When you hear or read me, you don't understand. But you speak and write me with ease

A hunter's game, A republic's name, A failure in jest, informally, I gobble up meanings, did you catch me?

A secret, a bonus or a joke, I appear though I don't belong, In films and games, I'm hidden neat, On holidays, I'm quite the treat,

A bought friend, I offer ears, Time I lend, for burdens and fears, But split me wrong, and you will find, A heinous figure among your kind

Nations have my utmost support, so do men with their seeds' export