- Today's Word
Wangle
[WANG-guhl]
Definition
- (verb) To obtain something through clever, often devious means. It implies manipulating a situation or persuading someone in a crafty or ingenious way to achieve a desired outcome.
Example
Despite the “sold out” sign, Sarah managed to wangle two tickets to the concert by convincing the box office manager that she was a music critic.
Fun Fact
The origin of “wangle” is uncertain, but it first appeared in British slang in the early 20th century. Some linguists speculate it might be related to the Old English word “wancol,” meaning unstable or unsteady. Others suggest it could be connected to the verb “waggle,” implying a sort of back-and-forth movement that could metaphorically represent manipulation. The term gained popularity during World War I, often used by soldiers to describe obtaining something through unofficial channels. Today, while it can imply a degree of deviousness, “wangle” is often used more lightheartedly to describe clever problem-solving or resourcefulness.
(adjective) Overly concerned with minor details, rules, or formal knowledge in a way that misses the bigger picture.
The pedantic editor returned the manuscript covered in corrections — not of factual errors or structural problems, but of comma placements and hyphenation rules nobody had followed since 1987.
Pedantic derives from the Italian pedante, meaning “schoolmaster” or “teacher,” which entered French as pédant before arriving in English in the late 16th century. The original meaning wasn’t entirely negative — a pedant was simply someone who taught or displayed learning. But the word quickly acquired its dismissive edge as writers and thinkers began using it to describe the kind of teacher who prioritizes the letter of knowledge over its spirit — someone who knows every rule but understands nothing.