A.Word.A.Day --lackwit

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Oct 2, 2023

This week’s theme
Tosspot words

This week’s words
lackwit
dingthrift
turnkey
nipcheese
scattergood

Wylis, a stableboy portrayed as a lackwit in The Game of Thrones

Photo: Wiki of Westeros

Previous week’s theme
Biblical people and places that became words

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

In the whimsical ballet of language, where words pirouette and plié, there exists a category of terms known as tosspot words. These words are formed through the partnership of a verb and a noun, creating a pas de deux.

In these words, the noun is the object of the verb, and the two together define an identity. For instance, consider the term pickpocket. It conjures up a vivid image of nimble fingers (the verb “pick”) stealthily exploring unsuspecting wallets (the noun “pocket”).

So pickpocket is a tosspot word because a pickpocket picks pockets; repairman is not, because a repairman does not repair a man, unless you call your doctor a repairman (better to call them sawbones).

This fascinating linguistic category showcases the inventive spirit of our language and the storytelling potential packed within simple words. So, let’s commence our journey through this lexical wonderland, where every word dances to the rhythm of action and object.

lackwit

PRONUNCIATION:

(LAK-wit)

MEANING:

noun: One who lacks intelligence.
adjective: Lacking intelligence.

ETYMOLOGY:

From lack + wit, perhaps from Middle Dutch or German lac (deficiency) + Old English wit. Earliest documented use: 1668.

USAGE:

“Here in the land of the lackwit, while nitwits to the right of us and dimwits to the left of us volley and thunder, we permit the plunderers and their political boot-lickers to continue pillaging and highgrading.”
Stephen Hume; Forests Folly Proves BC Is Province of Losers; The Vancouver Sun (Canada); Feb 20, 1999.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Civilization is the encouragement of differences. -Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 Oct 1869-1948)

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