Banished Beyond
Nguyet Mahrenholz
Sometimes a word needs to be re-banished, and this is one of them. Many comments note that it is overused and meaningless, often employed as a rhetorical device that attempts to encapsulate the complexities of a situation summarily, lacking nuance and depth.
This tradition highlights certain words that are often misused, overused, or have lost their meaning over the past year. It encourages us to laugh at ourselves as we reconsider and reflect on the importance of our vocabulary.
LSSU received over 2,000 nominations from around the world, including submissions from Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, Germany, Guam, Ireland, Lebanon, Namibia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, with the majority coming from the United States.
The lighthearted Banished Words List began as a promotional ploy for little-known LSSU. The university was established in 1946 as a branch of Michigan College of Mining and Technology for returning World War II veterans. Lake Superior State College became autonomous in 1970 and developed into Lake Superior State University in 1987. Signature programs now include fisheries and wildlife management, engineering, nursing, criminal justice, business, robotics engineering, kinesiology, and fire science. In 2019, LSSU launched the first cannabis chemistry program in the nation. LSSU also was the first campus nationwide to offer an accredited four-year fire science program; it is one of three in the U.S. LSSU was the first campus nationwide to offer an accredited four-year robotics engineering technology program and is the only university nationwide to offer undergraduate education in industrial robotics.
I send out this fun look at language and words every other Saturday, exclusively for our community of paying subscribers called the Ampersand Guild. If someone sent this to you, please consider subscribing.
A comment on "Rizz." I had no idea what the origin of this was and I was unaware that it was in use enough to warrant inclusion. I think I had heard it once in my life, as a lyric in a throwaway song written by Harry Nilsson for Ringo Starr, Drumming is My Madness. "Rizz off!" was exclaimed just before Ringo went into a drum break. What that has to do with anything always perplexed me!
Quite timely! Let me add three of my own and use them in a sentence -- lawyer up; double down; plausible deniability. As in: "Scott, if you double down on using these words, you'll need to invoke plausible deniability that you are accountable; otherwise, you'll need to lawyer up to defend yourself against those who value proper language." (And Happy New Year...)
\u201CAs great minds have the faculty of saying a great deal in a few words, so lesser minds have a talent of talking much, and saying nothing.\u201D \u2014 Francois de la Rochefoucauld
Meanwhile, for the rest of us who want to know which of our friends require needling, here\u2019s the 2024 version of the annual List of Words Banished from the Queen\u2019s English for Mis-Use, Over-Use, and General Uselessness, complete with the editors\u2019 commentary.
The term \u201Chack\u201D has increasingly become a popular buzzword, frequently utilized to impart an aura of innovation or sophistication to various subjects. Its widespread adoption in multiple contexts, extending beyond its initial technological context, has the potential to lessen its inherent significance. Using it everywhere, even beyond its tech roots, could make it lose its magic.
Especially as a verb, why use this word when we have a perfectly good word that makes more sense: \u201Caffect\u201D? Overusing it not only takes away its pizzazz but also robs other words of their spotlight.
Rizz, derived as a shortened form for \u201Ccharisma,\u201D gained prominence as Oxford\u2019s word of the year and has become a familiar presence in the realm of social media discourse. The ubiquity of this term prompts contemplation on whether it retains its relevance. With language doing the cha-cha of change, we\u2019re wondering if this word still rocks the charisma scene or if it\u2019s time for a language remix.
While perfectly acceptable in specific contexts, \u201Cslay\u201D has transcended its original meaning and infiltrated situations where its usage no longer aligns with its intended significance. Its transition from a specialized term denoting exceptional accomplishment to a commonplace expression for any achievement prompts scrutiny into its misapplication, particularly in the characterization of routine or mundane actions. Now, it\u2019s sprinkled everywhere\u2014from wearing a stylish outfit to tackling the art of parallel parking.
This one appeared on the list in 2009, so perhaps it\u2019s time for another attempt to point out its overuse and lack of meaning in most situations. Despite its initial recognition as a word worthy of distinction, its repeated application in contexts that don\u2019t merit such acclaim challenges its genuine iconic status. It\u2019s like that one-hit wonder playing on loop.
