- Today's Word
Gigglequake
[GIG-ul-kwayk]
Definition
- (noun) An uncontrollable fit of laughter that shakes your entire body and spreads to others around you, much like the ripple effect of an earthquake. It’s characterized by its sudden onset, physical intensity, and contagious nature, often disrupting the current situation or activity.
Example
During the serious business meeting, Tom’s accidental pun triggered a gigglequake that left the entire team in tears, gasping for air, and completely derailed the agenda for a good five minutes.
Fun Fact
The term “gigglequake” combines “giggle” with “quake,” evoking the image of laughter so powerful it causes physical tremors. This playful word actually has roots in scientific observations. Laughter is known to be highly contagious due to the activation of mirror neurons in our brains. A study published in the “Journal of Neuroscience” found that the sound of laughter triggers brain regions that prepare facial muscles to join in, explaining why gigglequakes can spread so rapidly through a group. Furthermore, intense laughter has been shown to provide health benefits similar to moderate exercise.
(noun) The smallest part or amount imaginable; a tiny bit.
She didn’t care a whit what others thought about her unconventional career choice.
Middle English: probably an alteration of “wight” (meaning creature or thing), used in phrases like “not a wight” meaning “not a creature” or “nothing at all.”