- Today's Word
Jabberwocky
[JAB-er-wok-ee]
Definition
- (noun) Nonsensical language or meaningless speech. It’s often used to describe writing or speech that sounds impressive or important but actually has little or no meaning.
Example
The politician’s speech was full of jabberwocky, using big words and complex phrases that sounded important but ultimately said nothing of substance.
Fun Fact
“Jabberwocky” comes from Lewis Carroll’s 1871 novel “Through the Looking-Glass.” It’s the title of a nonsense poem that begins “Twas brillig, and the slithy toves / Did gyre and gimble in the wabe.” Many of the words in the poem are inventions, demonstrating Carroll’s skill at creating words that sound meaningful but have no actual definition.
(verb) To reduce in intensity, force, or amount; to become less severe or widespread.
The protests didn’t end so much as abate — the crowds thinning gradually over three weeks until one morning the square was simply empty again.