Skip to content

Table of Contents

The word for today is…

surly (adjective) -

1: menacing or threatening in appearance
2 obsolete : arrogant, imperious
3: irritably sullen and churlish in mood or manner : crabbed

Source : Merriam-Webster

Etymology : In its very earliest uses in the 16th century, surly meant "majestic" or "lordly." These early meanings make sense when you know that this word is an alteration of Middle English "serreli," which probably comes from "sire, ser," a title formerly used as a form of address for men of rank or authority. So how did a word with such lofty beginnings come to be associated with grumbling rudeness? Arrogant and domineering behavior is sometimes associated with men of rank or position, and "surly" came to mean "haughty" or "imperious." These meanings (which are now obsolete) led to the "rude" sense that is very common today.

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

Latest

Face of the Day

Face of the Day

Steve Gibson posted that he refused to attend the council’s strategic planning session on Wednesday because he was “not comfortable participating in council business where religious or spiritual practices form part of official proceedings”.

Members Public