Word of the Day

Word of the day

cosher

[ kosh-er ] [ ˈkɒʃ ər ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to treat with special fondness; pamper.

learn about the english language

What is the origin of cosher?

Cosher is of unclear origin. Some linguists connect it to the term cocker, “to pamper,” also of uncertain origin. Others, however, link cosher to Irish Gaelic cóisir, meaning “feast.” Either way, cosher is not related to kosher, from Hebrew kāshēr, “right, fit,” in the context of dietary laws. Cosher was first recorded in English in the early 1860s.

EXAMPLE OF COSHER USED IN A SENTENCE

They coshered and spoiled the cat, and he started acting like the king of the house.

quiz icon
WHAT'S YOUR WORD IQ?
Think you're a word wizard? Try our word quiz, and prove it!
TAKE THE QUIZ
arrows pointing up and down
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
Double your word knowledge with the Synonym of the Day!
SEE TODAY'S SYNONYM
Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

nickelodeon

[ nik-uh-loh-dee-uhn ] [ ˌnɪk əˈloʊ di ən ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

an early movie theater where a film or a variety show could be seen, usually for the admission price of a nickel.

learn about the english language

What is the origin of nickelodeon?

Nickelodeon is based on nickel and either melodeon, a small reed organ, or Odeon, a small roofed theater of ancient Greece. Nickel comes from German Kupfernickel, referring to the mineral nickeline but literally meaning “copper demon,” after nickeline’s resemblance to copper. Nickelodeon was first recorded in English in the late 1880s.

EXAMPLE OF NICKELODEON USED IN A SENTENCE

The old nickelodeon had been converted into a film museum with bright posters covering the once-drab walls.

Word of the Day Calendar

Word of the day

⚛️ Today's Word was chosen in partnership with the Museum of Science as the Science Word Of The Week! ⚛️

supergiant

[ soo-per-jahy-uhnt ] [ ˈsu pərˌdʒaɪ ənt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

an exceptionally luminous star whose diameter is more than 100 times that of the sun.

learn about the english language

Why the Museum of Science chose supergiant

To find out, watch this video from science communicator Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D.

Learn more at the Museum of Science.

What is the origin of supergiant?

In supergiant, the super- element literally means “above, beyond,” and it’s a distant relative of English over, German über, and Ancient Greek hypér. Giant comes from Ancient Greek gígās (gígant- in compounds), which lost its second g as it passed into French and then into English in the late 1920s.

EXAMPLE OF SUPERGIANT USED IN A SENTENCE

Some of the brightest stars in the constellation were dazzling blue, superhot supergiants.

Word of the Day Calendar

Get A Vocabulary Boost In Your Inbox

Get the Word of the Day in your inbox every day!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Word of the Day Calendar