
WORD BANISHMENT SEASON FOR 2006 WINDS DOWN

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.  Now is the time to get rid of this years abused and misused words and phrases. Three weeks remain to submit a nomination for Lake Superior State Universitys 2007 Word Banishment List, to be released on January 1. 

For every New Years Day since 1976, Lake Superior State University has issued an annual List of Words Banished from the Queens English for Mis-Use, Over-Use or General Uselessness. Between now and December 20, LSSU will be accepting nominations for banishment from all over the world, covering all manner of word or phrase worthy of exile. 

University officials note that even with this years election-year lift, most entries dont necessarily come from politics. Nominations for the 2007 list roll in via e-mail at an average of 100 a week from the fields of academia, advertising, business, the military, sports, as well as politics. 

Were being inundated with more than 3,500 firebrand nominations, says a spokesman for the word-sifters. The selection process has been push-polled this way and that, and pummeled by trappings of truthiness. 

Words and phrases outlawed in previous years include: My Bad (`98), Forced Relaxation (`89), Free Gift (`88), Live Audience (`83, `87, `90), and Minor Emergency Clinic (86 and 90). Last years list dealt with hunker down, FEMA in any verb form, and the non-sequitur an accident that didnt have to happen. 

The annual compilation makes big news all over the world. Between now and mid-January, LSSUs public relations staff will conduct scores of interviews with electronic media outlets such as Fox, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, BBC, CBC, plus on radio call-in programs too numerous to mention. The worlds major press agencies  AP, UPI, Reuters, and Xinhua (Chinas national news agency)  also move the list. Lake Superior States tongue-in-cheek compilation catches the attention of columnists with the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, and Newsweek. 

Nominations for 2007s list, along with compelling reasons for banishment, should be submitted early and often through the Internet at_ http://www.lssu.edu/banished._ 

The 2007 list will be released on January 1, in time to welcome the new year.
