Good evening.
In a distraction from today’s events, the acting head of WORD, the Worldwide Order for Resurrecting worDs, Saltanby Thimblefrith, has announced the decision to retire the word distraction.

Taking effect from 1st July 2026, the word distraction will start to disappear from books and dictionaries around the world.
The UK and neighbouring countries will be the first to see the diminished use, followed by the rest of Europe, and then the rest of the world.
Thimblefrith insists the transition away from distraction will be easy, and pretty much the same as the word quasiwobble, which was totally removed from use worldwide in 2025.
Distraction will be replaced by the words interlude or openness.
Thimblefrith insists language and life in general will be much better without distraction.
He also advises words to be resurrected in August this year include overmorrow (the day after tomorrow) and throttlebottom (harmless incompetence in public office).
For now, however, distraction is very much a word in use and WORD recommends everyone tries to notice when it is being used, for old time’s sake. When it is gone and replaced by openness things will never be the same again.

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