From the comments: \u201CThe use of this term is cringe-worthy.\u201D The irony is served hot, as the very term \u201Ccringe-worthy\u201D finds itself under the spotlight. It\u2019s like a word caught in its own cringe-worthy moment. Now, as we usher in the new year, it\u2019s time to decide if this linguistic drama deserves an encore or if we should bid \u201Ccringe-worthy\u201D adieu to make room for fresh, less cringe-inducing expressions in 2024.
The use of this word for things that are not truly being obsessed over makes it a good candidate for rethinking how we use the word. The casual use of \u201Cobsessed\u201D to describe routine interests or preferences underscores a potential misappropriation of the term, prompting a reconsideration of its application. Should one be obsessed with a new kitchen gadget or a new shade of paint? This year\u2019s contributors think not.
The term \u201Cside hustle\u201D has gained widespread use, prompting considerations about its impact on how we perceive economic challenges. It may be worth reflecting on whether its prevalence inadvertently downplays the genuine reality of the situation. While \u2018side-hustle\u2019 adds flair to our language, our contributors feel that the only hustle is the one needed to get to their second job.
If we\u2019re watching the video, then we\u2019re already waiting for it, right? While \u201Cwait for it\u201D is trying to be the hype master, let\u2019s question if it\u2019s adding extra sparkle or just stating the obvious?
The MacHeath Clan was once one of the many wolf clans of the Beyond, until they were banished. They were notable for their viciousness and brutality to members of the clan, usually she-wolves. They would maim pups to get into the Watch and take over. Edme, one of the many maimed wolves, comes from this clan.
The MacHeath Clan was known for maiming pups, trying to get into the Sacred Watch. Edme, a one-eyed she-wolf, was maimed by their chieftain, Dunbar MacHeath. The reason the MacHeath wolves do so is because of their genetics; they cannot produce physically deformed pups. It is mentioned in Watch Wolf that while their minds may be twisted and warped, they are incapable of producing malcadhs, therefore they are also incapable of getting representation at the Watch of the Ring of Sacred Volcanoes. It is as if their spirits are deformed rather than their bodies.
When a pup is disobedient or rebellious, they are threatened by their parents or the Chieftain with being thrown into The Pit. The Pit is a deep stone canyon, with a rabid wolf living in it called Old Cags. Very few pups die in the Pit, from starvation or the disease, and if they do it is normally from suicide. Those who survive return to the clan "moonblinked." Cags needs the pup's name to moonblink the pup, and as soon as he has their name, he will say it over and over again, causing it to bounce and echo off the canyon walls and make the pup confused and delirious. When the pup returns, its eyes are all cloudy and stony and they obey everything. It is mentioned that most pups who return from the Pit are quiet and sickly, and often die young.
In Lone Wolf, Faolan is observing wolf packs and clans. He spies on a pack from the MacHeath clan. He doesn't want to join, due to the brutal cruelty received to gnaw wolves and females. To Faolan, they are the closest wolves to the ones he saw in the Outermost.
In Watch Wolf, the MacHeath Clan is responsible for the war that could have started. Dunbar is killed by Edme and the Fengo, Finbar, then announces that for now on, the MacHeath will be known as Outclanners. The she-wolves of the MacNamara clan then chase them to the Outermost. The MacHeath wolves are now "crait" from the Beyond.
In the 3rd book of Bears of the Ice, It's revealed that most of the wolves descended from the pack Faolan led to the Distant Blue had returned the the Beyond as the latter region was now habitable again. Among those wolves were the MacHeaths.
My review is primarily based on the print softcover version I received from one of my patreons, who requested a review of it at my convenience. I have also consulted the pdf-version to ascertain electronic features etc.
That being said, I would have reviewed this module either way. Why? Because it is one of the worst-reviewed Lamentations of the Flame Princess books, one that I only got for completion's sake. I had the pdf-version for a while before this was requested by my patreons and only then started reading it. Now, usually, I steer clear of other reviews in order to avoid coloring my point of view. Here, I never expected to write a review when I got the book, and as such, was very cognizant of the backlash this generated.
c80f0f1006