‘Cringe’, ‘era’ and other Gen Z slang banned in 2025, university declares: ‘Words matter!’

It’s time to leave behind your dreaded age of words. Period.

Every year, Lake Superior State University publishes its banished words list, a tradition dating back to 1976, highlighting words and terms that are overused, misused or simply unnecessary.

Nominations were submitted from around the world: USA, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, India and South Africa.

The university noted that “the fact that some of the same banished word suggestions came from different parts of the world underscores the universal struggle to deal with challenging words and phrases.”

“Words matter! Old habits can be hard to break and we are 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 should be replaced,” President of Lake Superior State Dr. David Travis said in a statement.

Banned Word List 2026 will be the university’s 50th edition, and anyone can nominate a word for banishment. Submissions must be made by 8am ET in November. 1, 2025.

Here are the words and phrases the university has banned for 2025:

grimace

“Cringe” is so cringeworthy.

The word topped the university’s list of banished words, saying it had “now outstayed its welcome”.

LSSU noted that overuse of the word has diminished its impact and meaning, and “ironically, its use now can cause the very reaction it describes.”

“Hearing someone say ‘someone is so chill’ gives me chills!” Ash, of Newton, Alabama, wrote to the university.

Game changer

Describing something as a “game changer” describes “anything remotely innovative,” saying it’s “as tired as a well-worn cliché.”

The university noted that almost everything is labeled a “game changer” these days — and “nothing is a game changer if everything is a game changer,” added Patrick of Washington, DC.

Wrong

“Unless you’re Taylor Swift, it might be time to leave the ‘era’ behind,” LSSU said.

“Thanks to Taylor Swift’s tour name, there’s now an ‘era’ for everyone and everything! “He is in his age of fatherhood,” “She is in her age of pottery-making,” etc., etc. It’s overwhelming and tiring,” Leah from Holland, Michigan, told the university.

Overuse of the term has led people to think that every little moment in life “requires a historical marker.”

Fallen

Used to describe the release of a song, music video, album, movie trailer, or even a trend or product, LSSU has stated that “dropped” has “declined” thanks to its overuse.

“Once sharp and cold, ‘fallen’ has become more of a disappointment,” the university said.

“Expelled for overuse, misuse, abuse, and injury to my head, when all those things that ‘crash’ fall upon me!” Susan from Littleton, CO, added.

IYKYK

It may come as no surprise that the acronym meaning “if you know you know” made the banished list, considering Internet lingo and acronyms are often “fan favorites” of shippers every year.

The university explained that the phrase is “cryptic and exclusionary” and “provides little clarity on substance”.

Sorry not sorry

“A half-hearted apology masquerading as bold honesty, this phrase feels as disingenuous as it sounds,” LSSU said.

Instead, they suggest just saying exactly what you mean and showing some kindness.

Sabrina from Wrenshall, MN wrote, “It’s really tiring to hear and it’s giving people another reason to be mean to each other.”

to ski

“Skibidi” – which comes from “Skibidi Toilet”, a slang term among the younger generations, as well as a meme and YouTube series – has been suggested for expulsion by people all over the world.

While it may speak to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, “to many it’s just noise.”

A request from a resident of Denmark said that “at this point, no one knows what it means and it just annoys people.”

100%

The phrase was named because of its overuse, with the university saying it “leaves no room for nuance or doubt.”

They added that some people feel that it does not make sense in the context in which it is used.

“Since when should a percentage be used to describe your agreement in a conversation?” asked Stephen from Sudbury, Ontario.

Useful

LSSU said the “exploitation” is “a classic offender”.

The university argues that “longer is not always better” and there is no reason to complicate a sentence using this word when “use” works just as well.

Period

According to LSSU, there is no need to make your point verbally. Period.

“Overuse has turned this into a period that we are ready to end,” they said.