Ban the word bae? That's just cra-cra! List of useless English words revealed

Sorry bae, this might sound cra-cra but the takeaway from Lake Superior State University's list of a dozen words to ban from the English language is that some want that term of endearment outlawed.

"Bae", "cra-cra" and "takeaway" are all on the school's 40th Annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness. Young people use "bae" to describe a sweetheart while "cra-cra" (or "cray-cray") is a slang variation of "crazy" and a "takeaway" is an important point that needs to be remembered.

Also on the list of terms that should be banned was "swag", with a variety of definitions including a gift or cool demeanour, "curate", which means choose, and "foodie".

"'Someone who enjoys food' applies to everyone on earth," said Andy Poe of Marquette, Michigan, who voted to have "foodie" removed from use. "What's next? 'Oh, I'm an airie; I just love to breathe.'"

The small public university has been publishing its list of bad words since January 1, 1976.

It considers nominations submitted from around the world, mostly through the school's website.