Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Subscribe

Archives



Jan 19, 2017
This week’s theme
Words borrowed from other languages

This week’s words
satori
hegira
pronunciamento
bobbery
camorra

“There is no material with which human beings work which has so much potential energy as words.” ~Earnest Calkins
Send energy to friends & family
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

bobbery

PRONUNCIATION:
(BOB-uh-ree)

MEANING:
noun: Squabble; commotion; confusion.

ETYMOLOGY:
A corruption of Hindi “bap re” (literally, oh father!), an exclamation of surprise, grief, etc., from bap (father) + re (oh). Earliest documented use: 1816.

USAGE:
“The whole bobbery, which has simmered for years, will finally come to a boil on Tuesday.”
Peter Fimrite; Feng Shui a Sausalito Voter Issue; San Francisco Chronicle; Feb 27, 2002.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Maybe every other American movie shouldn't be based on a comic book. Other countries will think Americans live in an infantile fantasy land where reality is whatever we say it is and every problem can be solved with violence. -Bill Maher, comedian, actor, and writer (b. 1956)

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