HarperCollins finds new language is being used to reflect what has been a challenging year for many
Pets can often leave their owners at a loss for words, and normal vocabulary may seem inadequate to describe the eccentricities of our beloved cats and dogs.
So, while it may never be heard on Crufts or the latest documentary by Sir David Attenborough, a new term has emerged which captures one particular oddity of animal behaviour.
What is it called when a dog or cat lies flat on its stomach with its hind legs stretched out behind it? The correct term for this is “splooting”, according to experts, and it is among the most influential words of 2022.
Splooting has been named as one of the words of the year by dictionary publisher HarperCollins, which measured a surge in usage online and in print media as the new term gained popularity among pet owners and animal lovers.