- Today's Word
Zanoodle
[zuh-NOO-dul]
Definition
- (noun) A spontaneous, quirky idea or plan that seems brilliant at the moment but may be impractical or silly upon further reflection. It’s the kind of thought that pops into your head unexpectedly, often leading to amusing or unconventional actions.
Example
At 2 AM, Jake had a zanoodle to build a fort out of all the furniture in his apartment, only to wake up the next morning wondering why his couch was on top of his dining table.
Fun Fact
The word “zanoodle” combines “zany” (amusingly unconventional and idiosyncratic) with a playful ending reminiscent of “doodle” or “noodle.” This type of word creation, blending existing words or parts of words, is called a “portmanteau.” It’s a common method for creating new slang terms, as it allows for the combination of familiar concepts to express a new idea. The “-oodle” ending also gives the word a light, whimsical feel, which matches the concept it describes. Interestingly, the act of coming up with zanoodles could be considered a form of “lateral thinking,” a term coined by Edward de Bono in 1967 to describe creative problem-solving using reasoning that is not immediately obvious.
(verb) To obtain something by persuasion, scheming, or clever manipulation.
He managed to wangle an invitation to the exclusive event through a friend of a friend.
Late 19th century: originally printers’ slang, possibly an alteration of “waggle” meaning “to move unsteadily,” suggesting indirect or roundabout methods.