- Today's Word
Harangue
huh-RANG
Definition
- (noun) A long, passionate, and often angry speech or lecture.
- (verb) To deliver a forceful or critical speech.
Example
The coach harangued the team after their lackluster performance in the first half.
Fun Fact
“Harangue” traces back to medieval Latin and Old Italian, originally referring to a public speech before a crowd. While once neutral, the word evolved to imply a heated, critical lecture. Historically, great orators like Cicero and Martin Luther were known for their powerful harangues, influencing politics and social movements.
(verb) To obtain something by persuasion, scheming, or clever manipulation.
He managed to wangle an invitation to the exclusive event through a friend of a friend.
Late 19th century: originally printers’ slang, possibly an alteration of “waggle” meaning “to move unsteadily,” suggesting indirect or roundabout methods.