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Why Dictionary.com chose smarmy
More about smarmy
- First recorded in 1905–10.
- From an archaic verb smarm, meaning “to smear.”
EXAMPLES OF SMARMY
- Their smarmy sales pitch felt more like manipulation than persuasion.
- A smarmy comment at the meeting made the whole team cringe.
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Why Dictionary.com chose pavonine
More about pavonine
- First recorded in 1650–60.
- Combines the Latin pāvō, meaning “peacock or peafowl,” + -ine¹.
EXAMPLES OF PAVONINE
- A pavonine silk handkerchief was tucked into his jacket pocket.
- The garden’s mosaic walkway was covered in beautiful pavonine tiles.
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Why Dictionary.com chose hooey
More about hooey
- First recorded in 1920–25.
- Of obscure origin; possibly imitative of a dismissive or exaggerated sigh.
EXAMPLES OF HOOEY
- All this talk about a “miracle” night cream is a bunch of hooey.
- Don’t fall for their marketing hooey — their quesadilla maker barely works.
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