- Today's Word
Moodling
[MOOD-ling]
Definition
- (verb) The act of productively procrastinating by engaging in small, unrelated tasks that stimulate creativity or problem-solving for a larger project. It’s when you’re not directly working on your main task, but the activities you’re doing end up indirectly contributing to it through inspiration or mental preparation.
Example
Instead of starting her essay, Sarah spent an hour moodling – organizing her desk, doodling in her notebook, and reading random articles – which ultimately helped her form the perfect thesis statement.
Fun Fact
The word “moodling” is a playful blend of “mood” and “doodling,” suggesting a state of mind where one is casually engaged in various activities. This concept aligns with research on incubation in creative problem-solving. Moodling, far from being unproductive, might actually enhance creativity and cognitive performance by allowing the brain to unconsciously process information and make new connections. Additionally, the varied nature of moodling activities can help reduce stress and prevent burnout, potentially leading to improved overall productivity in the long run.
(adjective) Deserving praise or reward on the basis of genuine effort, skill, or achievement.
The meritorious work of the research team went unrecognized for years before a junior colleague finally submitted it for the award it had always deserved.
Meritorious derives from the Latin meritorius, meaning “that by which money is earned,” rooted in merere — “to earn” or “to deserve.” The same root gives us merit, meritocracy, and emeritus — all words built around the idea of something earned rather than given. It entered English in the 15th century, initially used in theological contexts to describe acts worthy of divine reward before expanding into its broader secular sense of anything genuinely deserving of recognition.