- Today's Word
Katzenjammer
[KAT-suhn-jam-er]
Definition
- (noun) A loud, discordant noise or a state of confusion and bewilderment. It’s often used to describe the unpleasant physical and mental effects of a hangover, including headache, nausea, and general disorientation.
Example
After a night of heavy celebration, Tom woke up with a terrible katzenjammer, regretting his decision to try every cocktail on the menu.
Fun Fact
The word “katzenjammer” comes from German, literally translating to “cat’s wail” or “cat’s lament.” It’s a combination of “Katzen” (cats) and “Jammer” (distress or wailing). The term was popularized in English by the comic strip “The Katzenjammer Kids,” which debuted in 1897 and featured mischievous children causing chaos. Over time, the word came to be associated with the aftereffects of overindulgence, likely due to the discordant and unpleasant nature of both a cat’s yowl and a hangover.
(adjective) Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior; strictly attentive to rules and etiquette
The punctilious editor caught every misplaced comma and inconsistent font size before the report went to print.
Punctilious derives from the Italian puntiglio and Spanish puntillo, both meaning “a fine point” — diminutives of punto, meaning “point,” from the Latin punctum. It entered English in the 17th century to describe someone obsessively attentive to the fine points of conduct, protocol, and procedure.