Each year Lake Superior State University releases a list of words and phrases that should be banished. Some are terms that are overused in the media or popular culture. Others are words that have been mutated from their original meaning to represent something else. Regardless, this compilation is necessary, even if non-binding.
Among the words on this year’s list are surge, organic, and webinar. Thank God on that last one. Webinar a horrible word that embarrasses me when heard or read.
Also on the list were a pair of writer-related words. One I can rationalize. The other is unjustified. The first is author/authored. The list does not condemn the word in its proper use but rather using it as a verb. I have employed it as a verb, and I’ll probably do so again, because I enjoy words that can be used as both a noun and verb, especially in the same sentence (example: “I am going to go fish for fish.”). That said, even my heavy Oxford dictionary fails to list author as a verb, and hence I understand this inclusion to the list. I object to the damning of wordsmith. I’ve always been fond of this term and see no reason for its eradication. After all, writers manipulate languages the way a standard smith manipulates metal. Wordsmith is a sane marriage of shorter words and deserves a spot in the common vernacular.
I love the pliability of the English language. Contorting words and phrases to suit my intentions is a delight I derive from writing. Considering this, perhaps I should be offended that a body exists with the design of removing terms that wordsmiths have worked diligently to generate. On the other hand, webinar simply has to go, and I’m happy that an authority of any stripe has ordered an excommunication.
~ Robin