Word of the Day

Verecund is a rare but poetic way to describe someone who's bashful or modest. It's one of many fancy synonyms for that trait, including "diffident" and "reticent." There's nothing dull about a verecund person — they're just unlikely to make themselves the center of attention.

A whirligig is a toy that spins or whirls. It could be set in motion by wind, a string, or just a quick twist of the hand. Pinwheels and spinning tops are familiar examples, but the word can cover all sorts of playful contraptions. You could even make your own whirligig if you're feeling creative!

Oppidan can be used to describe anything that belongs to or is characteristic of a town. It gives a name to that in-between place that doesn't quite fit "urban" or "rural." A classic main street is the quintessential place to enjoy the oppidan life.

A croquembouche is a tall, cone-shaped dessert made by stacking small cream puffs and holding them together with caramelized sugar. This impressive French treat is traditionally served at weddings and other celebrations in place of a cake. And like a wedding cake, a croquembouche is meant to be admired before it's eaten.

If it's diegetic, it takes place within a story. The word comes from a Greek term meaning "pertaining to a narrative," and it's especially common in discussions of film and television. When the narrator steps up to the figurative mic and tells the story, that's diegetic.