Is there a requirement that The Ringer can only hire writers that use the word “dope?” I thought maybe I was imagining things but a quick search shows that Sam Donsky, Shea Serrano, Jason Concepcion, Lindsay Zoladz, Matt Borcas, Alison Herman, Allison P. Davis, Kevin Clark, Sam Schube, Alyssa Bereznak, Rob Harvilla, Victor Luckerson, Matt Borcas, Chris Ryan, Chris DeVille, Michael Baumann and Claire McNear have all referred to things as being dope in the last few months. There are probably more examples but I got tired of looking.

Is this an editorial mandate or something? Is it an LA/Brooklyn thing? I’ve obviously heard it before but never so often. It kind of seems forced to me, too. Kind of like when your dad is trying to be “hip.” I don’t know why it annoys me, but it does. Am I alone in this? Am I crazy (well, the answer is probably yes, but just for other things)?