- Today's Word
Yomp
[YAHMP]
Definition
- (verb) To march or hike with heavy equipment or baggage over difficult terrain. The term originated in British military slang and is often associated with long, challenging marches or treks.
Example
The soldiers yomped through the dense jungle for hours, carrying their heavy backpacks and weapons, determined to reach their destination before nightfall.
Fun Fact
The term “yomp” gained widespread recognition during the 1982 Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina. British Royal Marines, who were tasked with retaking the islands, had to undertake a grueling 56-mile (90-kilometer) trek across the Falklands’ rugged, boggy terrain while carrying heavy equipment and supplies. This arduous march became known as the “yomp” and was a defining moment in the conflict. The term “yomp” is believed to have originated from the Royal Marines’ slang, possibly as a blend of the words “yawn” and “stomp,” reflecting the exhaustion and difficulty of the long marches. Today, “yomp” is used more broadly to describe any challenging hike or trek, particularly one undertaken with heavy gear or in difficult conditions.
(verb) To criticize someone or something severely and publicly, often with harsh or scathing language.
The columnist excoriated the company’s leadership for ignoring repeated safety warnings.
Excoriate comes from the Latin excoriare, meaning “to strip off the skin,” from ex- (“off”) and corium (“hide” or “skin”). While the word originally described physical abrasion, its meaning shifted metaphorically over time to describe verbal attacks so harsh they feel skin-deep, leaving nothing protected.