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China’s critics seize on fringe theory of virus

There’s no evidence for it, and scientists dismiss it. But a rumor about the coronavirus has nevertheless gained traction: that the outbreak was somehow manufactured by the Chinese government as part of a biowarfare program.

Davos Potpourri, Day 2: The Party Never Ends
To understand the World Economic Forum, you have to take in the first-hand accounts of the snowbound elite, as related through a barrage of Twitter messages from reporters and others involved in the conference.

Niche Sites Going After eBay

A host of Web sites like Gazelle and Glyde are gaining traction based on the premise that they make online buying and selling easier than eBay.

Economic Advisers Warn of No Quick Turnarounds By BRIAN KNOWLTON
It will take time for the administration’s rescue efforts to gain serious traction, a top Obama adviser acknowledged.

WSJ
GM: Turnaround Has Traction
GM expects high fuel prices and weak consumer confidence to weigh on domestic sales this year, but the auto maker said its long-term turnaround plan is exceeding expectations "on virtually all counts."

fringe (EDGE)
noun [C]
the outer or less important part of an area, group or activity:
the southern fringe of the city
the radical fringes of the party

fringe
verb
be fringed with sth If a place is fringed with something, that thing forms a border along the edge:
The river is fringed with wild flowers.

traction

traction noun [U] (ACCEPTANCE)

the fact of an idea, product, etc. becoming popular or being accepted:

In our digital age, it takes less time for new words and phrases to gain traction than it did in the past.

traction (HOLDING)
noun [U]
the ability of a wheel or tyre to hold the ground without sliding:
In deep snow, people should use snow tyres on their vehicles to give them better traction.

traction (PULLING)
noun [U] SPECIALIZED
1 the pulling of a heavy load over a surface, or the power used in this:
steam traction

2 a form of medical treatment which involves using special equipment to pull gently an injured part of the body, especially an arm or leg, for a long period of time:
After her hip operation poor Mira was in/on traction for six weeks.