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Why Dictionary.com chose skookum
More about skookum
- Skookum was first recorded around 1825-35.
- Skookum comes from a word in Chinook Jargon that means “fearsome, powerful,” from Lower Chehalis skwəkwə́m, “ghost, spirit, monster.”
- Chinook Jargon and Lower Chehalis are Salishan languages spoken in the Pacific Northwest.
- One might say, “Is that skookum with you?” when looking for affirmation.
- Skookum on its own can also mean “really awesome!”
EXAMPLES OF SKOOKUM
- The skookum grizzly bear roamed through the forest, its massive size and strength commanding respect.
- The skookum oak tree stood tall and majestic in the middle of the clearing, casting a shadow over the entire meadow.
schadenfreude
noun
satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune.
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Why Dictionary.com chose schadenfreude
More about schadenfreude
- Schadenfreude entered English around 1890-95.
- Schadenfreude comes from German. It’s formed from the words Schaden, “harm,” and Freude, “joy.”
- Schaden is related to the English word scathe, meaning “to hurt, harm, or injure.”
- Freude and the English word frolic, meaning “to have fun,” share the same root as well.
EXAMPLES OF SCHADENFREUDE
- Whenever her annoying neighbor’s car got a flat tire, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of schadenfreude.
- Watching his rival slip and fall on the ice brought him a sense of schadenfreude.
vicissitude
noun
a change or variation occurring in the course of something.
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Why Dictionary.com chose vicissitude
More about vicissitude
- Often used in the plural, vicissitude was first recorded in 1560-70.
- Vicissitude comes via Middle French from Latin vicissitūdō, “in turn.”
- The first part of vicissitude is from the same root as vice, “in the place of,” as in vice president.
- The middle part comes from the Latin word cessim, “giving way,” and the last part from –tūdō, which indicates state or condition, as in attitude.
EXAMPLES OF VICISSITUDE
- Life is full of vicissitudes, with unexpected twists and turns that shape our journey.
- The relationship went through many vicissitudes as their feelings for each other grew and evolved over time.
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