This week’s theme
Words with a bossy past

This week’s words
gardyloo
hallelujah

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(hal-uh-LOO-yuh)

MEANING:

interjection: Praise the Lord.
noun: An expression of joy, relief, praise, etc.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Hebrew halaluyah (praise God), from halelu (praise, you all), second person plural imperative of hallel (to praise) + yah (God), shortening of Yahweh (God). Earliest documented use: 1535.

NOTES:

Think of it as the linguistic Swiss Army knife of joy: whether your sports team finally wins, you find parking after circling around downtown, or the plumber finally shows up, you can raise a hearty hallelujah.

USAGE:

“The serum is a one-and-done night treatment (hallelujah) ... just apply after cleansing and head to bed.”
Sali Hughes; Anti-Ageing Products That Actually Work; The Guardian (London, UK); Apr 5, 2025.

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

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: