The Critical Commentator

  "There are a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfil them in life [but] you get to No1 in the world and they're like, 'What's the point?' I really do believe that, because what is the point? Why do I want to win this tournament so bad? It's something that I wrestle with on a daily basis." John Locke (1632-1704) unknown artist Photo Credit: Yale Center for British Art [Public Domain] This was one quote from what will perhaps go down as the most frank, raw and profound press conference, well, ever. It involved Scottie Scheffler and if you are surprised as to the identity of the man who spoke the above words, join the club. Press conferences are typically forums that incubate banalities (I know: I've been to a few) but this was a brilliant golfer and reflective man pondering some of the deeper questions confronting someone who has spent most of his life - this brief illumination of existence that is all any of us gets - hitti...

  Sorry seems to be the hardest word, sang Elton John - but not for British people it appears, for whom it has 15 different uses (and only one of them expressing true regret). Linguists have analysed the context in which we say sorry and identified multiple meanings. They say it often causes confusion for foreign people moving to the UK, who take it as a literal apology rather than decoding what is truly being expressed. Frances Abington Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) Photo Credit: Yale Centre for British Art [Public Domain] Karen Grainger, a lecturer in linguistics at Sheffield Hallam University, says the word has become a reflex to be polite, soften disagreement, ease awkwardness and navigate social norms... The truly regretful meaning comes with someone being genuinely sorry to hear someone else's bad news and means they care what that person is going through. However, "sorry" can also be used in a passive aggressive way: "I'm sorry if I offended you", or ...

  The perfect earthenware mug, a hand soap bottle with nice font. Five minutes mindfulness on the garden bench in the morning (selfie optional). From bespoke WhatsApp groups and table settings, Spotify playlists to desk, drawer and fridge organising systems, we are no longer just living our lives but constantly "curating" them too. Still Life, Fruit William Duffield (1816-1863) Photo Credit: Victoria Art Gallery. [CC BY-NC-ND] Before my birthday at the weekend I curated a six-hour playlist that reflected  not only my life so far but how I wanted the arc of my party to play out. I dotted tables with sweetpeas in a collection of brown beer bottles curated from the recycling with that very purpose in mind. In the downstairs loo, more curation in the shape of a tomato leaf-scented candle... Self-indulgent or just making things nice? Showing off or hosting? Doing it for social media or because the wider world feels chaotic and here is a small way to restore order? Or fiddling whi...

  On a bright summer's day recently I found myself facing a quandary. Choosing a top and trousers to wear wasn't a problem, but my whole outfit was in danger of being derailed by a mis-step: the wrong socks. Portrait of a Young Girl with Tartan Socks William Ewart (c.1816 - after 1863) Photo Credit: Berwick Museum & Art Gallery   Should it be a pair that matched the rest of my outfit, or with a pattern that stood out? Did a frill look fussy, or bring just the right amount of detail? Was the fact they didn't have a four-letter word on them going to expose me as woefully out of touch? The only thing I was certain of is that they should be on show. Yes the young and the fashionable have known this for a while but for the rest of us it's taken time to notice the sock's shift to centre stage... My Guardian colleague Jess Carter-Morley says socks are fashion's "hottest topic of the decade", while Lynne Hugill, senior lecturer for the BA in fashion at Tee...

  Every dog has its day but so do cats, rabbits, parrots, hamsters and guinea pigs, according to new research which reveals that Britons are spending big on their pets' birthdays. Dog and Mallard Richard Ansdell (1815-1885) Photo Credit: Fylde Council Town Hall. [CC BY-NC-ND]  Almost two thirds of Britain's 22 million pet owners celebrate their animal's birthday or adoption day, the study found, spending an average of £121 to reach a combined £1.7 billion. The research found that new toys and gourmet food were the most popular presents, chosen by two thirds of owners, followed by a new bed or blanket. Half of owners bought a new collar, leash or other practical gift, and a similar proportion bought a personalised gift. Owners can, for example, have their cat's picture printed on a plush grey cushion for £25.95 or have their dog's face on a four-piece coaster set for £14.95. Those happy to pay a bit more can buy a custom portrait of their pet in military dress for £6...

  There was delight fro m observers as white smoke billowed out of the famous Vatican chimney, showing that the conclave of cardinals had finally made its decision and elected a new pope. But, within minutes of the result, there was uproar as their selection was challenged on Gospel Truth Social. A furious Donald Trump denounced the result as fake pews, claiming that the election had been "stolen" by crooked cardinals. "This is the biggest fraud in the history of pope-voting. The election was rigged! As it was last time when I was robbed by Sleepy Francis, the worst pope on record. Ever. Fact!" The Sleeping Congregation William Hogarth  (1697-1764) Photo Credit: Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery [Public Domain] There was pandemonium as Trump supporters stormed the Vatican, smashing stained glass windows and taking selfies of themselves sitting on the papal throne. One wore a cardinal's hat with bison horns and charged at the Swiss Guards, another st...