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The internet's jargon has a nasty habit of worming its way into everyday speech, which is how you end up with late 30-somethings unironically jabbering about reheated nachos. Viral words and phrases don’t just infiltrate how we talk; they shape what we find funny, too. Joke formats, absurd phrases, and even the structure of comedy itself are now deeply influenced by the online world. Because in 2025, the internet is everything — and everything is the internet. 

As a confused old man once said: "Wow.... everything's computer."

Speaking of that guy, lately, it seems the internet finds certain phrases funny when they’re missing words. Like someone looking at a Tesla and muttering, "Everything’s computer." Online humor has adopted a cadence that echoes The Office's Kevin Malone, who famously once said, "Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?"

Once you notice it, it's everywhere. "Everything's computer." "Trump take egg." "Luckily, I have purse." To be clear, it's not like this is a wildly new form of comedy. We've always played with language — think spoonerisms, or the classic Airplane! line, "Don't call me Shirley."

But there’s something distinctly internet about today’s version: omitting connective tissue words like "a" or "the," reducing an idea to its most absurd and barebones form. It’s meta-comedy, laughing at how ridiculous a sentence sounds when you peel away everything but the punchline. It’s funny when Trump says, "Everything’s computer" because 1) It’s dumb, and 2) It’s somehow true. And then, soon enough, it’s a meme you start saying out loud in real life.

This bit has migrated offline, too. Just listen to your most Extremely Online friend. I'm a regular listener to So True, a podcast hosted by comedian Caleb Hearon, by my estimation perhaps the funniest human being alive and someone whose career took off online. In a couple of recent (and very funny) podcasts, Hearon and his guests riff on truncated phrases like:

• "I can't have boyfriends, plural. I struggle to think of singular boyfriend."

• "By the time the leaves change again, it'll be bad for gay."

• "They're taking gay away."

• "Where are the fat ones because we'll need to send extra team."

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Not to read too much into silly jokes...but to read too much into silly jokes, it tracks. Hearon, who is gay, is using language to deflate something serious like potential persecution. Taking something threatening and making it sound utterly ridiculous is a kind of defense mechanism. It's taking the power from the actual bad thing. Comedy spaces, beyond whatever the hell is happening in Austin, tend to lean left. So in the face of a rising right-wing administration, absurdist humor makes sense. Silly gallows humor becomes the chaotic counterpart to the earnest optimism of, say, Parks and Recreation in the Obama era.

Paring a joke down to its barest grammatical parts sharpens the focus on what makes it funny in the first place. By stripping away anything extraneous — articles, conjunctions, even logic — the punchline hits faster and harder. It’s no accident that the best versions of these jokes target political figures and power structures. The absurdity of the language mirrors the absurdity of what it’s describing.

Or maybe this is just a whole article, hundreds of words, about funny things being funny. And maybe that’s enough. As an old friend said, "Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick?" 

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Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware M16 240Hz AMD Ryzen 9 7000 16GB RAM RTX 4080 1TB SSD Gaming Laptop $2,239.99 at Best Buy
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If you're after the heights of gaming power, this Alienware M16 deal is worth some consideration. While it's no longer the newest model on the block, this gaming laptop is loaded, with an RTX 4080 and 240Hz screen refresh times.

The M16 just went to clearance and got a discount of $560. Right now, get the Alienware M16 240Hz AMD Ryzen 9 7000 16GB RAM RTX 4080 1TB SSD Gaming Laptop for $2,239.99 and save 20%.

SEE ALSO: The best gaming laptops of 2025 for PC gamers

The M16 runs on an AMD Ryzen 9 7000 processor with 16GB of RAM. This processor is backed up by the aforementioned NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080. The 4080 is a few years behind now, but it was at the tip top of its game when it came out, and it's still extremely powerful today.

The laptop's powerful CPU and GPU are cooled with Alienware thermal design that's built to shed heat.

The computer wields a 1TB SSD, which can hold libraries of games, films, and music, all accessible in a flash. The M16's screen has a 2560 x 1600 resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate that will zip through competitive online play.

Right now, Apr. 14th, the Alienware M16 240Hz AMD Ryzen 9 7000 16GB RAM RTX 4080 1TB SSD Gaming Laptop is on sale for $2,239.99, saving you $560.

Primed for competitive online play and AAA games alike, this is an enthusiast-grade gaming laptop with exceptionally quick screen refresh times, powerful graphics processing, and more.

First the tariffs on electronics and computers were on. Then they were off. Now, they're back on again.

Let's try to break it down.

On Saturday, Mashable reported that certain goods from China were being exempted from President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's latest guidelines. These items included electronics and computers, such as smartphones, laptops, semiconductors, and flat-panel display modules.

Overall, Trump has placed a whopping 145 percent tariff on China and a 10 percent global tariff on most trading partners, leaving tech companies scrambling to adapt.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 tariff impacts: What we know so far

Yet before the weekend was over, the Trump administration had already walked back these exemptions. In an interview with This Week on ABC News, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed that the electronics exemptions were only temporary. Lutnick said that these goods would be included in a new semiconductor tariff that the Trump administration was preparing.

Later that day, Trump published a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, to provide more information on these tariffs.

"NOBODY is getting 'off the hook' for the unfair Trade Balances, and Non Monetary Tariff Barriers, that other Countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst!" Trump said. "There was no Tariff 'exception' announced on Friday."

