlighting words and terms that are overused, misused or simply unnecessary.
Nominations were submitted from all over the world: the US, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, India and South Africa.
The university noted that “the fact that some of the same banished word suggestions came from different parts of the world underscores the universal struggle of dealing with challenging words and phrases.”
“Words matter! Old habits can be hard to break and we’re happy to serve as a resource for the court of public opinion on what should continue to be part of the English language and what needs to be put to rest,” Lake Superior State President Dr. David Travis said in a statement.
The 2026 Banished Words List will be the university’s 50th edition, and anyone can nominate a word for banishment. Submissions are due by 8 a.m. ET on Nov. 1, 2025.
Here are the words and phrases that the university declared banned for 2025:
Cringe
“Cringe” is so cringe.
The word topped the university’s banished words list, saying that it “has now overstayed its welcome.”
LSSU noted that overuse of the word diminished its impact and meaning, and “ironically, using it might now cause the very reaction it describes.”
“Hearing someone say ‘someone is so cringe’ makes me cringe!” Ash from Newton, Alabama, wrote to the university.
Game changer
Describing something as a “game changer” describes “anything remotely innovative,” saying that it is “as tired as a well-worn cliché.”
The university noted that nearly everything has been labeled a “game changer” these days — and “nothing is a game changer if everything is a game changer,” Patrick of Washington, DC, added.
Era
“Unless you are Taylor Swift, it might be time to leave ‘era’ behind,” LSSU declared.
“Thanks to the name of Taylor Swift’s tour, now there is an ‘era’ for everyone and everything! ‘He’s in his fatherhood era’, ‘She’s in her pottery-making era,’ etc., etc.. It’s overused and tiring,” Leah of Holland, Michigan, submitted to the university.
The overuse of the term has made people think that every small moment in life “demands a historical marker.”
Dropped
Used to describe the release of a song, music video, album, movie trailer, or even a trend or product, LSSU has declared that “dropped” has “fallen flat” thanks to its excessive use.
“Once edgy and cool, ‘dropped’ has become more of a letdown,” the university said.
“Banished for overuse, misuse, abuse, and hurting my head when all that ‘dropping’ stuff lands on me!” Susan of Littleton, CO, added.
IYKYK
It may not come as a surprise that the abbreviation meaning “if you know you know” has made the banished list, considering internet slang and abbreviations are often “fan-favorites” of submitters every year.
The university explained that the phrase is “cryptic and exclusionary” and “offers little clarity of substance.”
Sorry not sorry
“A half-hearted apology masquerading as bold honesty, this phrase feels as disingenuous as it sounds,” LSSU said.
Rather, they suggest just saying exactly what you mean and to show a some kindness.
Sabrina from Wrenshall, MN, wrote, “It is really tiring to hear, and it is giving people another reason to be jerks to one another.”
Skibidi
“Skibidi” — which comes from “Skibidi Toilet,” a slang term among the younger generations, as well as a meme and YouTube series — has been suggested for banishment from people all over the world.
While it may speak to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, “for many it is just noise.”
A submission from a Denmark resident said that “at this point, nobody even knows what it means and it just annoys people.”
100%
This phrase was nominated due to overuse, with the university saying that it “has left no room for nuance or doubt.”
They added that some people felt that it doesn’t make sense in the context in which it’s been used.
“Since when should a percentage be used to describe your agreement in a conversation?” asked Stephen from Sudbury, Ontario.
Utilize
LSSU said that “utilize” is “a classic offender.”
The university argues that “longer is not always better” and there’s no reason to complicate a sentence by utilizing this word when “use” works just as well.
Period
According to LSSU, there’s no need to verbally punctuate your point. Period.
“Overuse has turned this into a period we are ready to end,” they said.
