This week's theme
Words coined after animals

This week's words
squirrelly
canaille
monkeyshine
puce
toady

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(MUNG-kee-shyn)

MEANING:

noun: A trick, prank, or antic.

ETYMOLOGY:

After monkey + shine (a caper). A similar term is monkey business. Earliest documented use: 1832.

USAGE:

"Senator Fritz Hollings opened in his usual direct fashion: Let's cut out the monkeyshines and get down to business."
Mary McGrory; Amtrak Melodrama; The Washington Post; Jun 30, 2002.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: