maelstrom \ ˈmāl-strəm , -ˌsträm\ noun1. a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides) 2. a state of confusion or turmoil_________The word maelstrom has appeared in 51 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on May 2 in the Opinion essay “The Official British Policy? Mayhem” by Roger Cohen:The country’s main political parties, the Conservatives and Labour, buffeted by the Brexit maelstrom, are in crisis — beset by desertions, insurrections and division. As elsewhere in Western democracies shaken by the failings of liberalism, hard-line factions to the left and right have gained sway. They offer rekindled socialism or make-Britain-great-again nationalism as the answer to inequality and ennui.

Source: New York Times May 15, 2019 06:00 UTC