boon
(noun) A thing that is helpful or beneficial.
The new community center was a boon to families in the neighborhood.
Fun Fact
Originally associated with blessings or requests in Old English and Norse mythology, a “boon” once referred to a favor granted by a king or god. Today, it’s still used to describe anything that feels like a fortunate benefit—whether it’s a job perk, a technological breakthrough, or a surprise day off.
sur-up-TISH-us
(adjective) Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; stealthy or secretive.
She cast a surreptitious glance at her phone during the meeting.
Late Middle English: from Latin “surreptitius,” from “surripere” meaning “to take away secretly,” from “sub-” (secretly) + “rapere” (to seize).
Fun Fact
Surreptitious behavior isn’t necessarily illegal or immoral—it’s just done on the sly because it wouldn’t be approved. Surreptitious glances at your watch during boring presentations, surreptitious snacking before dinner, surreptitious phone checks during conversations—these minor sneaky acts define modern life. The word shares its Latin root with “rapture” through the idea of seizing, though surreptitious seizing happens quietly rather than ecstatically. Spy novels love the word for describing covert operations, but everyday surreptitious acts are far more common than espionage, making it the perfect word for socially awkward secret-keeping.
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