Expand your vocabulary one word at a time
/ˈʃɑ dnˌfrɔɪ də/ • noun
Schadenfreude is a German word that means the feeling of pleasure or satisfaction you get when someone else experiences misfortune. It's interesting because it…
Thursday 2nd April 2026
/ˈæp əˌθɛm/ • noun
An apothegm is a short, clever saying that teaches a useful lesson in a memorable way. They're like verbal punchlines that stick with you, offering wisdom without the fluff, and are often attributed to specific people, adding to their impact.
Wednesday 1st April 2026
/ˈtæn təˌvi/ • adverb
"Tantivy" means to move at a full, reckless gallop, like a frantic chase. It's interesting because it captures a specific kind of urgent, almost out-of-control speed, evoking the sound of hooves and the intensity of a hunt.
Tuesday 31st March 2026
/ˈsiːn jə rɪdʒ/ • noun
Seigniorage is the profit a government makes by printing money, which costs far less to produce than its actual value. This is interesting because it shows how a country can essentially create wealth out of thin air, acting like a legalised printing press for cash.
Monday 30th March 2026
/friːˈsɒn/ • noun
Frisson is a sudden shiver or thrill you get from a powerful moment, like in music or art. It's interesting because it shows how our bodies can turn intense emotions into a pleasurable physical feeling.
Sunday 29th March 2026
JONG-kwil • adjective
Jonquil means a bright, cheerful yellow, named after a type of narcissus flower. It's interesting because, unlike the word "yellow" which can have negative associations, "jonquil" is always positive, suggesting radiance and the vibrant start of spring.
Saturday 28th March 2026
/ˈkrɛnəˌleɪt/ • verb
Crenelate means to furnish a wall or edge with alternating square indentations and raised sections, like those on a castle. It's interesting because this feature, originally designed for defence, became a symbol of power and has since been adopted to describe decorative notches on everything from le
