This Week’s Fun & Fancy Word: Annus Mirabilis!

It may sound like a magic spell. But it actually means an extraordinary year – whether that year is remarkable for wonders which took place or disasters that occurred.[1] A year like 1776, when the United States declared their independence from Britain. Or 1905, the year Albert Einstein published papers that revolutionized our understanding of the fundamental concepts of space, time, mass and energy – which are actually known as the Annus mirabilis papers.[2]

Then there’s 1619, when the first enslaved Africans arrived in America. Needless to say, this year falls in the disaster category, and could better be described as annus horribilus (a terrible year). But it was unquestionably a year defined by a significant event.[3]

Then there’s John Dryden’s poem titled Annus Mirabilis, written in 1667. Which celebrates two victories of the English fleet over the Dutch in 1666, and Londoners surviving the Great Fire that occurred during the same year.[4]

Etymology:
Origin of annus mirabilis

The etymology of annus mirabilis is simple indeed. It’s literally Latin for “wonderful year.”[5] The earliest known use of the term is in a 1643 sermon from Puritan minister William Bridge.[6]

#Fun & Fancy Words

Endnotes:

[1]  The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 5^th edition.

[2] “September 26, 1905: Einstein’s ‘Year of Miracles’ Completed.” This Day of History. September 25, 2025.

[3]  Dictionary.com

[4] “Annus Mirabilis.” Britannica.

[5] Glosbe.com https://glosbe.com/la/en/annusmirabilis

[6]  Oxford English Dictionary.

Bridge, William. “Of Courage.” In The Works of the Rev. William Bridge, M.A. Beaver Falls, PA : Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1989.  Pg 48.