For writers, “amazing” has become a word to avoid, says Michael Raleigh, author of the novels “The Blue Moon Circus” (2003) and “In the Castle of the Flynns” (2002).

The word “amazing” simply fails to amaze anymore. It’s high time for someone to put a halt on the most over-used adjective in the English language. All we hear these days is: &#82… ...

‘Baby bump,’ ‘amazing’ among 2011’s banished words Before passing comment on someone's "baby bump," take a pregnant pause. Likewise, give up promoting "shared sacrifice." ...