- Today's Word
Flibbertigibbet
[FLIB-er-tee-jib-it]
Definition
- (noun) A person who is excessively talkative, flighty, and prone to gossip. They are known for their rapid, often nonsensical chatter and their tendency to flit from one topic to another without much coherence or substance.
Example
The new hire’s constant stream of idle chatter and office gossip quickly earned her a reputation as the office flibbertigibbet, making it difficult for her colleagues to concentrate on their work.
Fun Fact
The word “flibbertigibbet” first appeared in the 15th century and is believed to have originated from a combination of the words “flibber,” meaning “to flap or flutter,” and “gibbet,” referring to a frivolous or chattering person. The term gained popularity in the 20th century after being featured in the song “Maria” from the musical “The Sound of Music,” where it was used to describe the main character’s lively and talkative nature. Despite its whimsical sound and amusing connotations, being labeled a flibbertigibbet is generally not considered a compliment, as it implies a lack of substance and a tendency to engage in frivolous or unproductive conversation.
(noun) A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure and sensory enjoyment is the highest good and chief aim of life
A self-proclaimed hedonist, she planned her entire sabbatical around exceptional food, warm weather, and long afternoons with nothing to do.
Hedonist derives from the Greek hedone, meaning “pleasure” or “delight,” from hedys (“sweet”). The philosophical school of Hedonism was formally developed in ancient Greece — most notably by Epicurus, who argued that pleasure, properly understood, was the foundation of a good life. The word entered English in the 19th century as both a philosophical term and a descriptor for those who live purely for sensory gratification.