EGREGIOUS

PRONUNCIATION:
(i-GREE-juhs, -jee-uhs)

MEANING:
adjective: Remarkable in a bad way; flagrant.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin egregius (outstanding), from ex- (out of) + greg-, stem of grex (flock). Earlier something egregious was one that stood out because it was remarkably good. Over the centuries the word took a 180-degree turn and today it refers to something grossly offensive. Earliest documented use: 1550.
__________________________

EGRET IOUs - I beat those birds fair and square, and they didn't have enough cash to pay up...

PEGREGIOUS - really committed to playing Cribbage

EGG-REGIOUS - got a bit carried away with that omelet, didn't you?