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Jun 24, 2024
This week’s themeThere’s a word for it This week’s words palooka lycanthropy heliophobia pizzaiolo sciamachy 
Image: Amazon Previous week’s theme Kangaroo words 
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu GargWelcome to Whimsical Words Week, where language takes a playful turn and words dance into your vocabulary like unexpected guests at a party. Each day, we’ll introduce you to a delightful, quirky word you never knew existed. Add these to your lexicon and wonder how you ever expressed yourself without them. Get ready to say, “I didn’t know there was a word for it!” palooka
PRONUNCIATION:
(puh-LOOK-uh)
MEANING:
noun: 1. Someone incompetent or inexperienced, especially as a boxer. 2. A clumsy or foolish person. ETYMOLOGY:
Of unknown origin. The word was popularized by the comic strip
Joe Palooka, which debuted in 1930. Earliest documented use: 1920.
USAGE:
“We’re not a bunch of palookas. Someone is messing with our heads,
and I don’t know who it is any more.” Deon Meyer (Translation: K.L. Seegers); Seven Days; Random House; 2012. “He wasn’t no palooka. He used to be the light heavyweight champ.” Tennessee Williams; Mister Paradise and Other One-Act Plays; New Directions; 2005. See more usage examples of palooka in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
History is a vast early warning system. -Norman Cousins, editor and author
(24 Jun 1915-1990)
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