A recent check of the big list of 2005 lists at fimoculous.com revealed a number of new word lists popping up around the web. Here are a few highlights:
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
As you may recall, last year’s winner was blog. In a telling redirection of attention, the most-looked-up word in 2005 is integrity. Others in the top 10 are contempt, filibuster, insipid, tsunami, pandemic, and levee.
For the complete list, visit Merriam-Webster Online.
Lake Superior State University
This year saw some fun entries into their annual “List of Banished Words.” By “banished words,” I think they mean words that they themselves or others would like to banish from the English language because of their recent misuse, abuse, or overuse. A few that made it on the list this year were:
- Blue States/Red States
- Flip Flop
- Pockets Of Resistance
- Enemy Combatant
- Wardrobe Malfunction
- Blog [say it ain’t so!]
- Journey
- Sale Event
For the complete list, as well as reasons for banishing these words and phrases, visit the Lake Superior State University website.
The Global Language Monitor
This website just posted their Top Politically Correct Words for 2005—a list of words that people or organizations have substituted for harsher, less-sensitive words. My favorites:
- misguided criminals (for terrorists)
- thought shower (for brainstorm)
- deferred success (for failure)
See the whole list with explanatory notes and quotes at The Global Language Monitor.