This week’s theme
Eponyms

This week’s words
Apgar
Pinkerton
Yarborough
Orwellism
Oakley


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Next week’s theme
Misc. words

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(OHK-lee)

MEANING:

noun: A complimentary ticket or pass. Also known as an Annie Oakley.

ETYMOLOGY:

After the sharpshooter Annie Oakley (1860-1926) who was renowned for her skill, from association of the punched ticket with one of her bullet-riddled targets. Earliest documented use: c. 1910.

NOTES:

As it happens, we don’t need to turn a picture of Annie Oakley into a video. A film of hers is available, dating back to 1894, produced by none other than Thomas Edison. It’s grainy and jumpy. If only Edison had had the foresight to realize the historic nature of the film and use the HD mode!

USAGE:

“He was given an Oakley for the vaudeville theater show.”
F. Jutte; Het Engelse Taaleigen van Amerika; W.E.J. Tjeenk Willink; 1966.

See more usage examples of Oakley in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: