Word of the Day

A pother is a burst of noisy commotion, often over something small. The word dates back to Shakespearean times. And while pother doesn't appear in Much Ado About Nothing, it's a title that, fittingly, could almost describe a pother itself. Do you think we should work ourselves into a pother over that missed opportunity?

If something is described as whilom, it belongs to an earlier time or a former role that has since changed. You might come across it in older or literary writing, where it can add a wistful tone. Once common in Middle English, whilom has largely faded from everyday use, but it's still standing by to add a poetic flourish to your musings.

A blatherskite talks quickly and confidently, yet leaves you wondering what was actually said. You know the type who fills every pause with chatter but never quite lands a point. The word has Scottish roots and has been poking fun at empty talkers since the 1600s. A conversation with a blatherskite can leave you more exhausted than informed.

Nacreous describes something that's lustrous or pearly, often possessing a shifting, iridescent quality. The word is derived from "nacre," a more formal name for the glimmering mother-of-pearl found inside some mollusk shells. A photo of a sunset can't compare to the nacreous shimmer of a cloud on the horizon right as the sun goes down.

Terra firma refers to dry, solid land, as opposed to water or air. But it's often used as a metaphor for any stable foundation in a world that can feel fluid. Even daring explorers eventually find themselves longing for the safety of terra firma.