Skip to content

The word for today is…

harangue (noun, verb)

noun
1: a speech addressed to a public assembly
2: a ranting speech or writing
3: lecture

intransitive verb
: to make a harangue, declaim

transitive verb
: to address in a harangue

Source : Merriam -Webster

Etymology : In Old Italian, the verb aringare meant “to speak in public,” the noun aringo referred to a public assembly, and the noun aringa referred to a public speech. Aringa was borrowed into Middle French as arenge, and it is from this form that we get our noun harangue, which made its first appearance in English in the 16th century with that same “public speech” meaning. Perhaps due to the bombastic or exasperated nature of some public speeches, the term quickly developed an added sense referring to a forceful or angry speech or piece of writing, making it a synonym of rant. By the mid-17th century, the verb harangue made it possible to harangue others with such speech or writing.

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

Latest

Cartoon: Christopher Luxon and a bald Chris Hipkins tug over a single comb in a parliamentary lobby while David Seymour leans on a pillar, arms folded, smirking.

Reality Wants Its Money Back

David Seymour has called the government’s path to surplus “heroic”, four days before National shows its fiscal plan. When the junior partner says that about your books, believe him.

Members Public