SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (WILX) - If you’re tired of hearing “6-7” shouted, we have some “massive” news for you — it’s “cooked” in 2026.

At least according to Lake Superior State University’s annual Banished Words List. The school in the Upper Peninsula released its 50th annual list Thursday, celebrating the golden anniversary of “linguistic commentary.”

What began as a “whimsical New Year’s Eve party idea” all the way back in 1976 has grown into “a global reflection on the words that wear out their welcome,” according to the school.

The annual list gives tongue-in-cheek commentary on language, catchphrases and corporate jargon and effectively “bans” them from further use. LSSU says there were more than 1,400 submissions this year, coming in from all 50 states, and as far as Uzbekistan, Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, and many other countries.

Here are this year’s golden class of banishments and rationale:

1. 6-7: “There are six or seven reasons why this phrase needs to be stopped,” says Paul E. from Wisconsin. The volume of submissions for this one could have taken up the whole list, at least slots 6-7. The top banishment this year, Scott T. from UT adds, “it’s time for “6-7” to be 86’ed.”

2. Demure: “It’s very said more than very done, and we’re all very done hearing it!” remarks Tammy S. Often used in the phrase ‘very demure, very mindful,’ Madison C. shares that the overuse “waters down the real meaning.”

3. Cooked: “Hearing it…my brain feels ‘cooked,’” groans Zac A. from Virginia. Parents and guardians led the charge on this one, with some feeling this isn’t enough. James C. from Washington suggests a ban of “all forms of the word cook,” hoping that hearing them will become rare.

4. Massive: “Way overused! (often incorrectly),” exclaim Don and Gail K. from Minnesota. This word’s massive overuse has secured its place on this year’s list.

5. Incentivize: In the longstanding effort to turn nouns into verbs, this is another culprit. Two separate submissions likened hearing this word to “nails on a chalkboard.” Patricia from Texas asks, “What’s wrong with motivate?”