Lake Superior State University in Michigan recently created a list of 10 words/phrases that are effectively banned in 2021 out of 1,450 nominations sent to the school. The university has apparently compiled such a list since 1976, but this year, the terms really hit home. Take a gander and see for yourself:

1. COVID-19 (COVID, coronavirus, Rona)

"No matter how necessary or socially and medically useful these words are, the committee cannot help but wish we could banish them along with the virus itself," said the university.

I completely agree. Do you know how many times I've had to type out "COVID-19" over the course of the past year??? We really could have used a formal name better than "Rona" to get us through the madness.

2. Social distancing

"We'd be lying if we said we weren't ready for this phrase to become 'useless.'"

If I never hear this phrase again for the rest of my life, I would die a happy man.

3. We're all in this together

"As the virus made its way across the globe and nation, it became clear that we are all dealing with COVID-19 in different ways and that we confront some vastly different challenges in coping with it."

Indeed. Millions have lost their businesses and livelihoods while a few well-paid politicians (such as my very own Queen Whitmer) leverage the 'Rona to gain power and privilege at the expense of liberty.

4. In an abundance of caution (various phrasings)

"Yes, humanity needs to follow safeguards during COVID-19... But the phrasing about how to take preventative steps is vague. What is the standard measurement for caution, metric or U.S. standard?"

Every time I hear this from a politician, I have an abundance of rage that makes me want to cautiously drive off a cliff.

5. In these uncertain times (various phrasings)

"What exactly does it mean for times to be uncertain? Look at a clock!"

This one really gets me. Tell me, at what point of history was the future certain? Also, compared to say, the year 1335, when you might lose half your family to the Plague and another to a war with France, it sounds really pretentious to say this as we sit in our air-conditioned homes eating ice cream with 24/7 emergency services on hand.

6. Pivot

"Basketball players pivot; let's keep it that way."

Amen to that. Politicians like to use the word "pivot" for everything these days, from "pivoting" into virtual learning to "pivoting" into a Marxist police state.

7. Unprecedented

"Despite the fact that 'unprecedented' was banished in 2002, given that it was nominated many times this year for misuse in describing events that do have precedent, inclusion again seems warranted."

As Solomon said, "Nothing is new under the sun." If you find yourself using this word, 99% of the time you are using it incorrectly.

8. Karen

"What began as an anti-racist critique of the behavior of white women in response to Black and Brown people has become a misogynist umbrella term for critiquing the perceived overemotional behavior of women."

Sorry, I can't agree with this one – it's too hilarious and too Gifable. If that upsets you, you're free to call the manager. 😉

9. Sus

"It's a shortened version for 'suspicious' in the video game Among Us.. How much effort does it take to say the entire word; and... If that can't happen, confine the syllable to the gaming world."

Sorry, but putting this one on the list is super sus. Whoever suggested this one is definitely the imposter.

10. I know, right?

"As one wordsmith put it, if you know, why do you need to ask if it's correct or seek further approval?"

I know, right????

Here's what university president Dr. Rodney S. Hanley had to say about the school's list this year:

"In a small way, maybe this list will help ‘flatten the curve,' which also was under consideration for banishment. We trust that your ‘new normal' – another contender among nominations – for next year won't have to include that anymore."