Shibboleth is a noun that refers to a use of language unique to a particular group.

Our word of the day comes from Hebrew. It means ‘ear of corn,’ but more importantly the word came to be used as a password to determine if someone was from the proper tribe. In more recent years, it simply refers to a word that is unique to a particular group of people.

For example: I used to think of the word ‘primo’ was a shibboleth among my group of friends in high school. But pretty soon I heard everyone saying. I guess the word wasn’t unique to us after all.

Elephantine is an adjective that means massive and not easily handled.

You may have guessed that our word of the day comes from the word elephant, which is Greek in origin. And like many words named after specific animals, it refers to behavior that an elephant is best known for. Being large, clumsy and awkward.

Troy’s elephantine behavior may have helped in rugby, but it didn’t do much in gymnastics. Being an awkward and clumsy on the balance beam isn’t a pleasant sight.

Heedful is an adjective that means paying attention to.

The German word huten (HOOT n) means ‘hat,’ but it can also be used to mean ‘to shelter or cover.’ This is the origin of the the word heed, which means to ‘pay attention to.’ To be heedful is to be aware and attentive to.

I was heedful of rattlesnakes during our hike through the mountain because I’d been warned of dangerous creatures. Too bad I pay much attention to the threat of mosquitos. I spent the whole weekend itching.

Unbidden is an adjective that means unsolicited or uninvited.

The German word bitten (BIT en) means ‘to ask.’ This word has evolved into the word bid, which means ‘to command or invite.’ When someone does something unbidden they do it without having been asked or demanded. For example: It was nice of Johnny to make the unbidden offer of helping with the cookout, especially since he wasn’t even requested to do so. But after eating the horrible omelets he cooked for us, we soon realized why no one requested him to help with the cookout.

Effectuate is a verb that means to bring something about.

The Latin word effectus (eff ECK toos) simply means ‘to effect.’ Our word of the day could be thought of as a more formal version of ‘effect.’

I was hoping I could effectuate a big change at the office by introducing new technology, but the only thing I brought about was more chaos and confusion.

Enkindle is a verb that means to set on fire.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day could be thought of as a more literary variation of the word ‘kindle.’ It may come in handy when searching for a more romantic or sentimental word and ‘kindle’ just won’t do. For example: I told Veronica that she would soon enkindle my heart, but my phrasing didn’t have the effect I was seeking. It only sent her scrambling for a dictionary.

Today’s word of the day is keelhaul, K-E-E-L-H-A-U-L. Keelhaul is a verb that means to rebuke harshly.

The origin of our word of the day is from the Dutch word kielhalen (KEEL hall en) which was named for the act of dragging someone through water under the keel of the ship as a form of punishment. More recently the word simply means to punish someone severely. For example: I hope they don’t keelhaul me for the mistake I made on the Pinkerton account. With all the money at stake, I wouldn’t blame them for wanted to punish me pretty harshly.

Descamisado is a noun that refers to a very poor person. It can also refer to a revolutionary.

The literal Spanish translation of our word of the day is ‘shirtless.’ But our word of the day simply refers to any person in poverty. I decided to donate my old car to a descamisado I ran into on the road. Anyone in the such dire circumstances was clearly in greater need of transportation. The word was also used to describe a 19th century member of the Spanish revolution.

Sansculotte is a noun that refers to an extreme revolutionary.

Our word of the day comes from French, where its literal translation is ‘without knee breeches,’ a look you’d expect from a poor person. This is how sansculette came to refer to a French revolutionary from the lower classes. More recently, it has come to refer to any radical revolutionary regardless of class background or national origin.

In my college days, I organized a boycott of the cafeteria until they agreed to offer more than one flavor of pudding. That was as close as I came to being a sansculotte in my youth.

Obeisance is a noun that refers to deferential respect.

Coming from Middle English, our word of the day is related to the word ‘obey,’ as in ‘comply with the command.’ When we pay obeisance to someone we are paying our respects. For example: When visiting foreign countries, I didn’t understand the need to bow or curtsy to certain people. It was soon explained to me that it was custom to pay obeisance to individuals who were deemed royalty.