Words like “prowess” and “tapestry,” which are favored by ChatGPT, are creeping into our vocabulary, while words like “bolster,” “unearth,” and “nuance,” words less favored by ChatGPT, have declined in use. Researchers are already documenting shifts in the way we speak and communicate as a result of ChatGPT — and they see this linguistic influence accelerating into something much larger. “Delve” has become an academic shibboleth, a neon sign in the middle of every conversation flashing ChatGPT was here. “‘Delve’ is only the tip of the iceberg.”But it’s not just that we’re adopting AI language — it’s about how we’re starting to sound. Early backlash signals, like academics avoiding “delve” and people actively trying not to sound like AI, suggests we may self-regulate against homogenization.