Word of the Day
whoosis
noun
an object or person whose name is not known or cannot be recalled.
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Why Dictionary.com chose whoosis
More about whoosis
- First recorded in 1920–25.
- An alteration of the phrase who’s this.
- Similar to whatsis, a reduced form of what’s this.
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EXAMPLES OF WHOOSIS
- “Can you pass me the whoosis on the shelf?” she asked. “I need it for this project.”
- “When I went to the store, I realized I forgot my wallet, so I had to leave the whoosis at the checkout counter,” he lamented.
sycophant
noun
a self-seeking, servile flatterer.
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Why Dictionary.com chose sycophant
More about sycophant
- First recorded in 1530–40.
- Comes ultimately from Greek sȳkophántēs, “informer.”
- Sȳkophántēs comes from sŷko, meaning “fig,” and the stem of phaínein, meaning “to show.”
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EXAMPLES OF SYCOPHANT
- She saw through the sycophant‘s deceptive flattery and remained wary of his ulterior motives.
- The playwright created a character who was an exaggerated representation of a sycophant, using satire to mock those who seek favor through insincere flattery.
oxymoron
noun
a figure of speech that produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect.
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Why Dictionary.com chose oxymoron
More about oxymoron
- First recorded in 1650–60.
- Comes from the Late Latin word oxymorum.
- Oxymorum is from the presumed but unrecorded Greek neuter of oxýmōros, meaning “sharp-dull.”
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EXAMPLES OF OXYMORON
- The song’s title, “Bittersweet Symphony,” perfectly captures the essence of an oxymoron by evoking both positive and negative emotions.
- The comedian’s act was filled with witty oxymorons that left the audience laughing and scratching their heads at the same time.
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