Word of the Day
More about gridiron
Gridiron originally meant “griddle” and evolved to refer to things resembling griddles and, ultimately, to sports fields that prominently feature intersecting lines. The term comes from Middle English gridirne, which became gridiron because of a false association with the unrelated word irne, “iron,” perhaps because of the metal rods used in griddles. Gridiron was first recorded in English in the late 13th century.
EXAMPLE OF GRIDIRON USED IN A SENTENCE
The staff worked all morning to clear the gridiron of snow so the game could begin.
caravel
noun
a small Spanish or Portuguese sailing vessel of the Middle Ages and later, usually with triangular sails that allowed for tacking upwind.
More about caravel
Caravel comes from Portuguese caravela, which is formed from cáravo, a kind of ship. Cáravo comes via Latin from Ancient Greek kárabos, “skiff, crayfish, type of beetle,” which likely shares an origin with scarab. For another potential (if unlikely) connection, compare the Word of the Day carapace. Caravel was first recorded in English in the 1520s.
EXAMPLE OF CARAVEL USED IN A SENTENCE
The cresting waves broke over the caravel as it left the harbor on a windy day.
nomophobia
noun
anxiety caused by being without access to a functioning mobile phone.
Why the Museum of Science chose nomophobia
To find out, watch this video about nomophobia from science communicator Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D.
Learn more fun facts at the Museum of Science.
More about nomophobia
Nomophobia is an abbreviation of “no mobile phobia,” in which phobia refers to general worrying. While the nomophobia we’re featuring today was first recorded in English in the late 2000s, a different type of nomophobia appeared in English at the turn of the 19th century. The earlier nomophobia comes from Ancient Greek nómos, “law, management,” and means “fear of laws.”
EXAMPLE OF NOMOPHOBIA USED IN A SENTENCE
With their phones confiscated, the teens soon overcame their nomophobia by going for a walk and talking to each other face-to-face.
