As politicians try to avert the fiscal cliff, Lake Superior State University wants to ban it -- the phrase at least. "Fiscal cliff" tops the university's 38th annual List of Words to be Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. The university's press release states: "If Congress acts to keep the country from tumbling over the cliff, LSSU believes this banishment should get some of the credit."

Other words and phrases banned are:

• Kick the can down the road
• Double down
• Job creators/creation
• Passion/passionate
• Yolo
• Spoiler alert
• Bucket list
• Trending
• Superfood
• Boneless wings
• Guru

The rationales for the bans -- announced each year on New Year's Eve -- may be found here. Previous lists (and a place to submit a word to ban) may be found here.