When thinking about trends, we typically tend to consider only clothing and hairstyles. The concept of trends actually continues into the words we use and the ways in which we choose to express our thoughts. People of our parents’ generation commonly said things such as gnarly, spiffy, and “far out” but times have changed, as have the trendy, overused words of the present.

Throughout the past few years, “beast” should have already run its course. While various other words and sayings are only popular for a short time period, beast has stayed around longer than expected. High school and middle school students alike have been using the expression while discussing almost anything imaginable. A day of “chilling” with friends can be considered beast, along with acing a test or having a delicious dinner.

The word legit is not a legitimate word, yet I can barely go a day without hearing it. People will say everything from “I legit love your outfit today” to “I legit can’t handle this.” Even worse is when they throw “like legit” at the end of whatever they say – double whammy. The biggest issue with the term is that it inaccurately uses the word at its root. Legit is not an intelligent word and desperately needs to be retired as soon as possible.

“I’m just saying” is the ever-popular excuse of recent years. It can be thrown after any sentence and commonly follows strange looks from others. Many agree that it’s a phrase that we could do without because honestly, it doesn’t add anything to the conversation… Just saying.

In our generation, many teenagers resort to using the words “gay” and “retarded” when describing something stupid, annoying, or that they simply don’t like. Those derogatory terms should not be used in such a way. Nobody thinks twice about saying them but they can actually be offensive to others. There are other alternatives to saying “gay” and “retarded,” which should be considered before either of those words slips out of your mouth. Those teenagers using these words need to be considerate and if they choose to retire any word in 2011, these should be the ones. 

These few words are among many that need to be cut down in daily language. They’re unnecessary, unintelligent, and hurtful things to say. We are at the beginning of a new year which provides the perfect opportunity to begin using these – and many other words – less than we previously have. Making that change could be the perfect new year’s resolution!