- Today's Word
Moxie
[MOK-see]
Definition
- (noun) Courage, determination, and energy. It describes a person’s ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage, often implying a combination of nerve, skill, and confidence.
Example
Despite being new to the company, Sarah showed real moxie when she stood up to the CEO and pointed out the flaws in his proposed strategy.
Fun Fact
The word “moxie” originated as a brand name for a soft drink created in 1876 by Dr. Augustin Thompson in Lowell, Massachusetts. The carbonated beverage was marketed as a nerve tonic and claimed to cure various ailments. The drink’s advertising emphasized its ability to build courage, thus the word “moxie” gradually entered the American lexicon as a term for courage and verve. Interestingly, Moxie was one of the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States, predating Coca-Cola by about a decade.
(adjective) Found or appearing everywhere simultaneously; seeming to be present in all places at once.
Smartphones have become so ubiquitous that it’s now more unusual to spot someone without one than with one.
Ubiquitous derives from the Latin ubique, meaning “everywhere,” combined with the suffix -ous denoting a quality or characteristic. The Latin root breaks down further into ubi (“where”) and que (“and, also”) — essentially meaning “and wherever else.” The word entered English in the 19th century, initially used in theological discussions about God’s omnipresence before expanding into general use.