Trump went on to say that smartphones and laptops are still subject to the 20 percent "Fentanyl Tariffs." Trump also confirmed that these goods will be moved to a "different tariff bucket," referencing Lutnick's mention of a semiconductor tariff.

"We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations," Trump continued.

Last week, an analysis from UBS Investment Research found that under the then-imposed tariffs on China, the cost of an iPhone 16 Pro Max 256 GB would rise by $675. The iPhone model, which currently retails for $1,199, would potentially be sold for $1,874 under Trump's tariffs.

As of now, it is unclear exactly what the semiconductor tariffs will look like, but it does seem like the weekend's exemption will be short-lived.

Keep checking Mashable for our latest tariff news and explainers, from delayed Nintendo Switch 2 preorders to reports of iPhone 16 panic buying.

Listening isn’t just about hearing the words someone’s saying to you—it’s about proving you value their voice. Listening well builds trust, strengthens relationships, and drives better results on your team. But even strong, well-intentioned leaders fall into these five common listening traps. Here’s how to avoid them. Haste. Good listening is a demanding task that […]

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If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 13 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 13 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Orange door hinge

The words are related like Orange and Door Hinge.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words rhyme with different colors, even if they look like they don't.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is ColorRhymes.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 13

• Hello

• Queen

• Spread

• Height

• Flew

• Plaque

• Pilot

• ColorRhymes

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 13 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: To take what's not yours

• Green: Marked by a teacher

• Blue: Used in Microsoft Word

• Purple: The second half is the same

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Steal

• Green: Attendance status

• Blue: Font-modifying words

• Purple: ___Berry

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #671 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Steal: NICK, PINCH, POCKET, SWIPE

• Attendance status: ABSENT, EXCUSED, LATE, PRESENT

• Font-modifying words: GOTHIC, ROMAN, SANS, TYPEWRITER

• ___Berry: CAPER, ELDER, GOOSE, LOGAN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 13

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for April 13 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 13, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To chuckle.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

LAUGH.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 13

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Are you a GNOME user wondering if your current Linux distro is the best way to experience the popular desktop environment? Do you want to test other distros but don't know where to start? Well, here are the top five Linux distros using GNOME that deserve your attention!

The official reveal of Nintendo Switch 2 details has come as a flurry, and all the information at once can be pretty hard to handle. Now that the dust has settled, there are a few things that are worth knowing about this console that were either glossed over in the main video, or relegated to supplementary material.

I've been quite skeptical of noise-canceling technology for years. My cheap earbuds did a decent job of passively blocking noise, so I figured Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) wasn't worth the extra cost. However, a quick test of ANC immediately changed my mind.

I fell in love with Monument Valley back when I first reviewed it for Android Police in 2014, and while it's not the kind of title I've spent a lot of time with since, it has spawned a love for similar types of games.

From the first announcement of the Switch 2, it's been a pretty universal assumption that the Nintendo Switch 2 would be backwards compatible with games from the Switch. Similar to the DS and 3DS, or Gamecube and Wii.

Bluetooth is pretty much omnipresent these days. It’s in our phones, our headphones, and yeah, even our cars. It’s supposed to be the ultimate convenience, but why do I still often reach for an aux cable instead?

Ubuntu may get the limelight a lot in Linux circles, but it has several cousins. One of them is Kubuntu Linux, and it has some unique qualities that might lead you to make it your primary operating system.

There are numerous ways to control most games, and, of course, you should pick the type of control scheme that works the best for you. However, I think a lot of people overlook the humble D-pad as an option—always opting for an analog stick.

Most of us have a piece of tech that's laughably outdated, but we still refuse to let it go for one reason or another. For me, it's an old 40-inch Sony Bravia TV I bought used back in 2018. I just can’t bring myself to let it go. Here’s why.

Apple's modern Mac lineup is one of the market's most power-efficient and powerful range of computers, but it's normal for older models to show signs of aging by slowing down. Like old age, it comes to us all eventually.

The specifics of President Donald Trump's tariffs have changed quite a bit over the past few days. Now, it looks like a whole host of electronics, including most smartphones, will be excluded from the new tariffs.

According to guidelines released Friday from Customs and Border Protection, there are 20 products that are exempt from the 125 percent tariff imposed on Chinese imports and also the updated 10 percent baseline tariff on imports from other countries. The updated guidance had nothing to say about the current 20 percent tariff on Chinese goods. The exempt products include smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and flat-panel display modules. China, meanwhile, raised tariffs on U.S. imports by 125%.

SEE ALSO: Updating: All the tariff price increases in the tech world so far

White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai told CNBC that "President Trump has made it clear America cannot rely on China to manufacture critical technologies such as semiconductors, chips, smartphones, and laptops."

"At the direction of the President, these companies are hustling to onshore their manufacturing in the United States as soon as possible," Desai said in the statement.

CNBC reported earlier this week that people panic-bought iPhones in response to the proposed 125 percent tariffs earlier this month, fearing they would be priced out of the tech once tariffs were put in place. Apple was anticipating major difficulties in response. This new tariff drop might be good news for Apple — at least for now.

When it comes to your homelab, there are two main technologies at play when it comes to running your services: virtual machines and Docker containers. Here's a breakdown of what makes them different, and which you should use in your homelab.