- Today's Word
Gigglesnort
[GIG-uhl-snort]
Definition
- (noun/verb) A sudden, uncontrollable burst of laughter that results in an involuntary snorting sound. As a verb, it means to laugh in this manner, combining a giggle and a snort.
Example
When her friend told the ridiculous joke, Sarah couldn’t help but gigglesnort, causing the whole group to erupt in even more laughter.
Fun Fact
While “gigglesnort” isn’t found in standard dictionaries, it’s a prime example of a linguistic blend or portmanteau – a word created by combining parts of two existing words. In this case, “giggle” and “snort” are merged to describe a specific type of laughter. This word formation process is common in informal language and often results in vivid, expressive terms that capture complex ideas or actions in a single word. “Gigglesnort” effectively conveys both the sound and the slightly embarrassing nature of this type of laughter, demonstrating how creative word combinations can fill lexical gaps in describing human experiences.
(noun) A burden, duty, or responsibility—especially one that is difficult or unwelcome.
The onus of proving the theory fell on the scientists who proposed it.
From Latin onus, meaning “load” or “burden.”