@imjohn.bsky.social
Today's word is "mulct".
meaning "to punish a person, for an offence, by a fine" or "to exact money from" or "to tax" or "to subject to a penalty of any kind" or "to deprive or divest of" or "to obtain or exact of a person (or a person's supply) of money" or "to obtain by deceit or extortion".
meaning "to punish a person, for an offence, by a fine" or "to exact money from" or "to tax" or "to subject to a penalty of any kind" or "to deprive or divest of" or "to obtain or exact of a person (or a person's supply) of money" or "to obtain by deceit or extortion".
October 3, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Today's word is "mulct".
meaning "to punish a person, for an offence, by a fine" or "to exact money from" or "to tax" or "to subject to a penalty of any kind" or "to deprive or divest of" or "to obtain or exact of a person (or a person's supply) of money" or "to obtain by deceit or extortion".
meaning "to punish a person, for an offence, by a fine" or "to exact money from" or "to tax" or "to subject to a penalty of any kind" or "to deprive or divest of" or "to obtain or exact of a person (or a person's supply) of money" or "to obtain by deceit or extortion".
Today the word is “mammothrept” which means either “a spoiled child” or “a person of immature judgement”.
In Patrick O'Brian's book “Master and Commander”, the author writes: “...and having seen the parents I am impatient to see this youth...will he be a wretched mammothrept?”
In Patrick O'Brian's book “Master and Commander”, the author writes: “...and having seen the parents I am impatient to see this youth...will he be a wretched mammothrept?”
October 2, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Today the word is “mammothrept” which means either “a spoiled child” or “a person of immature judgement”.
In Patrick O'Brian's book “Master and Commander”, the author writes: “...and having seen the parents I am impatient to see this youth...will he be a wretched mammothrept?”
In Patrick O'Brian's book “Master and Commander”, the author writes: “...and having seen the parents I am impatient to see this youth...will he be a wretched mammothrept?”
Here's a few interesting words: "Dasypygal" means “having hairy buttocks”.
To be "cornobbled" is “to be hit with a fish” (I kid you not).
A "twiddlepoop" is “an effeminate looking man”.
“Toxophily" is “a love of archery”.
A "wem" is “a stain, flaw, or scar”.
To be "cornobbled" is “to be hit with a fish” (I kid you not).
A "twiddlepoop" is “an effeminate looking man”.
“Toxophily" is “a love of archery”.
A "wem" is “a stain, flaw, or scar”.
October 1, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Here's a few interesting words: "Dasypygal" means “having hairy buttocks”.
To be "cornobbled" is “to be hit with a fish” (I kid you not).
A "twiddlepoop" is “an effeminate looking man”.
“Toxophily" is “a love of archery”.
A "wem" is “a stain, flaw, or scar”.
To be "cornobbled" is “to be hit with a fish” (I kid you not).
A "twiddlepoop" is “an effeminate looking man”.
“Toxophily" is “a love of archery”.
A "wem" is “a stain, flaw, or scar”.
Today's word is "augean": “extremely difficult” or “unpleasant” and/or “filthy”.
After King Augeas (Greek mythology). Augeas had 3000 oxen, but he neglected to clean his stables for 30 years. Hercules cleaned them by diverting two rivers to wash away the filth (or compost, if you will).
After King Augeas (Greek mythology). Augeas had 3000 oxen, but he neglected to clean his stables for 30 years. Hercules cleaned them by diverting two rivers to wash away the filth (or compost, if you will).
September 30, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Today's word is "augean": “extremely difficult” or “unpleasant” and/or “filthy”.
After King Augeas (Greek mythology). Augeas had 3000 oxen, but he neglected to clean his stables for 30 years. Hercules cleaned them by diverting two rivers to wash away the filth (or compost, if you will).
After King Augeas (Greek mythology). Augeas had 3000 oxen, but he neglected to clean his stables for 30 years. Hercules cleaned them by diverting two rivers to wash away the filth (or compost, if you will).
