More about whippersnapper

• First recorded in 1665–75.
• Most likely a blend of earlier whipster and snippersnapper, which are similar in sense.
• Both whip and snap entered English centuries before and have Germanic origins.
• Sign up for more Word of the Day!

EXAMPLES OF WHIPPERSNAPPER

• The old man scolded the whippersnapper for cutting in line at the grocery store.
• She chuckled at the antics of the young whippersnapper trying to act all grown up.

What word makes you chuckle?

Vote now in our “Biggest Smile Wins” bracket!

More about cacophony

• First recorded in 1650–60.
• Comes via New Latin cacophonia from Greek kakophōnía, which contains caco– “bad” + –phony “sound.”
• Sign up for more Word of the Day!

EXAMPLES OF CACOPHONY

• As the orchestra tuned their instruments, a cacophony of mismatched sounds filled the concert hall.
• The classroom erupted into a cacophony of laughter and chatter after the bell rang for recess.

More about duende

• In the sense of “a goblin or spirit,” first recorded in 1685–95.
• In the highlighted sense, first recorded in 1955–60.
• Comes from Spanish and is shortened from duen de (casa), “master of (the house)” with duen a variant of dueño, meaning “lord; owner” from Latin dominus “to control.”
• Sign up for more Word of the Day!

EXAMPLES OF DUENDE

• The flamenco dancer captivated the audience with their mesmerizing duende.
• The old bookstore had an enchanting duende that made visitors feel like they were stepping into another world.