Word of the Day

A flâneur is a leisurely wanderer, someone who idly strolls about with no particular destination in mind. The word comes out of 19th-century France and evokes the luxury of having time to do nothing at all. In an age of GPS and hyper-efficiency, there's something refreshing about adopting the aimless, unhurried pace of a flâneur.

Someone described as mercurial tends to shift quickly from one mood or direction to another. The word descends directly from Mercury, the Roman messenger god known for his speed and unpredictability. That sense of quick change carries through today, keeping life full of surprises.

A swivet is a heightened state of nervousness, the kind that sends you rushing or even spiraling, but often over something small. The word tends to show up in the phrase "in a swivet," and it has a playful sound that softens the feeling it describes. It's easy to find yourself in a swivet, so have a mental escape plan ready for when it happens.

To tarry is to linger or delay when you might otherwise move on. Though less common in everyday speech now, the word still appeals to people who like its measured, nonjudgmental tone. Just remember that there's a difference between tarrying and procrastinating!

Poignant describes something that deeply affects you emotionally, sometimes with a dash of bittersweetness thrown in. It traces back to a Latin word meaning "to prick," the same root that gives us "puncture." This linguistic history suggests that a poignant moment doesn't just wash over you; it pierces your emotional defenses.