News from January 31–February 6, 2026
Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding. Stories about a sad horse plushie, the secret to living past 100, and predictions for the start of spring all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news.
amnesty
noun: a general pardon for offenses, especially political ones
From the headlines: Venezuela announced an amnesty plan that could lead to the release of hundreds of political prisoners, some of whom have been imprisoned for over two decades. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said she would propose a law to pardon activists, journalists, and protesters who have been incarcerated between 1999 and 2026 for speaking out against the authoritarian government.
baroque
adjective: extravagantly ornate, florid, and convoluted in character or style
From the headlines: Starting this week, people visiting Rome’s Trevi Fountain have to pay a fee of two euros to get up close to the 18th-century masterpiece. For centuries, tourists have made a wish while tossing a coin in the baroque fountain, which is carved from Travertine stone and features grand, dramatic figures including the god Oceanus. The Trevi Fountain was designed by baroque architect Giuseppe Pannini and completed in 1762.
emblematic
adjective: pertaining to something that represents an abstract idea; symbolic
From the headlines: A batch of frowny-faced horse plushies, the result of a factory mistake, has become emblematic of workplace stress and exhaustion in China. The stuffed animals were manufactured for the Year of the Fire Horse and meant to be cheerful and celebratory, but their upside-down smiles turned them into a popular mascot for burnt-out office workers. On social media, the “crying horse” perfectly captured the mood of overworked employees.
exacerbate
verb: to increase the severity or bitterness of something; aggravate
From the headlines: Scientists have learned that as algae grows on Greenland’s ice and snow, it creates “dark zones” that exacerbate melting. The brownish-gray patches of algae, which reproduce faster and faster as the climate warms, block the ice from reflecting the sun, instead causing it to absorb the light and melt faster. Researchers say algae is just one of many factors threatening Greenland’s ice sheet.
flora
noun: the plants of a particular region or period
From the headlines: In Chile, a network of seed banks is working to protect the country’s rich flora. They’re collecting bulbs and seeds from thousands of plant species, nearly half of which are found nowhere else, to safeguard them from climate disasters, war, and other threats.
Fun fact: The word flora comes from the Roman goddess of flowers, whose name traces back to a root meaning “to blossom.”
lexicon
noun: the vocabulary of a particular language, field, social class, person, etc.
From the headlines: Korean pop culture is booming in the U.S., and more fans are learning the language. A few Korean phrases in “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters, for example, are inspiring fans to expand their Korean lexicon. As interest in KPop hits and Korean TV shows grows, one language app has seen a 22% jump in Korean learners over the past year.
longevity
noun: the length or duration of life
From the headlines: Researchers have found that genes have the strongest influence on longevity, even more than lifestyle. By studying the siblings of 444 Americans who lived past 100, scientists found that people with long-lived relatives are more likely to enjoy longer lives themselves. For centenarians in particular, reaching extreme longevity appears to be largely hereditary, rather than the result of diet, exercise, or habits.
prognosticate
verb: to forecast or predict the future from present indications or signs
From the headlines: In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on February 2, the famous groundhog saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. The legendary rodent is known for annually prognosticating the upcoming weather as thousands of spectators look on. Bad news for cold-weather haters: He’s much more likely to predict a long winter than an early spring.
simulated
adjective: imitated; feigned
From the headlines: A “wet dress rehearsal” (where the rocket is fueled but engines aren’t ignited) for the Artemis II moon mission featured a countdown clock and a simulated liftoff. This prelaunch test let NASA engineers run through a practice launch that closely mimicked real conditions. Four astronauts are set to travel around the moon with Artemis II, currently scheduled for March.
virtuoso
noun: a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field
From the headlines: At the Grammy Awards on February 1, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny won album of the year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, the first Spanish-language record to earn the top prize. The musical virtuoso is set to make more history this weekend as the first artist to perform a Superbowl halftime show entirely in Spanish. Critics have praised his creativity and skill, noting music that spans Latin trap, reggaeton, R&B, hip-hop, and more.
