Word of the Day

Quotha is an old interjection meaning "indeed," used to express mock surprise or scorn. It's kind of like saying "Oh, really?" with a raised eyebrow. The word is a shortening of "quoth he," but by the time Shakespeare got his hands on it, it had already taken on a sarcastic bite. Use quotha when plain old eye-rolling just won't do.

Contemporaneous means "happening or existing at the same time as something else." It's often used when tracking historical events that unfolded side by side, even on opposite sides of the world. When timelines intertwine, contemporaneous keeps things straight.

To crepitate is to make a crackling or popping sound like dry leaves underfoot, a campfire at night, or popcorn in the microwave. The word is even used by doctors to describe creaky joints or wheezy breathing. So the next time something crinkles or crunches, you can sound scholarly and say it's crepitating.

To interlard is to insert or mix one thing into another. Originally referring to stuffing bits of fat into lean meat, the word now carries a more figurative flavor. Whether you're seasoning your emails with emojis or peppering a speech with Shakespearean flourishes, a little interlarding can go a long way.

Esemplastic describes the power to shape diverse elements into a unified whole, like bringing together art from different cultures and eras to make a perfectly curated exhibition. Whether you're writing an epic story or planning a funky party, there's something magical about having an esemplastic touch that pulls everything together.