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Nov 27, 2024
This week’s themeWords that sound dirty, but aren’t This week’s words autogamy nudifidian titman cocky pussivant Photo: Nikchick
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Gargtitman
PRONUNCIATION:
MEANING:
noun: 1. The smallest or weakest in a group, such as the runt of a litter. 2. A person of short stature, physically or metaphorically. ETYMOLOGY:
From tit (any of various small birds), short for titmouse + man.
Earliest documented use: 1807.
NOTES:
We’re all thinking about those perky little birds, aren’t we?
Nothing titillating about this petite word, though it still might raise
a titter or two. Handle with care.
USAGE:
“His stature was ridiculous, a small man, he was always the titman
in his class in school, a regular runt.” John Hersey; The Marmot Drive; Knopf; 1953. “We are a race of tit-men, and soar but little higher in our intellectual flights than the columns of the daily paper.” Henry David Thoreau; Walden; Ticknor and Fields; 1854. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know
peace. -Jimi Hendrix, musician, singer, and songwriter (27 Nov 1942-1970) [Update: This quotation is misattributed. See details here.]
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