University bans Gen Z slang like "cringe" and "era" in 2025

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) just pulled a major "say less" moment by officially axing some of Gen Z’s most overworked slang. The 2025 "Banished Words List" has dropped, and it’s coming for all your faves like "cringe," "era," and "game changer."

This isn’t just some annual tradition from 1976; it’s the linguistic version of a fashion police arrest. This list is ready to do some serious verbal damage.

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Why has the university banned Gen Z words?

Back in the day, Bill Rabe, LSSU's PR guy, thought to roast the words we overuse and misuse. Fast forward to 2025, and this quirky tradition is still going strong. People from all over the world send in their nominations, tired of hearing the same words over and over until they lose all meaning.

This year, the list is hitting close to home for anyone fluent in Gen Z speak, targeting the most done-to-death phrases we’ve got.

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List of terms banished in 2025

Cringe

Once upon a time, "cringe" perfectly captured the essence of second-hand embarrassment. But now it's like that one song your friend refuses to stop playing—just too much. Even LSSU couldn’t help but throw shade: “Hearing someone say 'someone is so cringe' makes me cringe!” Yeah, it’s officially ironic, and not in a cool way.

(Image via Pinterest/ aelitadiagostino)

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Era

Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" might have skyrocketed this term, but labeling every phase of your life as an "era" has gotten old. LSSU’s verdict is that become as hollow as a "live, laugh, love" sign. Next time you’re tempted to call your new obsession an "era," maybe reconsider.

(Image via Pinterest/ persimmongarden13)

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Game Changer

If everything is a "game changer," then nothing really is. This term once signaled groundbreaking innovation, but now it’s the boy who cried wolf. LSSU’s ruling is clear—overuse has made it meaningless, like calling every new iPhone feature revolutionary.

(Image via Pinterest/ gowinathletics)

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Dropped

Remember when artists "dropped" albums and it felt fresh? Now, it’s as exciting as yesterday’s news. LSSU’s decision to ban "dropped" is a call for creativity. Let’s find a new way to say "released" that doesn’t feel so flat.

(Post via X/ @folkwhvre)

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IYKYK (If You Know You Know)

What started as a cheeky nod to inside jokes has become the ultimate vague flex. LSSU’s stance is well, If you know, you know... it's time to stop using it. Social media can survive without this cryptic tagline.

(Post via X/ @saraabear)

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Sorry Not Sorry

Popularized by a catchy tune, "sorry not sorry" has been called out for its faux-apologetic tone. LSSU isn’t buying the sass anymore—it’s time to retire this phrase and find a better way to own up (or not).

(Post via X/ @horrorsthetics)

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100%

Using "100%" to express agreement was cool until it became filler. LSSU thinks it’s contributing to verbal clutter, and they’re not wrong. We’re totally, completely, absolutely done with it. 100%.

(Post via X/ @galmommie)

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Utilize

This one’s for the word nerds. Why say "utilize" when "use" gets the job done just fine? LSSU is all about keeping it simple, so let’s cut the pretension and speak like normal humans.

(Post via X/ @utdsummer)

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Period

Ending your sentence with "period" to emphasize a point? LSSU thinks this verbal punctuation mark is officially redundant. Period.

(Post via X/ @MyDoge)

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What does this mean for language lovers?

LSSU’s annual takedown of these words is about reminding us that words matter.

Dr. David Travis, LSSU’s president, nailed it when he said:

"Words matter! Old habits can be hard to break and we’re 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 needs to be put to rest."