Skip to content

The word for today is…

flamboyant (adjective, noun) -

adjective
1: marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior that attracts attention
2 often Flamboyant : characterized by waving curves suggesting flames

noun
: royal poinciana - a showy Madagascan tree (Delonix regia synonym Poinciana regia) widely planted for its immense racemes of scarlet and orange flowers

Source : Merriam-Webster

Etymology : Associate the word flamboyant with bananas flambé and the word’s fiery etymology will be seared in your mind. Flamboyant, which was borrowed into English from French in the 19th century, can be traced back to the Old French word flambe, meaning “flame.” In its earliest uses flamboyant referred to an ornate style of Gothic architecture popular in France and Spain, which featured waving curves suggestive of flames. Eventually, the word developed a more general second sense for anything eye-catching or showy. And of course, flambe is also the origin of the English adjective flambé, which describes food flamboyantly dressed or served with flaming liquour.

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

Latest

Cartoon: Christopher Luxon beams and waves from the steps of a plane to APEC while his caucus waves him off below, each MP hiding a knife behind their back.

Roll Him While He’s in Shenzhen

Jenny Shipley gathered the numbers while Jim Bolger was at CHOGM. Christopher Luxon is flying to Shenzhen before the specials are in. I wouldn’t be leaving if I were him.

Members Public
A Journey of Broken Promises

A Journey of Broken Promises

Do we want a country governed by economic theories, political slogans and ideological loyalty? Or do we want one governed by practical experience, financial competence, compassion and a genuine understanding of the people who live here?

Members Public