This Week’s Fun & Fancy Word: Verbivore!
This Week’s Fun & Fancy Word Is:
A verbivore is someone who might read the dictionary for fun. And they’re probably a big fan of our Fun & Fancy Words section. Verbivores have an unquenchable desire to learn about words. They love to discover new words, new ways to use words, and even create new words.[1] Like the author and linguist Richard Lederer did when he coined the term in 1981.[2] Do you know someone who fits this description? Maybe even you.
Etymology:
Origin Of The Word Verbivore
As noted above, the term verbivore was first used in 1981 by Richard Lederer in his book Crazy English’to describe someone who devours words and language. [3] It’s based on the construction of words like carnivore (meat eating), and herbivore (plant eating). And is derived from the Latin terms verbum (meaning word”) and vorax, from vorō (meaning devour). So, it essentially means one who devours words.[4]
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Of Fun & Fancy Words Here.
Endnotes:
[1] “Word Nerd.” LaWhimsy.com
[2] Verbivore.com
[3] PopnWords.com
[4] Word Nerd.” LaWhimsy.com
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