The Spectator

Barometer: How many of today’s Ukippers voted Tory in 2010? 

Plus: Centenarian hammer throwers; porn popularity; will the selfie join the smackhead? 

issue 23 November 2013

Brave new words

‘Selfie’ was declared to be Oxford Dictionaries’ ‘word of the year’. It hasn’t, however, yet been added to the Oxford English Dictionary. These are some of the words which have been added over the past year (and which have been around a surprisingly long time): Bag woman, n; Campsite, n; Grey zone, n; Handover, n; Hand-wash, v; Headbang, v; Knobhead, n; Low-lifer, n; Smackhead, n

Funny old games

The Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar retired aged 40 after playing 200 test matches. What sport should you choose if you want a long career?

oldest competitor at national

or international event

Athletics Everett Hosack – threw hammer part in US national indoor championships aged 101 in 2002 (though in an age category reserved for the over 100s) Golf Jerry Barber – played on PGA tour aged 77 in 1994 Cricket Wilfred Rhodes – retired from Yorkshire aged 52 in 1930 Football Stanley Matthews – retired from Stoke City aged 50 in 1965 Tennis Martina Navratilova — played in doubles at Wimbledon aged 49 in 2006

The great divide

Paul Sykes pledged money to Ukip, leading some to fear that the right-wing vote will be split at the next election.

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