- Today's Word
Bumfuzzle
[buhm-FUZ-uhl]
Definition
- (verb) To confuse, perplex, or fluster someone, often leaving them at a loss for words or unsure of what to do next. It’s a state of mental bewilderment that can be caused by a complex problem, a surprising turn of events, or a particularly puzzling situation.
Example
The cryptic clues in the escape room had the entire team bumfuzzled, leading to a series of hilarious attempts to decipher the hidden meanings behind each riddle.
Fun Fact
The exact origin of “bumfuzzle” is uncertain, but it is thought to have first appeared in the southern United States during the late 19th or early 20th century. The term is believed to be a playful combination of the words “bum,” meaning “to perplex,” and “fuzzle,” which is a variation of the word “fuddle,” meaning “to confuse.” This whimsical blend of words perfectly captures the sense of bewilderment and confusion associated with being bumfuzzled. While not a common word in modern English, “bumfuzzle” adds a touch of humor and color to descriptions of perplexing situations.
(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.