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Banishing words, rambling writing style

The world is heavy right now, so I think it’s high time I enter my lighthearted era regarding my column.

Each week, I put pressure on myself to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) so I can drop the latest version of my writings.

Sorry not sorry if you think my writing style is rambling. IYKYK (if you know, you know), brevity is not my specialty.

While I generally think I am a good writer, I often go back and read my pennings and wonder why I take so long to just make a simple point.

Cringe!

Never fear, I am 100% committed to being a little tighter in my style in 2025. Intro. Point. Short description. Point. Short description. Point. Closing.

I’m going to save space and save your time.

It’s a game-changer!

I just hope you all can use my column for a little smile, and maybe even an aha moment every now and then. I want my thoughts to be something you might even utilize. That’s why I love to write to you fine folks of Skibidi, Ohio.

Period.

Does my rambling mess above drive you a little crazy? If so, just plain sorry.

Rest assured, you will never see me write such words again.

The reason? The 10 italicized words above have been banished, thanks to Lake Superior State University, the university in my wife’s hometown of Sault Ste. Marie.

Each year since 1976, LSSU has embarked upon “a quirky tradition” of creating a lighthearted list of words or short phrases that need to go as we ring in the new year.

“Words matter!,” said LSSU President David Travis in a press release. “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.”

The list is released Dec. 31 every year.

A brief description of this year’s choices:

Cringe — “While ‘cringe’ once packed a punch, it has now overstayed its welcome. Overuse has dulled its impact.”

Game changer — “How many times can a game change before it is no longer recognizable? This phrase, often used to describe anything remotely innovative, is tired as a well-worn cliche.”

Era — “Unless you are Taylor Swift, it might be time to leave ‘era’ behind”

Dropped — “Once edgy and cool, ‘dropped’ has become more of a letdown. Whether it is an album, a trend, or a product, this term has fallen flat.”

IYKYK — “Cryptic and exclusionary, this phrase offers little clarity or substance. If you know, you might agree it is time to let this one go.”

Sorry not sorry — “A half-hearted apology masquerading as bold honesty, this phrase feels as disingenuous as it sounds.”

Skibidi — “This viral word may have resonated with a younger crowd, but for many, it is just noise.”

100% — “Is it possible to be over-enthusiastic about retiring the phrase 100%? Absolutely! Its overuse has left no room for nuance or doubt.”

Utilize — A classic offender, ‘utilize’ proves that longer is not always better. Why complicate things when ‘use’ works just fine?

Period — “Yes we understand your point — no need to verbally punctuate it. Overuse has turned this into a period we are ready to end.”

I think we can all agree that most of us won’t miss those buzzy, pop culture phrases.

Now, back to my creed for 2025 related to my writing:

I’m a sigma, and it’s in my bag to write like one. The demure life isn’t in the cards for this baddie.

(If anyone at LSSU is reading this, please stop me now, send help, and take those suggestions for next year).

Alpena native Jeremy Speer is the publisher of The Courier in Findlay, Ohio, the Sandusky (Ohio) Register, The Advertiser-Tribune in Tiffin, Ohio, the Norwalk (Ohio) Reflector, and Review Times in Fostoria, Ohio. He can be reached at jeremyspeer@thecourier.com.

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