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The following is a "closing segment" for the show which aired Friday, January 3, 2003 at 10:00 AM EST.
Listen to this closing segment
Friday, January 3, 2003 at 10:00 AM EST
Word Banishment List

The English language is filled with catch-phrases, redundancies, and other over-used constructions that are adopted by the media and soon permeate the entire society. Each year, Lake Superior State University releases a list of overused words and phrases that it suggests be banned from the English language. Past victims have included “diva” — which now seems to describe every female vocalist; and “reality TV” — which generally is far from it. John Shibley is one of the compliers of the banished words list. Here, he shares some of the entries from this year’s list and explains what the list tells us about ourselves.

Guests:

John Shibley, co-compiler of the Banished Words List

 
 

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