Skip to content

Table of Contents

The word for today is…

malapert (adj) – Impudently bold in speech or manner; saucy.

(noun) – An impudent, saucy person.

Source : The Free Dictionary

Etymology : Malapert debuted in English in the 15th century, was a favorite of Shakespeare, and is still used sporadically today. The prefix mal-, meaning “bad” or “badly” and deriving from the Latin malus, is found in many English words, including malevolent and malefactor. The second half of malapert comes from the Middle English apert, meaning “open” or “frank.” Apert further derives from the Latin word apertus (“open”), which gave us our noun aperture (meaning “an opening”). Putting the two halves together gives us a word that describes someone or something that is open or honest in a bad way—that is, in a way that is rudely bold. The noun malapert also exists and means “a bold or impudent person.”

Latest

The Good Oil Daily Opinion Poll

The Good Oil Daily Opinion Poll

Take our Daily Opinion Poll and see how your views compare to other readers and then share the poll on social media. By sharing the poll you will help even more readers to discover The Good Oil.

Members Public
Damned if We Do... Or Don’t111

Damned if We Do... Or Don’t111

Some men have learned. They have done the work of unlearning the old rules: man up, harden up, don’t be soft. But some men are still learning. Not because they don’t feel deeply, but because they were taught to lock it down, praised for being tough and rewarded for being silent.

Members Public