- Today's Word
Agog
[uh-GOG]
Definition
- (adjective) A state of great excitement, anticipation, or enthusiasm. If you’re agog, you’re eagerly looking forward to something or are intensely interested in what’s happening or what’s about to happen.
Example
The children were all agog as they waited in line to meet their favorite cartoon character at the amusement park, their eyes wide with excitement and anticipation.
Fun Fact
The word “agog” has been part of the English language since the 15th century, but its exact origin is uncertain. One theory suggests that it might be derived from the Old French phrase “en gogues,” meaning “in a state of mirth or rejoicing.” Another possibility is that it could be related to the word “agoggle,” an obsolete term meaning “astonished” or “filled with intense interest.” Interestingly, “agog” is often used in the phrase “all agog,” which emphasizes the intensity of the excitement or anticipation. This phrase has been in use since the 18th century and is still commonly encountered in modern English.
(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.