This week’s theme
New words

This week’s words
nutation
noodly

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(NOOD-uh-lee, NOOD-lee)

MEANING:

adjective:
1. Involving casual or meandering improvisation.
2. Of or relating to noodles.
3. Floppy, weak, or thin.

ETYMOLOGY:

From German Nudel (noodle). Earliest documented use: 1870.

NOTES:

Noodly began life in the kitchen, wandered into music rooms, and eventually flopped onto couches everywhere. In music, it describes aimless but inspired improvisation. In anatomy, it refers to limbs that seem to have misplaced their bones. It’s a compliment for jazz guitarists, not so for political leaders.

USAGE:

“Noodly jazz fusion instrumentals? Absolutely.”
Back To Earth; The New Yorker; May 27, 2013.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: