- Today's Word
Whimsical
[WHIM-zi-kuhl]
Definition
- (adjective) something that is playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way. It often refers to things that are unpredictably charming, capricious, or simply out of the ordinary.
Example
The children’s book author was known for her whimsical illustrations, featuring talking animals and trees with faces that captured young readers’ imaginations.
Fun Fact
The word “whimsical” derives from the noun “whimsy,” which originally meant “a fanciful or fantastic device” in the 1500s. It comes from the word “whim-wham,” an Middle English term for a fanciful object. The concept of whimsy has played a significant role in various art movements, particularly in the Surrealist movement of the early 20th century, where artists deliberately created works that were dreamlike and fantastical. In modern usage, “whimsical” has become associated with a lighthearted, carefree approach to life and art, often invoking a sense of childlike wonder or playfulness.
(noun) The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often unintentionally humorous.
His toast included a memorable malapropism when he thanked the “distinguished constipation” instead of constellation of guests.
From Mrs. Malaprop, a character in Sheridan’s The Rivals (1775), whose name comes from French mal à propos (“inappropriate”).