- Today's Word
Snickersnee
[SNIK-er-snee]
Definition
- (noun) A large, sharp knife or a sword, often associated with combat or confrontation. The term is typically used in a humorous or lighthearted context to describe a dramatic or exaggerated confrontation or fight.
Example
In a playful reenactment of a pirate battle, the children brandished their plastic snickersnees, engaging in a spirited duel across the backyard.
Fun Fact
The origin of “snickersnee” can be traced back to the 17th century, where it was likely derived from the Dutch word “snikken,” meaning to cut or slice, and “snee,” meaning a cut or wound. The term was popularized in English literature by authors such as William Makepeace Thackeray and Charles Dickens, who used it to add a touch of whimsy or humor to descriptions of confrontations or fights. Interestingly, “snickersnee” is also sometimes used as a verb, meaning to engage in a fight or confrontation using knives or swords. While the term has largely fallen out of common usage, it remains a favorite among wordsmiths and language enthusiasts who appreciate its playful and evocative nature.
(verb) To criticize someone or something severely and publicly, often with harsh or scathing language.
The columnist excoriated the company’s leadership for ignoring repeated safety warnings.
Excoriate comes from the Latin excoriare, meaning “to strip off the skin,” from ex- (“off”) and corium (“hide” or “skin”). While the word originally described physical abrasion, its meaning shifted metaphorically over time to describe verbal attacks so harsh they feel skin-deep, leaving nothing protected.