Skip to content

Table of Contents

The word for today is…

garble (verb, noun):

verb
1a: to so alter or distort as to create a wrong impression or change the meaning
b: to introduce textual error into (a message) by inaccurate encipherment, transmission, or decipherment
2: to sift impurities from
3 archaic : cull

noun
1: an act or an instance of garbling
2: the impurities removed from spices in sifting

Source : Merriam -Webster

Etymology : It is presumed that this word was passed from Arabic to Mediterranean Europe through trade in Eastern spices, and was first introduced into English from the Anglo-French verb garbeler, used for the action of sifting out impurities—such as dust, dirt, husks, etc.—from spices. In the 15th century, the English garble carried this same meaning as well as "to cull," i.e., to sort or pick out the best parts of something. If these origins seem curious given garble’s now more common meanings of "to so alter or distort as to create a wrong impression" and "to cause to be unclear or confusing; to introduce error into," consider that one way of garbling someone’s story is to take bits and pieces out of context.

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

“It could well be that critical minerals are needed for hearing aids. And I rather fear, Mr Speaker, that hearing aids are needed for the member from Western Māori sitting to my right” – Minister Shane Jones.

Members Public
The Good Oil Word of the Day

The Good Oil Word of the Day

The word for today is… verbose (adjective) - 1: containing more words than necessary : wordy, also : impaired by wordiness 2: given to wordiness Source : Merriam-Webster Etymology : There's no shortage of words to describe wordiness in English. Diffuse, long-winded, prolix, redundant, windy, repetitive, rambling, and circumlocutory are some that

Members Public