Today's word is "custos morum": a "guardian of morals" or a "censor". Think uninformed and unstudied prudishness, self-righteousness, and a penchant for judgemental decisions. The “custos morum" is quick to burn books, diminish arts, silence authors, all in an attempt to protect us from ourselves.
September 28, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Today's word is "custos morum": a "guardian of morals" or a "censor". Think uninformed and unstudied prudishness, self-righteousness, and a penchant for judgemental decisions. The “custos morum" is quick to burn books, diminish arts, silence authors, all in an attempt to protect us from ourselves.
Today's word is "carroty", which is to say "annoyed", or "angry", or "the feeling one has after a scolding or an embarrassing mishap". An old saying (late 1800s) which states "smart as a carrot" used to be quite common and means "very smart indeed".
September 25, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Today's word is "carroty", which is to say "annoyed", or "angry", or "the feeling one has after a scolding or an embarrassing mishap". An old saying (late 1800s) which states "smart as a carrot" used to be quite common and means "very smart indeed".
Today's word is "evanesce".
Not to be confused with effervesce, this word means "to fade slowly".
For instance, while champagne effervesces, a sunset "evanesces".
I hope your day is punctuated, at it's end, with "evanscentuality" (ahhhh, there... that's the stuff).
Not to be confused with effervesce, this word means "to fade slowly".
For instance, while champagne effervesces, a sunset "evanesces".
I hope your day is punctuated, at it's end, with "evanscentuality" (ahhhh, there... that's the stuff).
September 24, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Today's word is "evanesce".
Not to be confused with effervesce, this word means "to fade slowly".
For instance, while champagne effervesces, a sunset "evanesces".
I hope your day is punctuated, at it's end, with "evanscentuality" (ahhhh, there... that's the stuff).
Not to be confused with effervesce, this word means "to fade slowly".
For instance, while champagne effervesces, a sunset "evanesces".
I hope your day is punctuated, at it's end, with "evanscentuality" (ahhhh, there... that's the stuff).
Today's word is "mendacity"; meaning either "the quality of being untruthful” or “a tendency to lie" or "a lie".
Dating from around the 1540s, and coming from Latin "mendac", stem of "mendax" (lying), from "mendum" (fault or defect) that also gave us “amend”, “emend”, and “mendicant”.
Dating from around the 1540s, and coming from Latin "mendac", stem of "mendax" (lying), from "mendum" (fault or defect) that also gave us “amend”, “emend”, and “mendicant”.
September 18, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Today's word is "mendacity"; meaning either "the quality of being untruthful” or “a tendency to lie" or "a lie".
Dating from around the 1540s, and coming from Latin "mendac", stem of "mendax" (lying), from "mendum" (fault or defect) that also gave us “amend”, “emend”, and “mendicant”.
Dating from around the 1540s, and coming from Latin "mendac", stem of "mendax" (lying), from "mendum" (fault or defect) that also gave us “amend”, “emend”, and “mendicant”.
Today's word is "pluvious".
In Spanish "lluvioso" or the older version "pluvioso", and in Italian "pluvioso" or, more usually "piovoso".
Whew!
OK... it all can be summed up as meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by rain” or “full of or bearing rain or moisture” or, simply, “rainy”.
In Spanish "lluvioso" or the older version "pluvioso", and in Italian "pluvioso" or, more usually "piovoso".
Whew!
OK... it all can be summed up as meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by rain” or “full of or bearing rain or moisture” or, simply, “rainy”.
September 17, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Today's word is "pluvious".
In Spanish "lluvioso" or the older version "pluvioso", and in Italian "pluvioso" or, more usually "piovoso".
Whew!
OK... it all can be summed up as meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by rain” or “full of or bearing rain or moisture” or, simply, “rainy”.
In Spanish "lluvioso" or the older version "pluvioso", and in Italian "pluvioso" or, more usually "piovoso".
Whew!
