Word of the Day

Tinhorn is a noun that refers to someone who pretends to have money and influence. In the 19th century tin horns or cans were often used to shake dice. In time, our word of the day came to refer to people in the world of gambling who exaggerated their wealth and importance. Brad was something a tinhorn. He claimed to own millions of dollars worth of property, but in reality, he owed millions of do...

Anneal is a verb that means to harden or strengthen. Our word of the day has evolved from Old English and meant ‘to burn or bake.’ It usually describes a process that involved heating something up, then letting it cool down for the sake of having it harden. In time, the word simply came to refer to the process of letting something harden. For example: I hope to anneal the posts on my children’s bu...

Adhocracy is a noun that refers to a structure, usually a temporary one, designed to be flexible. The Latin term ad hoc, which translates into ‘to this’ is used to mean ‘when needed.’ So an ad hoc committee is a committee that was formed spontaneously because it was needed. The suffix C-R-A-C-Y is used to describe a form of rule — like democracy or autocracy. In the case of our word of the day, it...

Quagmire is a noun that refers to an awkward or difficult situation. Our word of the day combines two words ‘quag’ and ‘mire’ that refer to a boggy marsh. The word can be used to refer to an actual swamp into which a person may be in danger of sinking. Or it can refer to a metaphorical swamp that features the same danger. For example: the scandal became something of a quagmire for the Senator...

Mesmerism is a noun that refers to taking control of someone's personality. An 18th century Austrian physician named Franz Anton Mesmer developed a system of hypnotism. Our word of the day is used to describe Dr. Mesmer’s system, but, centuries after his death, it’s also used to describe the control of someone’s personality in general. For example: It was strange to watch the rock star’s entourage...

Satisfice is a verb that means to accept  or settle for any available option. Our word of the day is an alteration of the word ‘satisfy,’ which means ‘to meet expectations or desires.’ But when a person satisfices they settle for something that doesn’t meet expectations. Instead, they accept the best available option. When we were on the road, we often had only one run-down motel available to...

Apace is an adverb that means quickly or swiftly. Our word of the day has evolved from Middle English. A good way to understand its use is to say that it describes things happening ‘at a considerable pace.’ For example: With the deadline approaching, my work continued apace. Working quickly was the only way to get things done on time.

Aptonym is a noun that refers to a name that coincidentally describes a person’s profession. The suffix N-Y-M has evolved from the Greek word for ‘name.’ Our word of the day combines this with the word apt, which means ‘fitting’ or ‘appropriate.’ So if a person were named James Farmer, his surname would be an aptonym if he made a living in agriculture. One of the strangest things about the no...

Voluble is an adjective that means speaking rapidly or readily. Volvere (vole VAR ay) is the Latin word for ‘roll’ or ‘revolve.’ The meaning of this root word evolved over time into a number of English words like ‘revolver’ and ‘revolution.’ It has also evolved and re volved into our word of the day, which is generally used to describe someone whose speech rolls along fluidly and quickly. For exam...

Pervicacious is an adjective that means obstinate or extremely willful. The Latin word vincere (VEEN chair ay) means ‘win.’ Our word of the day combines this word with the prefix P-E-R, meaning ‘thoroughly.’ You could say that a pervicacious person is someone who is thoroughly committed to winning all the time. For example: Grandpa’s pervicacious rejection of new technology made it difficult to te...

Quiddity is a noun that refers to a distinctive feature. The Latin word Quidditas means ‘the essence of things.’ Our word of the day maintains this same basic meaning. James has a tendency to ramble on during his conversations, but this is just one of his quiddities. He simply wouldn’t be James without this habit.

Sine qua non is a noun that refers to an essential element. The literal translation of our word of the day is ‘without which not.’ This is a helpful way to understand how to use our word of the day. For example: at cooking school, we didn’t learn about the using the oven for the first three months. This didn’t make sense, because the oven is the sine qua non of the kitchen. You could say that with...

Provident is an adjective that means making provisions for the future. Our word of the day began in Latin and has evolved into English with the same pronunciation and meaning. When someone behaves in a provident fashion, they are preparing for the future in a prudent way. Growing up poor, my parents learned to be provident with their finances. They saved almost everything they earned.

