Word of the Day

A scofflaw is someone who openly disregards rules or regulations. The word was coined during Prohibition as part of a contest to name those who flouted alcohol laws, but the catchy word outgrew that context before long. Whether it's unpaid parking tickets or shooting off fireworks weeks after New Year's, a scofflaw doesn't bother to play by the book.

Anatine describes anything that resembles a duck in appearance, behavior, or any other way you can imagine. It's a technical term, but there's a touch of whimsy in using it to label something ducklike. Whether it's a duck-shaped cloud or a waddle in someone's walk, anatine is the perfect word when "duckish" just won't do.

Krummholz refers to the twisted, stunted trees found near a mountain's timber line, shaped by wind and cold. The word comes from German, literally translated as "crooked wood," and it captures both the harshness of alpine life and nature's resilience. In every gnarled branch, krummholz tells a story of survival.

Circumambient describes something that surrounds or envelops, such as air, fog, music, or even a mood. It's a subtle word that can be used for whatever fills the space around you. What's circumambient isn't always visible, but it's always present.

Pedagogy refers to the methods and mindsets behind effective teaching — not just what's taught, but also how it's delivered. It's a word used in education circles, but it also applies to the everyday challenge of helping others learn and understand. Whether it's in a classroom or a conversation, strong pedagogy is what makes learning stick.