The year has become so maligned that Twitter is awash with posts listing the strange and terrible things that 2016 can be compared to

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

For many people 2016, which brought the planet Brexit, the Donald Trump election victory, the deaths of Prince, David Bowie and Leonard Cohen and the brief union that was Twiddleswift, has not been the greatest of years.

In fact, the year has become so maligned that Twitter is now awash with scores of posts listing the strange and terrible things that the last 11 months can be compared to.

Among the suggested metaphors for 2016 are a boy being knocked over by an uncooperative wheelie bin, two bald eagles stuck in a drain and the death of Courage, the Thanksgiving turkey pardoned by Barack Obama in 2009.



Here, we collate some of the most poignant:

Asif (@aok5557) A bald eagle trapped in a sewer pretty much sums up America in 2016. #notmypresident pic.twitter.com/Ib1ta7tv91

Matthew Rhodie (@matthewrhodie) Another metaphor for 2016?https://t.co/IqefJcQK9Y

Mark Medina (@Mark_Medina) This Kid Battling This Trashcan Is A Metaphor For 2016 https://t.co/L4V0cvZ3TQ via @ebaumsworld

In this one, a crab rips its own arm off.

Snapbot Hunter (@harryhendel) A metaphor for 2016 https://t.co/SSgfYULB1B

And here, a polar bear pats a dog - and then eats it.

Agatha (@aie2009) This seems like a metaphor for life lately #2016 https://t.co/8P7bH49M7w

In more animal news, two moose were found frozen in a lake, locked in combat.

Shelby Hintze (@shelbs25) This is the best metaphor for 2016 I've seen yet. https://t.co/kYPkvB5GBI

Tom the Iron Man (@SgtHarvey) I love cats omg RT @cabel: My cat has devised the perfect metaphor for the year 2016 pic.twitter.com/bJIgmvKXjN

Stiles White (@StilesWhite) The perfect metaphor for 2016. pic.twitter.com/GVYjvj7O6Y

2017 - you have a lot to live up to.