Quisling is a noun that refers to one who collaborates with an enemy. Our word of the day comes from a Norwegian army officer who became known for collaborating with the German occupying forces during World War Two. His name evolved into a synonym of ‘traitor’ even before his death in 1945. Quisling is still used today in this same context. For example: A few of us spotted Donna having conversatio...

Penitent is an adjective that means feeling regret for past sins. Our word of the day takes its origin from Middle English where it meant ‘regretful.’ In its earliest incarnation, it was used often by the Catholic church, but penitent can refer to any kind of regret a person may have. For example: I felt penitent about my angry outburst at the bar and, in retrospect, I deeply regret lashing out at...

Colloquy is a noun that refers to a conversation. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word colloquium (coe LOW kwim) which means ‘conversation.’ The word has evolved into English, holding on to its same basic meaning. Colloquy is typically used in a formal context. For example: After our brief chat over a beer about the meaning of life, the four of us attended the theological conference where...

Superannuate is a verb that means to make or declare obsolete. The Latin prefix S-U-P-E-R means ‘over,’ while annus (AH noose) — a word related to ‘annual’ — means ‘year.’ When someone is superannuated in a workplace, they are sent into retirement. Being superannuated is something that can happen to an object as well as a person, for example: I can’t believe how much superannuated technology I was...

Apothegm is a noun that refers to a brief saying or aphorism. The Greek word apophthegma (ah poe THEG ma) translates literally into ‘something clearly stated.’ An apothegm is a saying that is not only clear but brief. My old English teacher would often finish each day with a terse, witty saying. But after a while it became clear that he had run out of apothegms and was just reading from fortune co...

Assiduous is an adjective that means showing great care. The Latin word assiduus (ah see DUECE) means ‘constant’ or ‘persistent.’ This word later evolved into our word of the day which is best used in a context that suggests constant care or attention to a particular goal. For example: I owe a great deal to the assiduous work of the medical staff. Without their around the clock care, I would never...

Boutade is a noun that refers to a sudden outburst. Our word of the day comes from a Middle French word that means ‘to thrust.’ When a person has a boutade, they often thrust a tirade on others. For example: The boutade Elaine delivered at the meeting hurt many people’s feelings. But in the end we all came to understand that these kinds of outbursts were common for her.

Pareidolia is a noun that refers to the tendency to interrupt something vague as meaningful. The Greek word eidolon (Ay ee DOE lee on) means ‘image’ or ‘shape.’ When a person sees significance in random images, they are engaging in pareidolia. For years, I looked at those odd spray painted images on our school wall and wondered if those who put it there were communicating in some strange language...

Ultracrepidarian is an adjective that means expressing opinions outside of one's knowledge. It can also be used as a noun that refers to a person who expresses opinion outside of ones knowledge. Our word of the day takes its origin from a Latin phrase that means ‘the cobbler should not judge beyond his shoe.’ Crepidam (CRAY pee dam) means ‘shoe.’ With ultracrpepidarian, the addition of the prefix...

Acculturate is a verb that means to assimilate to a different culture. The Latin word culture (cool TOUR ay) refers to growing or cultivating. It’s loosely related to the term agriculture, with refers to growing or cultivating fruits and vegetables. When a person acculturates, they allow themselves to be cultivated in ways that differ from the way they were initially raised. For example: After mov...

issement is a noun that refers to an enlightening explanation. The French term eclaircir (ee CLAIR seer) means ‘to clear up’ or ‘enlighten.’ An eclaircissement is an act of clearing something up or enlightening them. Robin’s eclaircissement of Mr. Harrington’s behavior helped me understand things much more clearly. I can now see exactly why he yelled at me every time I offered him scrambled eggs.

Insensate is an adjective that means unfeeling. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word sensus (SEN soos) which means ‘sense,’ a term that can mean many things depending on its context. Similarly, the word insensate, which means ‘lacking sense or feeling,’ can refer to someone lacking ‘common sense,’ lacking consciousness or lacking compassion, such as: I found Nina’s behavior after my accid...