mal-uh-DIK-shun
The witch uttered a malediction, condemning the land to darkness.
Fun Fact
From Latin maledicere (to speak evil), maledictions are the opposite of blessings. They appear in myths, fairy tales, and religious texts—think of Sleeping Beauty’s cursed sleep, or the biblical plagues. While modern use is often metaphorical, the word still packs a dramatic punch.
glib
(adjective) Fluent and confident in speech, but shallow, insincere, or lacking thought.
His glib explanation sounded convincing, but it crumbled under basic questioning.
Mid 17th century: probably from Low German glibberig, meaning “slippery.”
Fun Fact
Glib is often used to describe people who are too quick with their words—especially when it feels rehearsed, dismissive, or disingenuous. Think of sales pitches that sound slick but empty, or politicians who talk around the truth with practiced ease. It’s not a compliment—glibness suggests style over substance, and the listener often walks away feeling talked at, not to.