Summary2 min read

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "Blandishment" (June 12, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the word "blandishment," unpacking its meaning, usage, and etymology while illustrating its use with notable references from pop culture and media. The purpose is to deepen listeners' vocabulary and appreciation for the nuances of the English language, delivered in Merriam-Webster's engaging and informative tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Usage

Blandishment is defined as “nice things that you say or do to convince someone to do something.”
Typically used in the plural form: blandishments.
Describes actions or language designed to coax or persuade, usually by flattery.

2. Example Sentences

Cited from the LA Times:

“He sought to turn the attack around by saying his vast wealth, which has allowed him to richly fund his political endeavors, made him immune to the blandishments of plutocrats and corporate interests.”
(00:36)
Pop Culture – Star Wars Reference:
When audiences first meet Lando Calrissian in The Empire Strikes Back, he exudes blandishment:

“...offering flattery, telling Leia, ‘You truly belong here with us among the clouds,’ and gifts to our heroes in the form of food and drink. ‘Will you join me for a little refreshment?’ In order to entice them into what we soon discover is a trap...”
(00:55–01:19)

3. Notable Character Connection

Lando Calrissian’s charm exemplifies blandishments. Even Han Solo’s nickname for him, “old smoothie,” links to the word’s meaning.

4. Etymology

Derived from the verb blandish (“to coax with flattery”), which traces back to the Latin adjective blandus, meaning “influencing others by flattery.”
The word connects to “bland,” often used to mean “boring and flavorless,” but also carrying the meaning “smooth and soothing in manner or quality”—a subtle nod to Lando’s persuasive style.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On definition:

“Blandishments are nice things that you say or do to convince someone to do something.”
– Peter Sokolowski (00:38)
On Lando Calrissian:

“When Star Wars audiences first meet former smuggler Lando Calrissian... he is full of blandishment, offering flattery, telling Leia, ‘You truly belong here with us among the clouds’...”
(00:55)
On etymology and connection to 'bland':

“It was formed from the verb blandish, meaning to coax with flattery. Blandish ultimately comes from the Latin adjective blandus...”
– Peter Sokolowski (01:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:35] — Introduction and spelling of "blandishment"
[00:38] — Definition and plural usage
[00:46] — Example from LA Times
[00:55 – 01:19] — Star Wars/Lando Calrissian reference
[01:25] — Word origins and etymology
[01:57] — Connection to “bland”

Conclusion

This episode not only provides a thorough understanding of the word “blandishment” and its persuasive, often flattering connotation but also enriches listeners’ vocabulary with entertaining cultural references and an exploration of linguistic roots.

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Transcript5 lines

[00:00]
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Foreign.
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It's the Word of the Day podcast for June 12th.
[00:11]
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Not every sale happens at the register. Before AT&T business Wireless checking out customers on our mobile POS systems took too long. Basically a staring contest where everyone loses. It's crazy what people will say during an awkward silence. It's now transactions are done before the silence takes hold. That means I can focus on the task at hand and make an extra sale or two. Sometimes I do miss the bonding time.
[00:35]
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Sometimes AT&T business Wireless connecting changes everything Today's word is blandishment, spelled B L A n D I S H M E N T. Blandishment is a noun. Blandishments are nice things that you say or do to convince someone to do something. Something. Blandishment is usually used in the plural form. Here's the word used in a sentence from the LA Times he sought to turn the attack around by saying his vast wealth, which has allowed him to richly fund his political endeavors, made him immune to the blandishments of plutocrats and corporate interests. When Star wars audiences first meet former smuggler Lando Calrissian, played iconically by Billy Dee Williams in the Empire Strikes Back, he is full of blandishment, offering flattery, telling Leia, you truly belong here with us among the clouds and gifts to our heroes in the form of food and drink. Will you join me for a little refreshment? In order to entice them into what we soon discover is a trap, notably before the whole sordid deal goes down and before Lando's eventual redemption, Han Solo calls him an old smoothie. Lando's verbal smoothness can be linked to the word blandishment, too. It was formed from the verb blandish, meaning to coax with flattery. Blandish ultimately comes from the Latin adjective blandus, meaning influencing others by flattery. Source two of our adjective bland, which typically describes things boring and flavorless, but which can also mean smooth and soothing in manner or quality, a meaning that also applies to everyone's favorite Cloud city administrator. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.
[02:35]
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