If you described yourself as a green maverick who preferred to remain home during the holidays for a staycation in order to minimize your carbon footprint, then according to Lake Superior State University you've used four words or phrases that should be banned.

The university, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., has released its 34th annual list of words or phrases that should be banished due to their overuse, misuse or uselessness.Actor Brent Butt of the comedy Corner Gas helped popularize the word staycation. (Canadian Press)

Joining green (meaning environmentally conscious), maverick, carbon footprint / carbon offsetting and staycation — a phrase made popular by the Canadian TV series Corner Gas — are:

• First Dude (denoting the spouse of a high-ranking female public official).
• Game Changer (a turning point in politics, sports, business).
• Bailout.
• Icon / Iconic.
• Wall Street / Main Street.
• Desperate Search.

A committee comes up with its favourites after receiving thousands of suggestions from the public throughout the year.

Bailout was a popular submission.

"Use of emergency funds to remove toxic assets from banks' balance sheets is not a bailout. When your cousin calls you from jail in the middle of the night, he wants a bailout," said Ben Green of Pennsylvania when he nominated the word.

"Is it a loan? Is it a purchase of assets by the government? Is it a gift made by the taxpayers?" wrote Dave Gill of Traverse City, Mich.

Green was one that triggered strong emotions.

"If I see one more corporation declare itself 'green,' I'm going to start burning tires in my backyard," said Ed Hardiman, Bristow, Va.

Phrases that have made the 2009 blacklist include "not so much," which Jeff Baenen of Minneapolis, Minn., said was a "favourite of snarky critics and bloggers" and "it's that time of the year again."

The latter was nominated by Kathleen Brosemer of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

"When is it not 'that time of year again?' From Valentine's sales to year-end charity letters, invitations to summer picnics and Christmas parties, it's 'that time' of year again. Just get to the point of the solicitation, invitation, and newsletter and cut out six useless and annoying words," wrote Brosemer in her submission.