- Today's Word
Ersatz
[ER-zahts]
Definition
- (adjective) Something that is a substitute or imitation, typically of inferior quality, used to replace something else. It often implies that the replacement is artificial or synthetic.
Example
During the coffee shortage, many people had to make do with ersatz coffee made from roasted grains, which lacked the rich flavor and aroma of real coffee.
Fun Fact
The word “ersatz” comes directly from German, where it means “replacement” or “substitute.” It entered English usage during World War I, when it was used to describe the substitute products that Germany produced due to shortages caused by the Allied blockade. For instance, “ersatz coffee” was made from roasted acorns or chicory. After World War II, the term became more widely used in English to describe any inferior substitute. Interestingly, while in English “ersatz” often carries a negative connotation, in German it’s a neutral term simply meaning “replacement” without any implication of inferiority.