New Year’s Dishonor List Day - Out with the Old, In with the Clear Communication

New Year’s Dishonor List Day, observed on January 1, is an annual tradition created by Lake Superior State University in Michigan to celebrate clear, meaningful communication by “banishing” overused or misused words and phrases. Since 1976, the university has published a “Dishonor List” of words and phrases that have become so overused or misapplied that they lose their meaning or become irritating. Each year, the public is invited to submit nominations, resulting in a humorous yet insightful roundup of words and expressions that reflect cultural trends and communication pet peeves.

Past entries have included everything from jargon-filled buzzwords like “synergy” to pandemic-era phrases such as “new normal.” This quirky holiday has become popular among writers, communicators, and anyone who appreciates thoughtful language. It’s an opportunity to start the New Year with a “clean slate” of effective, concise communication.