The word for today is… billingsgate (noun) – Foul, abusive language. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : From its beginnings during the time of the Roman occupation, the Billingsgate fish market in London, England, has been notorious for the crude language that has resounded through its stalls. In fact, the fish merchants
The word for today is… belle epoque (noun) – An era of artistic and cultural refinement in a society, especially in France from the late 19th century until the beginning of World War I. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : In the years before World War I, France experienced a period of
The word for today is… acquiesce (verb) – To consent or comply passively or without protest. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Acquiesce means essentially “to comply quietly,” so it should not surprise you to learn that it is ultimately derived from the Latin verb qui?scere, meaning “to be quiet.” It
The word for today is… phantasm (noun) – 1. Something apparently seen but having no physical reality; a phantom or an apparition. Also called phantasma. 2. An illusory mental image. Also called phantasma. 3. In Platonic philosophy, objective reality as perceived and distorted by the five senses. Source : The Free Dictionary
The word for today is… sobriquet (noun) – 1. An affectionate or humorous nickname. 2. An assumed name. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : This synonym of nickname has the same meaning in modern French as it does in English. In Middle French, however, its earlier incarnation soubriquet referred to both a
The word for today is… posthaste (adj) – With great speed; rapidly. (noun) – (Archaic) Great speed; rapidity. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : In the 16th century, the phrase “haste, post, haste” was used to inform posts (as couriers were then called) that a letter was urgent and must be hastily delivered.
The word for today is… teleological (noun) – 1. The philosophical interpretation of natural phenomena as exhibiting purpose or design. 2. The use of ultimate purpose or design as a means of explaining phenomena. 3. Belief in or the perception of purposeful development toward an end, as in history. Source : The
The word for today is… comity (noun) – 1. An atmosphere of social harmony. 2. (Law) The principle by which a court in one jurisdiction defers to a court in another jurisdiction where either would have legal power to decide the case, or gives effect to the laws, executive acts, or
The word for today is… officious (adj) – Meddlesome; intrusive in an offensive manner. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Don’t mistake officious for a rare synonym of official. Both words stem from the Latin noun officium (meaning “service” or “office”), but they have very different meanings. When the suffix -osus
The word for today is… wassail (noun) – 1. (a) A salutation or toast given in drinking someone’s health or as an expression of goodwill at a festivity. (b) The drink used in such toasting, commonly ale or wine spiced with roasted apples and sugar. 2. A festivity characterised by
The word for today is… Noachian (adj) – 1. (Bible) Of or relating to Noah or his time. 2. Antiquated; ancient; long obsolete. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Students of the Bible know that Noah survived the Great Flood by stowing himself, his family, and male and female specimens of every
The word for today is… lyric (adj) – 1. (a) Of or relating to a category of poetry that expresses subjective thoughts and feelings, often in a songlike style or form. (b) Relating to or constituting a poem in this category, such as a sonnet or ode. (c) Of or relating
The word for today is… lackadaisical (adj) – 1. Characterised by a lack of effort, care, or involvement. 2. Lacking enthusiasm or interest; listless; casually lazy. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : las, alack, there are times when life seems to be one unfortunate occurrence after another. We’ve all had days
The word for today is… inculcate (verb) – 1. To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instil. 2. To teach (others) by frequent instruction or repetition; indoctrinate: Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : 1540s, from Latin inculcatus, past participle of inculcare “force upon, insist; stamp in,
The word for today is… incongruous (adj) – 1. Lacking in harmony; incompatible. 2. Not in agreement, as with principles; inconsistent. 3. Not in keeping with what is correct, proper, or logical. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Incongruous is a spin-off of its antonym, congruous, which means “in agreement, harmony, or
The word for today is… gambit (noun) – 1. An opening in chess in which the player risks one or more minor pieces, usually a pawn, in order to gain a favorable position. 2. A maneouvre, stratagem, or opening remark, especially one intended to bring about a desired result. Source : The
