This week’s theme
Words related to historical fashion

This week’s words
corset
tight-laced
bodice ripper
starchy
velvet glove

---

A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(VEL-vet gluhv)

MEANING:

noun: An outward appearance of gentleness concealing an underlying firmness or resolve.

ETYMOLOGY:

From velvet, from Old French veluotte, from velu (velvety), from Latin villus (tuft) + glove, from Old English glof. Earliest documented use: 1850.

NOTES:

Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte is credited with the expression an iron fist in a velvet glove, meaning a bold approach presented in a gentle and courteous manner. While effective in diplomacy and warfare, this approach is less successful when trying to get a toddler to eat their vegetables. See also: mailed fist and ironfisted.

USAGE:

“[Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot] has figured out the public-health importance of revealing her humanity and sense of humor, allowing her to dispense orders with a velvet glove.”
Chris Jones; Politicians Are Our New Pandemic Celebrities; Chicago Tribune (Illinois); May 3, 2020.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: