LSSU issues retraction on 'frozen tundra'

The following is the continuation of LSSU's announcement of its 2004 Banished Word list:

********************** Finally, the committee admits that it is not infallible.

On the 2003 list we included 'frozen tundra' as being redundant and heard back from many people who pointed out that tundra does not mean 'frozen land.'

Green Bay Packers fans were especially adamant, even though sportscasters frequently use the phrase to describe their home turf. We hereby reinstate 'frozen tundra.'

And now, for the fine print:

"It is a common mistake," said one person. "Tundra is a state of vegetative and soil conditions that can exist in non-frozen forms. There is flooded tundra (spring), dusty tundra (summer), muddy tundra (fall), and frozen tundra (winter). I know. I walked in all of it during 20 years of working in arctic Alaska."

"Tundra is a treeless, level or rolling ground in polar regions or on high mountains," said another.

"It is characterized by bare ground and rock or by such vegetation as mosses and lichens."

We stand corrected.

Editor’s Note:

Lake Superior State University is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment approaching 3500 students.

It is known for its academic programs such as fisheries and wildlife management, engineering, teacher education, nursing, geology, business management and criminal justice.

For admissions information, go to LSSU's web site: www.lssu.edu.

LSSU accepts nominations for the Word Banishment list throughout the year.

To submit your nomination for the 2003 list, go to www.lssu.edu/banished.

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