- Today's Word
Quidnunc
[KWID-nuhngk]
Definition
- (noun) A nosy or inquisitive person, especially one who gossips. It refers to someone who is always trying to find out the latest news or information about other people’s affairs.
Example
The neighborhood quidnunc was always peering out her window, eager to report on the comings and goings of everyone on the street.
Fun Fact
“Quidnunc” comes from the Latin phrase “quid nunc?” which literally means “what now?” It entered the English language in the early 18th century as a humorous term for someone always asking “What’s the news?” The word reflects a time when Latin was still commonly used in intellectual circles, and playful terms were often coined using Latin phrases. Despite its obscure origins, “quidnunc” has managed to persist in English, particularly in literary contexts, as a colorful way to describe busybodies and gossips. Its survival showcases the English language’s love for quirky, expressive words that capture specific personality types.
(noun) The range of one’s knowledge, understanding, or awareness.
Quantum physics lies far beyond my ken, no matter how many articles I read.
Ken comes from Old English cennan, meaning “to know” or “to make known,” and is closely related to Middle English and Scots usage where it meant knowledge, perception, or recognition. Over time, the word narrowed to describe the limits of what someone knows or understands, which is why it’s often used today in phrases like “beyond my ken.”