Skip to content

The word for today is…

lionise (verb):

: to treat as an object of great interest or importance

Source : Merriam -Webster

Etymology : It is perhaps no surprise that humans have long projected qualities of bravery and regality upon the proverbial “king of the beasts.” It is precisely those and similar admirable qualities that led, in the 18th century, to lion being used for a person who is similarly well-regarded, especially after a long and distinguished career in a particular field, as in “lion of Parliament,” or “literary lion.” This sense of lion imbues the verb lionise, which first appeared in English in the early 19th century to apply to acts of treating someone as, perhaps, deserving of roaring applause.

If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.

Latest

The India Deal We Never Voted For

The India Deal We Never Voted For

Trade should benefit NZ first. Immigration policy should serve the long-term stability of the nation, not the short-term political vanity of ministers. If we keep pretending those two things are unrelated, we should not be surprised when the NZ we wake up to feels less and less like home.

Members Public