Lake Superior State University is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment of 3,000 students. And apparently, each year, they compile a list of trendy, overused words in the media and on social media that bug the heck out of them. Here is their 2013 List of Banished Words and some of the comments their readers have made in reference to the banned words.

Fiscal Cliff

"If only those who utter these words would take a giant leap off of it." Joann Eschenburg, Clinton Twp., Michigan

Kick The Can Down The Road

"I would definitely like to kick some cans of the human variety every time I hear politicians use this phrase to describe a circumstance that hasn't gone their way." Christine Tomassini, Livonia, Michigan

Double Down

"This blackjack term is now used as a verb in place of 'repeat' or 'reaffirm' or 'reiterate.' Yet, it adds nothing. It's not even colorful. Hit me!" Allan Ryan, Boston, Massachusetts

Job Creators

"One of the most overplayed buzz terms of the 2012 presidential campaign. Apparently 'lowering unemployment' doesn’t have the same impact." Dennis Ittner, Torrance, California

Passion/Passionate

"Diabetes is not just Big Pharma's business, it's their passion! This or that actor is passionate! about some issue somewhere. A DC lobbyist is passionate! about passing (or blocking) some proposed law. My passion! is simple: Banish this phony-baloney word." George Alexander, Studio City, California

YOLO

"Stands for 'You Only Live Once' and used by wannabe Twitter philosophers who think they've uncovered a deep secret of life. Also used as an excuse to do really stupid things, such as streaking at a baseball game with YOLO printed on one's chest. I only live once, so I'd prefer to be able to do it without ever seeing YOLO again." Brendan Cotter, Grosse Pte. Park, Michigan

Spoiler Alert

"Used as an obnoxious way to show one has trivial information and is about to use it, no matter what." Joseph Joly, Fremont, California

Bucket List

"The expression makes me cringe every time I hear it -- and we've been hearing it for several years. I'm surprised it isn't already in your master list. Let's emphasize life and what we do during it. It's such a grim way of looking at 'what I want to do,' and often it is in selfish terms." Shea Hoffmitz, Hamilton, Ontario

Trending

"I'm sick of chirpy entertainment commentators constantly informing us of what 'is trending right now.' I used to like a good trend until this." Nancy, Victoria, BC

Superfood

"It's food. It's either healthful or it's not. There is no 'super' involved." Jason Hansen, Frederic, Michigan

Boneless Wings

"Can we just call them chicken (pieces)?" John McNamara, Lansing, Michigan

Guru

"Unless you're teaching transcendental meditation, Hinduism or Buddhism, please don't call yourself a guru just because you think you're an expert at something. It's silly and pretentious. Let other people call you that, if they must." Mitch Devine, Rancho Santa Margarita, California

Bonus Round: even though these next two words are not part of LSSU's "Banished List" I would like to have them formally banished.

Just Sayin'

Initially, a cute and snarky way of interjecting a little value judgment on someone's behavior, but now so vastly overused it has lost its cuteness. We know you're just saying it, you just did.

Meh

It's basically a verbal shrug, a comment on an forum or story thread that means, "So what?" But it is so played out, it just makes me want to stab my eyeballs with a lobster fork.

Pilot readers, please let us know on our Facebook page what your own banished words are or comments to these.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com