- Today's Word
Kibosh
[KY-bosh]
Definition
- (noun) To stop or put an end to it, often suddenly or decisively. It’s used to describe the act of halting plans, ideas, or activities, typically in a final or authoritative.
Example
The principal put the kibosh on the students’ plans for an unsupervised overnight party, citing safety concerns and school policy.
Fun Fact
The origin of “kibosh” is somewhat mysterious and hotly debated among etymologists. One theory suggests it comes from the Irish phrase “cie bais,” meaning “cap of death” (referring to a judge’s black cap worn when pronouncing a death sentence). Another theory links it to the Yiddish word “kabas,” meaning “to suppress.” Yet another suggests it might come from the word “kurbash,” a type of whip used for punishment in some Middle Eastern countries. Despite its unclear origins, “kibosh” entered English slang in the early 19th century and has been putting a stop to things ever since.
(verb) To suggest or assume something as a basis for reasoning or argument without prior proof.
The scientist postulated that the mysterious signals were coming from a previously undiscovered layer of the atmosphere, a theory that took years to confirm.
Postulate derives from the Latin postulare, meaning “to demand” or “to claim,” rooted in poscere, meaning “to ask urgently.” In medieval logic and mathematics, a postulate was a foundational assumption that didn’t require proof — something demanded to be accepted as a starting point. Euclid’s famous geometric postulates, written around 300 BCE, are among the most influential examples in intellectual history.