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Spruce up the season with Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Encyclopedia, the ultimate desk reference. http://www.m-w.com/book/peoplace/collency.htm *************************************************************** The Word of the Day for December 20 is: flippant \FLIH-punt\ (adjective) : lacking proper respect or seriousness Example sentence: When Candice asked her nephew where he'd been, he replied with a flippant "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." Did you know? "Flippant" did something of a flip-flop shortly after it appeared in English in the 17th century. "Flippant" was probably created from the verb "flip," which in turn likely originated as an imitation of the sound of something flipping. The earliest senses of the adjective were "nimble" and "limber." One could be flippant not only on one's feet, but also in speech -- that is, someone "flippant" might have a capacity for easy, flowing speech. Such "flippancy" was considered a good thing at first. But people who speak freely and easily can sometimes seem too talkative, even impertinent. By the end of the 18th century, the positive sense of "flippant" had slipped from use, and the "disrespectful" sense had taken its place. Please Note: The Word of the Day will not be e-mailed on December 24, 25, or 26. The full text for each day's word will be available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwwod.pl ---------------- Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Inc. http://www.Merriam-Webster.com ---------------- Subscribe or unsubscribe to Word of the Day via the Web at: http://www.Merriam-Webster.com/service/subinst.htm To join the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-subscribe-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com To leave the list via e-mail, send a blank e-mail to: mw-wod-signoff-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions about your subscription? Write to: mw-wod-request@listserv.webster.m-w.com Questions or comments about the Word of the Day? Write to: word@Merriam-Webster.com © 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
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