We would be forgiven for hoping to catch a break after a three year Covid vortex. To my mind, the Collins Dictionary word of 2022: ‘Permacrisis’ perhaps sums up why ‘Splooting’ is also a thing. Or at least a chronic case of too-muchery vol 2.
Much has been said in the press about The Great Reshuffle, and we certainly saw very high stakes examples of leadership musical chairs this year.
There was ‘the’ new role for King Charles III following Queen Elizabeth II's passing; and a Prime Ministerial relay race from Johnson to Sunak, with the median of Truss's tenure being outlasted by an iceberg lettuce.
Elon Musk has punctuated his time as Chief Twit with a poll which may conclude his mandate as Twitter CEO, if he can find someone “crazy enough to take the job”. Odds are on media maven Cindy Gallop turning it around, if she wants to that is. How on earth do you wordsmith that job description?
Looking back, iconic 2022 moments include:
The striking image of lifelong competitors Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer holding hands in testament to their sparring mateship.
We witnessed the historic US Supreme Court appointment of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to assume the role. One of the most widely shared photos of the event, showed just how defining this visibility is.
And finally, former comedian turned tenacious and courageous President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy lauded as both the FT and Time's Person of the Year. A special shout out to the magnificent teamwork involved in secreting him from Kiev to Washington for a mere 10 hours under the cover of darkness at a critical war juncture…
What a wild 12 months it has been - which brings us to my word of the year: perma-splooting.
Chin chin to making it through regardless of what the year has thrown at us.
Christina Clark
For Workculturati