OK... it all can be summed up as meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by rain” or “full of or bearing rain or moisture” or, simply, “rainy”.
Today's word is "petrichor".
This is “a pleasant, distinctive smell frequently accompanying the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather in certain regions”.
Also: an oily liquid mixture of organic compounds which collects in the ground and is believed to be responsible for this smell.
This is “a pleasant, distinctive smell frequently accompanying the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather in certain regions”.
Also: an oily liquid mixture of organic compounds which collects in the ground and is believed to be responsible for this smell.
September 16, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Today's word is "petrichor".
This is “a pleasant, distinctive smell frequently accompanying the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather in certain regions”.
Also: an oily liquid mixture of organic compounds which collects in the ground and is believed to be responsible for this smell.
This is “a pleasant, distinctive smell frequently accompanying the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather in certain regions”.
Also: an oily liquid mixture of organic compounds which collects in the ground and is believed to be responsible for this smell.
Today's word is "thrang"; which means "busy" or "crowded with work" or "assembled". The word "throng" (to crowd) from English, and the German words "drang" (pressure) and "drangen" (to press); as well as the Flemish word "dringen" (to press or squeeze), all seem or could be the source(s).
September 14, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Today's word is "thrang"; which means "busy" or "crowded with work" or "assembled". The word "throng" (to crowd) from English, and the German words "drang" (pressure) and "drangen" (to press); as well as the Flemish word "dringen" (to press or squeeze), all seem or could be the source(s).
Today the word is “alazon”.
An “alazon” is “a person characterised by arrogance, braggadocio, lack of self-awareness and boorishness”.
James S. Fu, in his “Mythic and Comic Aspects of the Quest”, writes:
“The self often suffers for being the alazon like Don Quixote, Monkey, and Huck.”
An “alazon” is “a person characterised by arrogance, braggadocio, lack of self-awareness and boorishness”.
James S. Fu, in his “Mythic and Comic Aspects of the Quest”, writes:
“The self often suffers for being the alazon like Don Quixote, Monkey, and Huck.”
September 13, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Today the word is “alazon”.
An “alazon” is “a person characterised by arrogance, braggadocio, lack of self-awareness and boorishness”.
James S. Fu, in his “Mythic and Comic Aspects of the Quest”, writes:
“The self often suffers for being the alazon like Don Quixote, Monkey, and Huck.”
An “alazon” is “a person characterised by arrogance, braggadocio, lack of self-awareness and boorishness”.
James S. Fu, in his “Mythic and Comic Aspects of the Quest”, writes:
“The self often suffers for being the alazon like Don Quixote, Monkey, and Huck.”
Today the word is “anomy” (or “anomie”): “a lack of the usual social, moral or ethical standards in an individual or group” or “a state or condition characterized by an absence of social and legal norms and values” or “a state of isolation and anxiety due to a lack of social control and regulation”.
September 10, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Today the word is “anomy” (or “anomie”): “a lack of the usual social, moral or ethical standards in an individual or group” or “a state or condition characterized by an absence of social and legal norms and values” or “a state of isolation and anxiety due to a lack of social control and regulation”.
Today's word is "poppling" meaning "rippling; rolling; boiling; roiling".
It dates from at least the 14th.
Originally used in reference to the sea, a river, etc...
It has come to mean “a confusion or cacophony in a mind, a group, a situation”.
It dates from at least the 14th.
Originally used in reference to the sea, a river, etc...
It has come to mean “a confusion or cacophony in a mind, a group, a situation”.
September 5, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Today's word is "poppling" meaning "rippling; rolling; boiling; roiling".
It dates from at least the 14th.
Originally used in reference to the sea, a river, etc...
It has come to mean “a confusion or cacophony in a mind, a group, a situation”.
It dates from at least the 14th.
Originally used in reference to the sea, a river, etc...
It has come to mean “a confusion or cacophony in a mind, a group, a situation”.
