- Today's Word
Mumbleshriek
[MUM-buhl-shreek]
Definition
- (noun/verb) The act of speaking in a low, unclear voice that suddenly rises to a high-pitched exclamation. As a verb, it means to communicate in this manner, alternating between mumbling and shrieking.
Example
During the horror movie, Sarah mumbleshrieked her way through the scariest scenes, much to the amusement of her friends.
Fun Fact
“Mumbleshriek” is a creative blend of “mumble” (to speak softly and indistinctly) and “shriek” (to cry out in a high-pitched voice). This portmanteau effectively captures a specific vocal behavior that might occur in situations of surprise, fear, or sudden excitement. While not an officially recognized word, it vividly describes a communication style that alternates between barely audible and startlingly loud. This kind of word creation demonstrates the flexibility of English in forming new terms to describe nuanced human behaviors. “Mumbleshriek” could be particularly useful in describing reactions in suspenseful situations, social anxiety scenarios, or even certain public speaking styles where the speaker’s volume fluctuates dramatically.
(noun) A burden, duty, or responsibility—especially one that is difficult or unwelcome.
The onus of proving the theory fell on the scientists who proposed it.
From Latin onus, meaning “load” or “burden.”