Skip to content

The word for today is…

monger (noun, verb):

noun
1: broker, dealer - usually used in combination

2: a person who attempts to stir up or spread something that is usually petty or discreditable - usually used in combination

verb
: peddle

Source : Merriam -Webster

Etymology : Peddlers (especially fish merchants) have been called mongers for more than 1000 years. The term traces to a Latin noun meaning "trader." Initially, it was an honourable term, but every profession has its bad apples, and the snake-oil salesmen of the bunch gave monger a bad reputation. By the middle of the 16th century, the term often implied that a merchant was dishonourable and contemptible. Nowadays, monger is typically appended to another word to identify a trader of a particular type. Some combinations (such as fishmonger) suggest respectable commerce, whereas others (such as rumourmonger, scandalmonger, and hypemonger) imply that a person is trading or spreading information in a careless or deceptive manner.

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

Latest