Word of the Day
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose la-di-da
More about la-di-da
- First recorded as an adjective in 1880–85.
- Imitative of affected, pseudo-elevated speech.
EXAMPLES OF LA-DI-DA
- The la-di-da cocktail hour featured fancy appetizers with names that no one could pronounce.
- They got all la-di-da about wine pairings after taking a single sommelier class.
inscape
noun
the unique essence or inner nature of a thing
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose inscape
More about inscape
- First recorded in 1865–70.
- Combines in-¹ + -scape³.
- Coined by the English poet and Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins.
EXAMPLES OF INSCAPE
- Letting the melody guide her, the song’s inscape unfolded note by note.
- Every individual’s interpretation of a piece of art is influenced by their own inscape.
learn about the english language
Why Dictionary.com chose pettifogging
More about pettifogging
- First recorded in 1570–80.
- Combines pettifog, a backformation of pettifogger, meaning “a petty or fussy person,” + -ing².
EXAMPLES OF PETTIFOGGING
- The lawyer’s pettifogging arguments were only meant to stall the case.
- The novel’s epic saga is weighed down by the pettifogging formalities of aristocratic etiquette.
Word of the Day Calendar
