“Blessed” when “Boy, the randomness of the universe really is scary when you think about it” will suffice.

ha ha, yes

Ahhh I don't know on this one. Surely "given" is neutral whereas "gifted" suggests a kind act/intention? (Unless used sarcastically)

"gifted" reeks of influencer-speak to me: it feels incredibly insincere. "Thank you to Big Lipstick, who gifted me this incredible tube of lippy."

In that context, sure. But "I was given a book" could be taken to mean anything from a gift to a grotty boring textbook handed out on the first day of school. May have to give it back. vs "I was gifted a book" ... someone gave me this book as a gesture; it is mine now etc etc

"I was given a lovely book" exists

I hate 'gifted' as a verb so much.

me too. I'm mostly reasonably sanguine about how the language changes, but this one really grates on me

“Obligated” and “administrated”?

😫😫

Wow. Here’s an idea! Why don’t we create a secret list of words to show that we are human. Obliged, administer, give. I would add “use” (not “utilise”).

The ongoing advance of Americanisms My favourites are: burglarize for its redundancy and pressurize when they mean to pressure someone, for the fact that actually pressurizing other people should be banned as cruel and unusual

I’ve always found skyrocketed annoying. Rocketed is sufficient

YES.

But Afternoon Delight doesn't scan otherwise.

that is such a terrible lyric, though

Says someone who’s never enjoyed any Afternoon Delight.

Sturgeon's Law applies to lyrics too.

But regifted is quite a useful word.

it means "I didn't like that present and I've lumbered someone else with it", which, like "gifted", reeks of insincerity

I mean we need insincere words too, we have a subtle language