fas-TID-ee-us
(adjective) Very attentive to detail; hard to please.
He was fastidious about cleanliness and reorganized the desk every day.
Fun Fact
Fastidious once had a negative connotation, implying someone overly fussy or snobbish. Today, it’s often admired in chefs, designers, and editors who demand precision. It’s also a favorite word for describing perfectionists—both lovingly and critically.
BLAN-dish-ment
(noun) A flattering or coaxing remark meant to gently persuade someone to do something.
No amount of blandishment from the salesman could convince her to buy the overpriced warranty.
Blandishment comes from the French blandir, meaning “to soften,” which itself traces back to the Latin blandus, meaning “smooth, flattering, or mild.” Over time it came to describe gentle persuasion—words that feel sweet on the surface but are often used with intention beneath.
Fun Fact
Psychologists studying persuasion have found that humans respond far more strongly to praise than to pressure. In sales, negotiations, and even everyday conversation, a well-placed compliment can lower resistance and shift decision-making. This behavioral tendency is part of what makes blandishments so effective—they feel harmless but can subtly shape choices without the person realizing it.
Today's Word Blandishment BLAN-dish-ment Definition (noun) A flattering or coaxing...
Read MoreToday's Word Histrionic hiss-tree-ON-ik Definition (adjective) Overly dramatic or emotional...
Read More