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A.Word.A.Day--quotha

Pronunciation RealAudio

quotha (KWO-thuh) interjection

Indeed.

[From quoth a, an alteration of quoth he (said he).]

The word is used to express surprise or sarcasm, after quoting someone. Another, much older term with the same meaning is forsooth (literally, for truth).

"'Such stuff as dreams are made on,' quotha." Dennis O'Donnell; Tobacco Pipes; The Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland); Nov 7, 2000.

"The wicked London tavern - thieves and drabs
To affront the blessed hillside drabs and thieves
With mended morals, quotha -- fine new lives!"
Elizabeth Barrett Browning; Aurora Leigh; 19th c.

This week's theme: archaic words.

X-Bonus

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. -Thomas Jefferson, third US president, architect and author (1743-1826)

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