Banished Words – A Wish List
Lake Superior University, located in Michigan and the state’s smallest university, has again published its list of Banished Words. Of course the words aren’t banished, but they probably should be.
For example:
- NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS — Heard in movie advertisements. Where can we see that, again?
“How often do movies premiere in laundromats or other places besides theaters? I know that when I want to see a movie I think about going to a shoe store.” — Andrea May, Shreveport, Louisiana.- ASK YOUR DOCTOR — The chewable vitamin morphine of marketing.
“Ask your doctor if ‘fill in the blank’ is right for you! Heck, just take one and see if it makes you ‘fill in the blank’ or get deathly ill.” — R.C. Amundson, Oakville, Washington.
“I don’t think my doctor would appreciate my calling him after seeing a TV ad.” — Peter B. Liveright, Lutherville, Maryland.
I suppose, as writers, we have some theoretical influence on the language and can work to avoid the worst of these.
Write well and often,
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2 opinions for Banished Words – A Wish List
Scott
Jun 30, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Another one is “free gift”. Don’t know about you, but I’ve never received a gift that I’ve had to pay for …
Anne Wayman
Jul 2, 2007 at 8:37 am
free gift for sure… particularly when the charge $20 shipping.
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