Today's word is "stilton". In this case the word means "truth" or "true" or "factual", etc... Used it the sense of "That's the stilton" or "He's not the stilton"; the meaning here being a specific variation of "the cheese".
August 29, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Today's word is "stilton". In this case the word means "truth" or "true" or "factual", etc... Used it the sense of "That's the stilton" or "He's not the stilton"; the meaning here being a specific variation of "the cheese".
Today's word is "crinigerous". This is a word from the mid-1700s meaning “hairy” (as in over grown with hair). It derives from the Latin "criniger". I think it might be entirely appropriate to use it today as "a 'crinigerous' situation", meaning a hairy situation.
August 28, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Today's word is "crinigerous". This is a word from the mid-1700s meaning “hairy” (as in over grown with hair). It derives from the Latin "criniger". I think it might be entirely appropriate to use it today as "a 'crinigerous' situation", meaning a hairy situation.
Today's word is "feaze". This means "to vex” or “to beat, to chastise” or “to worry”.
To be "in a feaze" is “to be in a state of excitement, or of anxious fretful excitement”.
In The Taming of the Shrew, Christophoro Sly says: "I'll pheeze you, in faith."
To be "in a feaze" is “to be in a state of excitement, or of anxious fretful excitement”.
In The Taming of the Shrew, Christophoro Sly says: "I'll pheeze you, in faith."
August 27, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Today's word is "feaze". This means "to vex” or “to beat, to chastise” or “to worry”.
To be "in a feaze" is “to be in a state of excitement, or of anxious fretful excitement”.
In The Taming of the Shrew, Christophoro Sly says: "I'll pheeze you, in faith."
To be "in a feaze" is “to be in a state of excitement, or of anxious fretful excitement”.
In The Taming of the Shrew, Christophoro Sly says: "I'll pheeze you, in faith."
Today's word is "randirooze", which is “a great noise or uproar” or “an exclaimation of a crowd or mob” or “a riotous outburst - as in a courtroom reaction to a statement or evidence which in some way might be found to be incendiary”.
A "randirooze" occurs with every goal, touchdown, or knockout.
A "randirooze" occurs with every goal, touchdown, or knockout.
August 26, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Today's word is "randirooze", which is “a great noise or uproar” or “an exclaimation of a crowd or mob” or “a riotous outburst - as in a courtroom reaction to a statement or evidence which in some way might be found to be incendiary”.
A "randirooze" occurs with every goal, touchdown, or knockout.
A "randirooze" occurs with every goal, touchdown, or knockout.
The word today is "gleed". This is “a glowing coal or ember”.
The etymology is from the Old English "gled" and is the base or origin of the word "glowan", from which we get "glow".
Personally, I like it when the fire is burned down and reduced to "gleeds"; glowing red-rimmed black in the dark.
The etymology is from the Old English "gled" and is the base or origin of the word "glowan", from which we get "glow".
Personally, I like it when the fire is burned down and reduced to "gleeds"; glowing red-rimmed black in the dark.
August 25, 2026 at 9:00 AM
The word today is "gleed". This is “a glowing coal or ember”.
The etymology is from the Old English "gled" and is the base or origin of the word "glowan", from which we get "glow".
Personally, I like it when the fire is burned down and reduced to "gleeds"; glowing red-rimmed black in the dark.
The etymology is from the Old English "gled" and is the base or origin of the word "glowan", from which we get "glow".
Personally, I like it when the fire is burned down and reduced to "gleeds"; glowing red-rimmed black in the dark.
Today's word is "autopathy".
It is now rare to see it used at all... which is odd, since I can think of many applications just off the top of my head.
“Autopathy" is "excessive feeling for oneself; or an instance of this”.
In 1647 H. More wrote "Base fear proceeds from weak 'Autopathy' ".
It is now rare to see it used at all... which is odd, since I can think of many applications just off the top of my head.
“Autopathy" is "excessive feeling for oneself; or an instance of this”.
In 1647 H. More wrote "Base fear proceeds from weak 'Autopathy' ".
