Saturday was my social-media break, so it wasn't until Sunday that I could share my thoughts on what happened in Venezuela, which were not appropriate for a family newspaper. So I find my solace in words again, and in the Lake Superior State University's 50th Banished Words List, released a couple of days prior.

And here's an early suggestion for the next list: Donroe Doctrine. Yeesh. James Monroe is turning in his grave.

Among the banished in this golden anniversary year:

6-7. Every generation has had its nonsensical phrase that annoys the "adults," and 6-7 is no different. LSSU quipped in the press release, "The volume of submissions for this one could have taken up the whole list, at least slots 6-7." (Ba-dum-bum.) One nominator opined, "it's time for '6-7' to be 86'ed."

Take heart, as it will disappear as soon as it stops annoying us, and kids will find something new to bug us with after that. It's the circle of life.

Demure. Nominators were tired of this word's association with the "very demure, very mindful" meme originating with TikTok influencer Jools Lebron in August 2024, with one remarking, "It's very said more than very done, and we're all very done hearing it!"

Considering how few of those........

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