Another wordy year passes by, with bread bags on its feet

If only I had been quicker in writing my annual column looking back on words that defined the year, I might have avoided 'schlonged.”

But there it is, right at the deadline, straight from the mouth of Donald Trump, which uttered so many memorable words during 2015. In this case, he was describing how Hillary Clinton had been handily defeated, in his words, schlonged, in the 2008 Democratic primaries. A vigorous debate followed.

Was Trump making a vulgar reference to the male anatomy or simply using a colorful New York expression? What was the guy who longs to put his name on tall buildings really thinking? A mystery.

In some ways, 2015 was better than 2014. 'Castration” and 'cannibalization” seldom were heard. 'Polar Vortex” melted in the face of a 'Godzilla El Nino,” making much of December feel like March.

And yet, two of the biggest names in English couldn't even pick an actual word as their 2015 word of the year. Merriam-Webster chose ' - ism,” as in socialism, feminism, terrorism, etc. And the Oxford Dictionary picked an emoji called 'Face with Tears of Joy.”

Insert a frown of unamused disapproval here.

'Topsoil” appeared frequently in this space as state officials dismantled a rule requiring builders to put four inches of the stuff back on finished sites. The new rule directs replacement unless builders find it 'infeasible.”

Some folks wish I would stop harping on topsoil. I considered it, but found that approach infeasible.

Although it's hardly a new word, 'nitrate” probably was used more than ever thanks to the Des Moines Water Works' lawsuit over farm runoff pollution. Bottoms up, with a 'blue-green algae” chaser.

A good way to keep any sort of water from ruining your best shoes, according to U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, is placing your feet inside 'bread bags.” She recounted that homespun wisdom during her Republican response to the president's State of the Union address. It triggered an online downpour of snark. Iowans of a certain age considered their own bread bag histories. And moon boots.

Also at the SOTU, Iowa U.S. Rep. Steve King tweeted the nifty term 'deportable” to describe a young, undocumented immigrant brought here as a child sitting with the first lady. In a related development, his 'Freedom Summit” drew several GOP candidates vying to become 'unelectable.”

Here in 'Speeder Trapids,” speed cameras remain in place as a legal tussle continues. In Marion, we're saying farewell to Mayor 'Snooks,” but the 'shadow government” remains, or so I'm told.

But my 2015 word of the year comes from Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett's State of the City speech in February. With apologies to anyone who might be offended, it's 'pissivity.”

It's 'basically how pissed-off a person is,” the mayor told his audience. 'Now, I know a mayor shouldn't use that word.”

Corbett argued, locally, pissivity is declining. Perhaps, but in a broader sense, it seems like 2015 has been defined by how ticked off, indignant and outraged we are. Judging by our politics, our online interactions and our media, pissivity is at stratospheric levels. Flaming devil emojis! Everywhere you go.

Will that change one bit in 2016? I.m betting civility gets schlonged again.

l Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@thegazette.com