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"Brat" Is The Collins Dictionary Word Of The Year for 2024

Confident, independent, and hedonistic

By Denise E LindquistPublished 2 years ago • 2 min read
"Brat" Is The Collins Dictionary Word Of The Year for 2024
Photo by Ashley Piszek on Unsplash

Collins Dictionary has named “brat” its word of the year for 2024, defining it as someone “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.”

My husband is a brat, and in the past most of the time that nickname doesn't fit the definition above but it has been used more in the sense that he likes to tease. Maybe it's more about his immaturity.

However, during this past election and a previous one. we were on different political sides. In my 70 years, I have never seen such a division. I know people who split up in the last election.

There has been that discussion, which I never thought possible. We have been married for 20 years in December, and together for 24 years. The first time I was hurt by what he said, didn't understand, and hurt some more in the past three elections.

It is the first time in our marriage that I haven't felt safe with him.

The first time the elected president won, I was targeted in a couple of businesses in a nearby town that I had not experienced here before. I grew up with that as a daily thing, but not here. I still don't frequent those businesses. It wasn't the business owners or was it?

After hearing that it doesn't matter his political leaning or his beliefs, family always comes first, I still can't help but feel like if someone believes like him and says those things to me, then why would he defend me?

That was helpful but I knew what he thought of his deceased brother being gay. I also knew how much his children loved their uncle. I have felt sad about that for both him and his brother.

Confident, independent, hedonistic

Nothing wrong with being confident

Right, as long as you aren't stepping on me to make a dent

Independence is great as long as you realize you have to live with others

and get along, even though everyone is not your brothers

Hedonistic or devoted to the pursuit of pleasure, sexual pleasure

if you are fighting with your wife will that be pleasurable, or displeasure

no sleeping in my bed tonight, how can I not think of you being like him

the newly elected triggers my abuse issues, he gives me the creeps, it's grim

Will we make it? I'm not a betting woman, how much time do I have, what

would have to get done to end this relationship, is it worth it hurts my gut

I know I love him and he loves me and this hasn't always been this way but

can I not get into this over and over and he says it is me that brings it up

and, and, and, help us Creator God to know what to do to not breakup.

What a deal at the end of life. So much strife. It is not easy being his wife.

FamilyFree Verseheartbreaksad poetry

About the Creator

Denise E Lindquist

Retired, working part-time as a Native American culture consultant. I have an MSE, and an ABD. I write on Vocal, and Facebook. Poetry, non-fiction mostly, and working on fiction. Wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

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    Written by Denise E Lindquist