University releases 'banned words list' with many Gen Z slang terms including 'cringe', 'era' and more

A university has released its annual banned words list - and it's not good news for Taylor Swift fans.

It's not new information that the popularity of some words and phrases come and go.

I mean, if you'd have asked me this time last year what a 'brat summer' was, I wouldn't have had a clue. But by October 2024, 'brat' was coined as Collins Dictionary's 'word of the year'.

The word has once been used to describe a child behaving badly, but it's now being defined as 'characterised by a confident and independent attitude', BBC News reported, off the back of the release of Charli XCX's popular album of the same name.

While 'brat' isn't going anywhere anytime soon, there's some words that are being banned this year as part of Lake Superior State University's annual banishment list.

The tongue-in-cheek tradition dates back to 1976.

Lake Superior State President, Dr David Travis, said of this year's list: "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."

2025's 'banned words list'

Cringe

According to LSSU, cringe has 'overstayed its welcome' and its impact has been 'dulled' as a result.

One person said of the word: "Hearing someone say 'someone is so cringe' makes me cringe!"

Game changer

Many parents will have heard their kids use this phrase and may have finally learnt how to use it in conversation, but it's back to the drawing board folks, as 'game changer' is officially out.

"Nothing is a game changer if everything is a game changer," someone said of the term being overused - and it's a fair point.

Dropped

Using 'dropped' in regards to something like an album or new product being released is apparently no longer acceptable, as per LSSU.

Someone argued that the word should be banished for 'overuse, misuse, abuse, and hurting my head when all that "dropping" stuff lands on me'.

Era

Hot off the heels of Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour and people are tired of hearing (and using) the word. Sorry, Swifties!

IYKYK (If you know you know)

A common phrase used by the youth of today that's usually followed by a pair of eyes emoji.

There are a few definitions of the phrase on Urban Dictionary, a personal favorite being: "Secret melodramatic girl language; used to cite drama, inside jokes, and the stirring of pots."

Skibidi

While this was a new phrase to my 28-year-old self, apparently 'skibidi' means that something's cool, bad or dumb (depending on the context), NBC Chicago reported.

Fortunately, I don't have to learn how and when to use such a phrase though as it's now apparently banished. Phew.

Sorry not sorry

This isn't in reference to the popular 2017 Demi Lovato song, but the phrase itself.

One 'sorry not sorry' naysayer argued that the term gives people a reason 'to be jerks to one another'.

100%

Typically people will say that they're '100%' on something if they're definitely down for suggested plans, for example. But LSSU is 100% sure that that term should be null and void for 2025.

Utilize

As 'utilize' joins the list of banned words this year, frequent users of such word are being urged to 'write like you talk'.

Maybe just utilize the good, old-fashioned word 'use' instead?

Period

It has been argued that you don't need to say 'period' to make your point. I mean, we don't verbally punctuate with anything else, do we. Question mark.