Our language this year was hardly a heaven;

In parlance of teens, it was 'no cap' '6-7.'

Cliches were prolific; here are just a few:

We 'joined conversations,' and 'narratives' spewed

Of 'finding our spaces' and 'journeys' 'transcendent'

While viewing the truth 'through the lens' of events.

As buzzwords like 'scale up' and 'chopped' grew so fast,

We wondered if 'cringey' and 'clanker' would last.

We all 'met the moment,' 'looked under the hood,'

Endured 'situationships' best as we could.

New 'Open A.I.' brought forth cheers, fears and shrugs,

And many a doubter just chose to 'unplug.'

But others, embracing these new cyber trends,

Did fashion with 'chat bots' new pals and girlfriends.

Decoding the lingo of 'crypto' brought pain

From 'bitcoin' to 'mining' — and what's a 'blockchain'?

The youngish adopted their cold 'Gen Z stare,'

Suggesting to elders that they didn't care.

We all had to ponder 'One Beautiful Bill,'

As 'cutbacks' and 'tariffs' were climbing uphill.

These levies were touted as true 'liberation,'

But others contended they'd ramp up 'inflation.'

'Waste, Fraud and Abuse' became the new cry,

As Elon's young 'tech bros' did eagerly try

To hack, chop, demolish the hated 'deep state,'

(But mostly did chaos and mayhem create.)

Our acronyms flourished, from 'SNAP' to the 'DOGE,'

While 'DEI,' 'BIPOC' and 'woke' were deposed.

'Department of War' replaced one of 'Defense.'

And 'Gulf of America' to some gave offense.

As 'witch hunt' and 'crooked' did slither again,

A portrait of Biden was his 'autopen.'

And each 'deal' was 'perfect, the 'ballroom' so 'grand.'

The White House was golden, but not so the land.

From 'weaponized' agents of Homeland and ICE

Came forceful removals that weren't very nice.

With fierce 'anti-vaxers' now seizing command,

Old-fashioned 'hard science' was back in demand.

A sordid dispute, which brought forth great bile,

Concerned the release of the foul 'Epstein files.'

As insults like 'traitors' and 'piggy' were hurled,

We still had to deal with an 'uncertain world.'

From Gaza to Donbas, the drones they did fall,

While 'peace talks' and 'ceasefires' just seemed to stall.

'No Kings' and 'No Fascists,' the left did insist,

Exalting Mamdani, a 'dem socialist.'

The 'government shutdown' made everyone quiver.

Who knew what our 'doom scrolls' would next soon deliver?

Beleaguered consumers craved pricing stability

And coined the year's mantra — 'affordability.'

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. His book, "Mark My Words," is available for $9.99 on Amazon.com. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema at Unsplash