- Today's Word
Laughterstorm
[LAF-ter-storm]
Definition
- (noun) An unexpected and uncontrollable bout of laughter that spreads rapidly through a group, often at an inappropriate time or place. It’s characterized by its sudden onset, contagious nature, and the difficulty in stopping once it starts.
Example
During the serious company meeting, someone’s phone went off with a ridiculous ringtone, triggering a laughterstorm that took several minutes for everyone to recover from.
Fun Fact
The term “laughterstorm” combines “laughter” with “storm,” evoking the image of an intense, swirling force of mirth. This phenomenon is rooted in the social nature of laughter. Neuroscientists have found that laughing is 30 times more likely to occur in social situations than when alone. A study published in the journal “Current Biology” revealed that the brain responds to the sound of laughter by preparing the muscles in the face to join in, explaining why laughterstorms can be so contagious and hard to resist. This involuntary response highlights laughter’s crucial role in social bonding and stress relief, making laughterstorms a powerful, albeit sometimes inconvenient, social lubricant.
(noun) A flattering or coaxing remark meant to gently persuade someone to do something.
No amount of blandishment from the salesman could convince her to buy the overpriced warranty.
Blandishment comes from the French blandir, meaning “to soften,” which itself traces back to the Latin blandus, meaning “smooth, flattering, or mild.” Over time it came to describe gentle persuasion—words that feel sweet on the surface but are often used with intention beneath.