51吃瓜 of the Day
tantalize
[ tan-tl-ahyz ]
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verb
to torment with something desirable that is just out of reach
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Why Dictionary.com chose tantalize
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- First recorded in 1590鈥�1600.
- From the Greek myth of Tantalus, who was punished in the afterlife by being placed between a pool of water and a fruit tree that he could not drink or eat from.
EXAMPLES OF TANTALIZE
- It seems like ads for island vacations were written just to tantalize those stuck behind desks all winter.
- The popcorn machine was designed to tantalize moviegoers, with a fan blowing the buttery scent through the lobby.
carillon
[ kar-uh-lon ]
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noun
a set of bells hung in a tower and played using a keyboard or pedals
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Why Dictionary.com chose carillon
More about carillon
- First recorded in 1765鈥�75.
- From Latin 辩耻补迟别谤苍颈艒苍, meaning “a set of four;” perhaps originally the name of bell towers with four bells or the name of a type of song played on the bells.
EXAMPLES OF CARILLON
- The carillon rang out a Bach fugue, with each voice played on a distinct set of bells.
- The campus’s carillon hadn’t been played in decades until it was restored last year.
cockamamie
[ kok-uh-mey-mee ]
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adjective
ridiculous, pointless, or nonsensical
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Why Dictionary.com chose cockamamie
More about cockamamie
- First recorded in 1940鈥�45.
- Of obscure origin; originally used as a slang term for a decal, a transferable image.
- Possibly a children-slang alteration of decalcomania, another word for a decal.
- The sense “ridiculous” probably comes by association with cock-and-bull story and poppycock.
EXAMPLES OF COCKAMAMIE
- He always has one cockamamie excuse or another, like saying the internet only works when he’s barefoot.
- I’m not wasting my weekend on your cockamamie treasure hunt.
51吃瓜 of the Day Calendar