If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?
Language is one of the most powerful tools we have. It shapes our thoughts, defines our interactions, and carries the weight of history, culture, and identity. The words we use not only reflect who we are but also influence those around us. That’s why, if I could ban a word—or rather, a category of words—it would be racist slurs and unnecessary profanity.
A Society Without Slurs
Certain words have no place in society. The P-word and the N-word, for example, are remnants of a time when oppression and discrimination were socially acceptable. Even today, their usage carries the same deep-rooted hate, whether spoken with malice or ignorance. Words like these should be left in the past, not repurposed, reclaimed, or normalised. Their very existence in conversation legitimises a history of division and pain.
Some argue that reclaiming these slurs takes away their power, but why should we continue breathing life into words designed to dehumanise? Erasing them from common usage doesn’t mean erasing history, it means we choose to move forward without carrying the weight of hate in our everyday speech.
The Overuse of Swearing
Then there’s the casual use of profanity, particularly the F-word, which has somehow become a default connector between sentences. F this, F that, what the F is this? It’s as if people have lost the ability to express frustration or emphasis without resorting to the same tired expletives.
Once upon a time, swearing was reserved for extreme moments—pain, anger, shock. Now, it’s sprinkled into every conversation, even in public spaces where children and families are within earshot. We’ve normalised crude language to the point where it barely registers, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Words shape the way we think, and if every expression of displeasure or emphasis is wrapped in profanity, then perhaps we’re losing something bigger, self-control, respect, and the art of effective communication.
Swearing isn’t just about being “edgy” or “real.” It’s often a sign of laziness in speech. There are richer, sharper, and more intelligent ways to articulate anger, frustration, or passion. The fact that excessive swearing is so common today is a reflection of modern times—where filters are few, patience is thinner, and manners seem to be fading.
Words Have Weight
The words we use define us. They reveal how we were raised, what we value, and what we expect from others. Whether we realise it or not, we are role models to those around us—our children, friends, colleagues, even strangers who overhear our conversations. What we say has a ripple effect.
A single careless word can linger in someone’s mind for years. A racist slur can inflict deep wounds. An unnecessary insult can make someone question their worth. On the flip side, a kind word can inspire, uplift, and change the course of someone’s day—or even their life.
In a world where we have the freedom to choose our words, why not choose better? Why not leave behind the words that serve no purpose other than to harm, degrade, or fill empty space? If we truly believe in progress, then it starts with the way we speak, because words aren’t just sounds—they are legacies we leave behind.
And that is something worth thinking about.
The Narratives - Mohamed Miah 
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