Rarely-Used Words: Time for a Comeback?

This past Friday, Lake Superior State University released its annual list of words so overused and cliched, they should be “banished” from the English language in 2011.

Love using “viral” to describe the rapid spread of internet content?  The word itself apparently went viral, and now it’s worn out its welcome. Banished.

“Epic” and “fail,” were also sent packing, along with other gems such as “a-ha moment,” “man up” and “BFF” (not technically a word, so good riddance to it).

The word “google” is still acceptable–as long as it’s being used as a noun, of course. As a verb, it’s banished.

There were fourteen words on the university’s list, and we can certainly spare that many. As of 2010, there were 1,033,322 words in the English language, and many that are seldom used. Perhaps, with “epic” and “BFF” gone, we can use this opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with some old gems.

Here are few fun-but-forsaken words and phrases I’d like to see make a comeback this year:

Blunder - Unsuccessful or mistake; a good choice to replace “fail.”

Bosom friend – Refers to a loyal companion companion who knows your innermost thoughts. Who needs “BFF? Bosom friend may take longer to type out, but most people I know would be happy to stick the word “bosom” into conversation. This should be an easy sell.

Ephiphany - A sudden insight or realization of the meaning of something, perfect to replace “a-ha moment.” It also refers to a Christian festival on January 6, so it’s particularly relevant right now.

Lily-livered – commonly used by movie pirates, it means weak or cowardly. People once believed that one’s passion came from one’s liver. They assumed that cowardly behavior, therefore, must have come from a white, lily-colored liver that didn’t contain any blood. Next time, Instead of telling someone at work to “man up,” stick another noun on the end and say something like, “Don’t be lily-livered swine, Charlie! Now go in there and show that pushy client a thing or two!” I’d like to be a fly on the wall of THAT office…