Word Nerd

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

tarnation

Pronounced: tar-NAY-shuhn

This word is versatile: it can be an interjection, a noun, an adjective or an adverb (kind of like the "f" word, LOL).

interjection: Used to express surprise, anger, irritation, annoyance, etc.
noun: Damnation; hell.
adjective: Damned.
adverb: Damnably.

Alteration of darnation (influenced by tarnal) which itself is a euphemism for damnation, from Latin damnare (to condemn), from damnum (damage). Earliest documented use: 1790.

Honsetly, I learned this word from Yosemite Sam in the Bugs Bunny cartoons as a kid. "What in tarnation is going on here?!"

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

ballyhack

Pronounced: BAL-ee-hack

This word is a noun and means hell (the place).

Of uncertain origin. Perhaps after the Irish village Ballyhack, where a castle was the holding place for confederates caught in a rebellion before they were expelled. Earliest documented use: 1843.

So maybe the Ballyhack castle was so miserable it was synonymous with hell. Who knows.

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

gorblimey

Pronounced: gor-BLY-mee

This word is an interjection that means an expression of surprise, dismay, etc.

A contraction of “God blind me”. Earliest documented use: 1896. Also used in the form corblimey and blimey.

I think I've only heard of this word as "blimey." And only from someone from GB.

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

earworm

Pronounced: EER-wuhrm

This word is a noun, and means:
1. A catchy song or tune that keeps involuntarily repeating in one’s mind.
2. An agricultural pest commonly known as corn earworm, of the species Helicoverpa zea or Helicoverpa armigera.

Earliest documented use: 1598.

So there is a real earworm, but that Barney, purple dinosaur song is an earworm!

Aug 8, 2024 This week’s theme Loanwords and loan translations This week’s words machtpolitik dogwatch bridgehead earworm “Play a random song as the guests arrive, and repeat it all night.” Cartoon: Wayno / Piraro A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg earworm​

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

grawlix

Pronounced: GRAW-liks

This word is a noun for the characters, such as @#%$*!, used to convey profanity in a comic.

Coined by the cartoonist Mort Walker (1923-2018). Earliest documented use: 1964.

This is a new word for me. And a very recently coined word -- 1964.