Potable is an adjective that means ‘suitable for drinking.’ As a noun it refers to ‘a liquid that is suitable for drinking.’

The Latin word potare (poe TAR ay) which means ‘to drink’ is where our word of the day began life. It soon came to be an adjective that meant ‘suitable for drinking’ and a noun that meant a liquid that can be drank.

The biggest problem with many third world countries is the lack of potable water. Being surrounded by water means nothing if the water is not suitable for drinking.

Oblique is an adjective that means ‘indirect or not straightforward.’ It’s also a noun that refers to ‘something that is oblique.’

Our word of the day is from Latin. Obliquus (oh blee GOOSE) means ‘diagonally’ or ‘slanted.’ To this day, it may refer a line that is neither perpendicular nor parallel, and it may also mean something that is indirect or implied. The congressman’s speech contained a number of oblique references to his disgraced colleague. Although he didn’t mention Senator Harmon by name, we all new perfectly well who he was talking about.

Pliable is an adjective that means ‘yielding readily to others.’

Our word of the day has evolved from the Latin word plicare (plee CAR ay) which means ‘to fold.’ Pliable may be used to refer to a substance that is supple and easily bendable. Or it may be used metaphorically to refer to someone’s temperament. For example: As an assistant, it’s often important to be pliable to your employer. If you can’t bend to their whim, you won’t be employed for long.

Comestible is an adjective that means ‘edible.’ It is also a noun that refers to ‘food.’

The Latin word comedere (co may DARE ay) means ‘to eat’ or ‘consume.’ By the 18th century, it had evolved into its present form to mean ‘fit to eat.’ As an adjective, comestible holds roughly this same meaning. As a noun, the word made its first appearance in print about a century later.

I sure wish that wax fruit on my desk was comestible. Right now, I’m hungry enough to sink my teeth into anything that can be eaten.

Pedagogical is an adjective that means ‘related to a teacher or education.’

The Greek word paidagōgos (PIE duh go gose) referred to a slave who brought children to school. Over the centuries it has entered Latin and English to evolve into several words related to children or education.

I hope the school is comfortable with my innovative pedagogical methods. Teachers are usually discouraged from straying from traditional ways to teach.

Lackadaisical is an adjective that means ‘lacking spirit or zest.’

Our word of the day began life with the popular 17th century phrase ‘alack the day!’ Something said to express sorrow or disappointment. With a shift in pronunciation and the addition of the suffix I-C-A-L, the phrase evolved into a word that was used to describe a languid or lethargic temperament.

With this lackadaisical approach, Larry will never get a job. He’d better find some enthusiasm and vigor if he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life unemployed.

Fraught is an adjective that means ‘full of or accompanied by something.’

The origin of our word of the day is in Middle English where it began as a synonym of ‘loaded.’ Ships that carried a heavy load were said to be fraught with a heavy load. More recently the word has been used figuratively. For example: I’ve always loved my five brothers, but our relationship has always been fraught with lots of fierce competition. I’ve often wondered how well we could get on without this heavy emotional load.

Mot juste is a noun that refers to ‘the exactly right word or phrasing.’

Our word of the day is borrowed directly from French and it translates into ‘right word.’ When asked to describe Katy’s personality, I would say that tempestuous is the mot juste. I can’t think of a better word to sum her up.

Heterodox is an adjective that means ‘different from the traditional method.’

Our word of the day could be thought of as an antonym of orthodox, which simply means approved by the established traditions. Orthodox and heterodox share the Greek root word Doxa (DOAKS ah) meaning ‘opinion.’ Heterodox begins with the prefix ‘heter’ meaning ‘different’ or ‘other,’ so, for example, a heterodox approach means an approach that differs from the norm.

Kyle’s heterodox teaching methods weren’t very popular at first, but in time, the administration warmed to ways of teaching that were a little unconventional.

Cacology is a noun that refers to a poor choice of words.

The Greek word kakos (kah KOSE) means ‘bad’ or ‘evil.’ Our word of the day has evolved from this to refer to a bad or mistaken use of language. Among its many possible uses, cacology could mean mispronunciation, bad diction or poorly selected language.

Getting tripped up by cacology seems to happen a lot to Cory. He may want to rethink his career in public speaking.