Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Nov 8, 2013
This week's theme
Words borrowed from Yiddish

This week's words
bupkis
schnozzle
schmo
pogrom
dreck

This week's comments
AWADmail 593

Next week's theme
Words that are names
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

dreck or drek

PRONUNCIATION:
(drek)

MEANING:
noun: Rubbish; trash.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Yiddish drek (filth, dirt, dung). Ultimately from the Indo-European root sker- (excrement) that is also the source of scoria and scatology. Earliest documented use: 1922.

USAGE:
"Using boot-sale dreck and found rubbish, Michael Landy has created kinetic, three-dimensional versions of saints portrayed in the National Gallery's collection."
Adrian Searle; The Best Art Exhibitions; The Guardian (London, UK); Mar 31, 2013.

See more usage examples of dreck in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is. -Margaret Mitchell, novelist (1900-1949)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith