This week’s theme
Words with presidential connections

This week’s words
OK
sockdolager
teddy bear
watergate
throttlebottom

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(TED-ee bear)

MEANING:

noun:
1. A stuffed toy in the shape of a bear.
2. Something or someone (especially a large or hairy person) who resembles a teddy bear in appearance or being endearing.

ETYMOLOGY:

After US President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1858-1919). Earliest documented use: 1906.

NOTES:

The story goes that, on a hunting trip, Teddy Roosevelt wasn’t able to find an animal to kill. So his people found a black bear and tied the poor animal to a tree inviting Teddy to shoot. Teddy refused (but instead ordered his people to kill the bear to put him out of his misery). Inspired by this a toymaker created a stuffed bear and called it Teddy’s bear. It sold!

USAGE:

“Dipa’s coach is Bishweshwar Nandi, no teddy bear himself. The two often have clashes.”
Akshay Sawai; Dipa Karmakar Calms Down Only When She Gets Her Routine Right; The Economic Times (New Delhi, India); Feb 9, 2019.

See more usage examples of teddy bear in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: