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Mar 24, 2025
This week’s themeThere’s a word for it This week’s words whatness fleshment pejorism uniquity whereness 
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI Previous week’s theme Food words used metaphorically 
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu GargThere’s a word for a newborn’s cry (vagitus, basically a baby’s first solo performance) and a word for someone who can’t stop laughing (hypergelast). We have a word for a teddy bear lover (arctophile, because who doesn’t want to hug an adorable friend?) and one even for a hired mourner (moirologist). Browsing a dictionary is like panning for gold -- each turn of the page uncovers something useful, funny, or downright delightful. Who knew words could be little treasure chests? This week, we’ve unearthed five more gems that might make you say: “Wait, there’s a word for that?” What words have you coined? What words would you like to see pop up in the language? Share below or write to us at words at words@wordsmith.org. As always, include your location (city, state). whatness
PRONUNCIATION:
(WAT-nis)
MEANING:
noun: That which constitutes the fundamental nature of a thing: the essence or inherent quality.
ETYMOLOGY:
From what, from Old English hwæt (what). Earliest documented use: 1611.
See also, quiddity and
haecceity.
USAGE:
“I refer, of course, to an intuitive grasp of substances, or an easy
familiarity with the whatness of things.” Will Hoyt; The Consuming Fire; New Oxford Review (Berkeley, California); Jan/Feb 2016. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
I do not want art for a few, any more than education for a few, or freedom
for a few. -William Morris, poet and novelist (24 Mar 1834-1896)
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