Commentary
A word has invaded American English. It has taken over the casual speaking of several generations under the age of 40. It is so common that hardly anyone who deploys it, no matter how incessantly, even notices it anymore. We are so used to hearing it that we do not even hear it. Or at least we try not to.
Once you do hear it, it is impossible to hear anything else. The people who use it might as well not be speaking at all because the word is so invasive and hegemonic. It must be stopped lest we discontinue all clear communication. It is a virus, a cancer, a killer of erudition. It reduces everyone who is infected to a babbling fool….