Qi

When:

Lookups spiked on December 27, 2011.

Why:

Because qi is such a handy move in certain word games, we can only speculate that lookups were driven by all the people relaxing at home with Scrabble this holiday season, or perhaps (slow week at the office) relaxing at work with online word games.

Qi, a variant of chi, is "vital energy that is held to animate the body internally and is of central importance in some Eastern systems of medical treatment (as acupuncture) and of exercise or self-defense (as tai chi)."

Many people who look it up after their opponent plays it are probably surprised, and perhaps also annoyed, to see it really is a word.

Either way, here's wishing you a New Year full of health, happiness, and vital energy.