Table of Contents
The word for today is…
prestidigitation (noun):
: sleight of hand, legerdemain
Source : Merriam -Webster
Etymology : The secret to performing magic tricks is all in the hands-or at least, that’s what is suggested by the etymologies of prestidigitation and its two synonyms legerdemain and sleight of hand. The French word preste (from Italian presto) means “quick” or “nimble,” and the Latin word digitus means “finger.” Put them together and-presto!-you’ve got prestidigitation. Similarly, legerdemain was conjured up from the Middle French phrase leger de main, which translates to “light of hand.” The third term, sleight of hand, involves the least etymological hocus-pocus; it simply joins “hand” with sleight, meaning “dexterity.”
If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.
