What is this...

[curosfrog]

and how do we get rid of it? pops up when messaging. You can shrink it down but I can't get rid of it

 

[!!!]

Ha, looks like Apple is trying to emulate a Touch Bar on iPads now. I believe previously there was a QuickType bar that shows up on iPads when you're using a real keyboard, just looks like now it's a floater.

 

[SpaceGrayAlways]

For me it shows when I am using an external keyboard with the iPad. Works similar to what would be (by default) above your digital keyboard on iPadOS when typing.

 

[chabig]

how do we get rid of it?

Turn it off in Settings > General > Keyboard > Predictive.