Kick this can right off the fiscal cliff

DETROIT - Spoiler alert: This story contains words and phrases that some people would love to expunge from the English language.

Spoiler alert

is among them. So are

kick the can down the road

,

trending

, and

bucket list

.

A dirty dozen have landed on the 38th annual List of Words to be Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse, and General Uselessness. The nonbinding, tongue-in-cheek decree released Monday by northern Michigan's Lake Superior State University is based on nominations submitted from the United States, Canada, and beyond.

Spoiler alert, the seemingly thoughtful way to warn readers or viewers about looming references to a key plot point in a film, book, or TV show, nevertheless has passed its use-by date for many, including Joseph Foly, of Fremont, Calif. He argued in his submission that the phrase is "used as an obnoxious way to show one has trivial information and is about to use it, no matter what."

At the risk of further offense, here's another spoiler alert: The phrase receiving the most nominations this year is fiscal cliff, banished because of its overuse by media outlets when describing across-the-board federal tax increases and spending cuts that economists say could harm the economy in the new year in the absence of congressional action.

"You can't turn on the news without hearing this," said Christopher Loiselle, of Midland, Mich., in his submission. "I'm equally worried about the River of Debt and Mountain of Despair."

Other unloved terms: superfood, guru, job creators/creation, and double down.

University spokesman Tom Pink said that in nearly four decades, the Sault Ste. Marie school has "banished" about 900 words or phrases. Nominations used to come by mail, then fax and via the school's website, he said. Now most come through the university's Facebook page - fitting, since social media have accelerated the life cycles of such words and phrases as one of this year's entries - YOLO, meaning "you only live once."

Rounding out the list: boneless wings and passion/passionate. Those who nominated the last one say they are tired of hearing about a company's "passion" as a substitute for providing a service or product for money.

Andrew Foyle, of Bristol, England, said, "Apparently, it's insufficient to do it ably, with skill, commitment or finesse. Passionate, begone!"

As usual, the etymological exercise - or exorcise - goes only so far. Past lists have failed to eradicate viral, amazing, LOL, or man cave from everyday use.