August 23, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Today's word is "autopathy".
It is now rare to see it used at all... which is odd, since I can think of many applications just off the top of my head.
“Autopathy" is "excessive feeling for oneself; or an instance of this”.
In 1647 H. More wrote "Base fear proceeds from weak 'Autopathy' ".
It is now rare to see it used at all... which is odd, since I can think of many applications just off the top of my head.
“Autopathy" is "excessive feeling for oneself; or an instance of this”.
In 1647 H. More wrote "Base fear proceeds from weak 'Autopathy' ".
Today “usufructry": Anglo-Norman term meaning "fruit usage" granting rights to gather "windfall" fruit/firewood blown down during storms. In 16c it meant "to have the general use of a thing". Peasants would pull down fruit which "may fall soon". In 14c it meant “to steal by deception".
August 21, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Today “usufructry": Anglo-Norman term meaning "fruit usage" granting rights to gather "windfall" fruit/firewood blown down during storms. In 16c it meant "to have the general use of a thing". Peasants would pull down fruit which "may fall soon". In 14c it meant “to steal by deception".
Today the word is “defalcation”:
“the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to one's care [by another]” or “a sum of moeny which is misappropriated” or “a breach of trust by one who has the position of management or charge of funds or property belonging to others”.
“the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to one's care [by another]” or “a sum of moeny which is misappropriated” or “a breach of trust by one who has the position of management or charge of funds or property belonging to others”.
August 18, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Today the word is “defalcation”:
“the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to one's care [by another]” or “a sum of moeny which is misappropriated” or “a breach of trust by one who has the position of management or charge of funds or property belonging to others”.
“the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to one's care [by another]” or “a sum of moeny which is misappropriated” or “a breach of trust by one who has the position of management or charge of funds or property belonging to others”.
Today's word "cui bono". Latin: “to whose benefit?".
Basically , the responsibility for an act can usually be determined by asking who stands to gain as a result of the act.
It's first recorded by Cicero referencing Roman consul Lucius Cassius.
Today he would say: "Follow the money".
Basically , the responsibility for an act can usually be determined by asking who stands to gain as a result of the act.
It's first recorded by Cicero referencing Roman consul Lucius Cassius.
Today he would say: "Follow the money".
August 17, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Today's word "cui bono". Latin: “to whose benefit?".
Basically , the responsibility for an act can usually be determined by asking who stands to gain as a result of the act.
It's first recorded by Cicero referencing Roman consul Lucius Cassius.
Today he would say: "Follow the money".
Basically , the responsibility for an act can usually be determined by asking who stands to gain as a result of the act.
It's first recorded by Cicero referencing Roman consul Lucius Cassius.
Today he would say: "Follow the money".
Today's word is "ne plus ultra" meaning : “the ultimate or the perfect example of something" or “not further beyond".
The Pillars of Hercules served as a warning to sailors not to go beyond the limit of the known world. The national motto of Spain, on the other hand, is "Plus ultra".
The Pillars of Hercules served as a warning to sailors not to go beyond the limit of the known world. The national motto of Spain, on the other hand, is "Plus ultra".
August 15, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Today's word is "ne plus ultra" meaning : “the ultimate or the perfect example of something" or “not further beyond".
The Pillars of Hercules served as a warning to sailors not to go beyond the limit of the known world. The national motto of Spain, on the other hand, is "Plus ultra".
The Pillars of Hercules served as a warning to sailors not to go beyond the limit of the known world. The national motto of Spain, on the other hand, is "Plus ultra".
Today's word is "anatopism" which is "the error of placing something out of its proper place” or “something placed erroneously".
Anatopism" is to place what anachronism is to time.
Anatopism" is to place what anachronism is to time.
August 13, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Today's word is "anatopism" which is "the error of placing something out of its proper place” or “something placed erroneously".
Anatopism" is to place what anachronism is to time.
Anatopism" is to place what anachronism is to time.