- Today's Word
Euphonalicious
[yoo-fon-uh-lish-uh s]
Definition
- (noun) A portmanteau of “euphonic” (pleasing to the ear) and “delicious,” this term describes words, phrases, or sounds that are utterly delightful and delectable to the ear, creating linguistic bliss.
Example
When you hear a particularly mellifluous turn of phrase or a beautifully constructed sentence, you might exclaim, “That poetic line was simply euphonalicious! The words danced on my eardrums like a sonorous symphony.” It’s a nod to the auditory indulgence of savoring linguistic artistry.
Fun Fact
While “delicious” typically refers to something pleasing to the sense of taste, “euphonalicious” playfully extends this concept to the sense of hearing. It suggests that certain combinations of sounds and words can be just as tantalizing and delightful as a mouthwatering treat, but for the ears instead of the taste buds.
(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.