“Splooting” is one of the most influential words of 2022, according to dictionary publisher HarperCollins. The popularity of the term, which refers to when a dog or cat lies flat on its stomach with its hind legs stretched out behind it, may be due to animals being observed stretching out in a “sploot” during the heatwaves of 2022, said The Telegraph. The publisher of the Collins Dictionary named “permacrisis” as the word of the year. A spokesperson said the word “sums up quite succinctly just how truly awful 2022 has been for many people”.
The positive side of swearing revealed
Swearing can make us seem more persuasive, can have a positive impact on relationships, can help us deal with road rage and ease our perception of pain, according to a new study. Researchers from the UK and Sweden, who examined 100 academic papers on swearing said we should “reconsider the nature and power” of swearing. “It seems that the Sex Pistols were right when they said ‘never mind the bollocks’”, said The Times.
Happy marriage helps your heart
A happy marriage helps heart attack patients make a faster recovery, found scientists at Yale University. After examining 1,593 married adults with an average age of 47 who were treated for a heart attack at 103 hospitals across the United States, the experts found that the patients with the unhappiest marriages were 50% more likely to be readmitted to hospital for any reason over the next year. About 100,000 people are “admitted to UK hospitals each year with heart attacks”, according to The Times.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For more odd news stories, sign up to the weekly Tall Tales newsletter.
-
Pope Leo wants to change the Vatican’s murky financesThe Explainer Leo has been working to change some decisions made by his predecessor
-
October books: an academic analysis of Taylor Swift and the solution to your digital addictionThe Week Recommends This month's new releases include ‘Taylor’s Version’ by Stephanie Burt, ‘Enshittification’ by Cory Doctorow and ‘Minor Black Figures’ by Brandon Taylor
-
Auto loans: Trouble in the subprime economyFeature The downfall of Tricolor Holdings may reflect the growing financial strain low-income Americans are facing
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieveIN THE SPOTLIGHT After an outcry from the public and animal rights activists, India's Supreme Court walks back a controversial plan to round the city's stray dog population into shelters
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
