nabob

Summary

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "nabob"

Date: July 1, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski
Podcast: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the word "nabob," delving into its meaning, historical origins, and notable moments in its usage. Host Peter Sokolowski presents insights into how the word entered English, its connections to Indian and British history, and its cultural resonance—capped with a famous political usage from the 20th century.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Example

• [00:40] The word "nabob," spelled N-A-B-O-B, is introduced as a noun meaning "a very rich or important person."
  • Example Sentence:

    "NBA nabobs were dismayed by the player empowerment era, where players dictated trades or abandoned teams via free agency." — (Boston Globe, quoted by Peter Sokolowski)

Historical Origins

• The term has roots in the Mogul (Mughal) Empire of India, founded in the 16th century.
  • Urdu Title: The provincial governors in the empire were called "Nawab."
• [01:10] Reference to Captain Robert Covert’s 1612 report, which introduced the English-speaking world to the "Great Mogul" and the title "naubob" for an earl.
  • This marked the entry of the word into English, initially as "naubob," later respelled as "nabob."
• 18th-century Shift:
  • "Nabob" acquired an extended sense—used, often sarcastically, for British officials who amassed great fortunes in Asia and returned home as wealthy elites from the East India Company.

Pop Culture & Memorable Usage

• [01:48] The word rose to famous prominence in American politics:
  • Quote:

    "But the word was most famously used by Vice President Spiro Agnew in a 1970 speech written by William Safire when he referred to critical members of the news media as nattering nabobs of negativism." — Peter Sokolowski

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Definition:

  "A nabob is a very rich or important person."
  — Peter Sokolowski [00:40]

• Historical Introduction:

  "The captain informed the English speaking world that an earl is called a naubob, thereby introducing the English version of the word nabob, as it later came to be spelled." — Peter Sokolowski [01:18]

• Political Catchphrase:

  "The word was most famously used by Vice President Spiro Agnew in a 1970 speech written by William Safire when he referred to critical members of the news media as nattering nabobs of negativism." — Peter Sokolowski [01:48]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:40] — Definition and usage in a modern sentence
• [01:10] — History and passage from Captain Robert Covert's 1612 report
• [01:30] — Extension of meaning in 18th-century British context
• [01:48] — Spiro Agnew’s famous usage in political speech

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Summary & Takeaway

The July 1, 2026, episode of Merriam-Webster’s "Word of the Day" provides a succinct and engaging dive into the etymology, evolution, and cultural footprint of "nabob." Listeners learn that this word not only refers to a wealthy or influential person, but also illustrates the ways in which language travels and transforms with history—from the courts of Mughal India, through British colonialism, and into the lexicon of American political rhetoric.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. It's Merriam Webster's word of the day for July 1st

[B]

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[A]

Today's word is nabob spelled N A B O B. Nabob is a noun. A nabob is a very rich or important person. Here's the word used in a sentence from the Boston Globe NBA nabobs were dismayed by the player empowerment era when where players dictated trades or abandoned teams via free agency. In India's Mogul empire, founded in the 16th century, provincial governors carried the Urdu title of Nawab. In 1612, Captain Robert Covert published a report of his discovery of the Great Mogul, a prince not till now known to our English nation. The captain informed the English speaking world that an earl is called a naubob. The thereby introducing the English version of the word nabob, as it later came to be spelled, gained its extended sense of a prominent person in the 18th century when it was applied sarcastically to British officials of the East India Company returning home after amassing great wealth in Asia. But the word was most famously used by Vice President Spiro agnew in a 1970 speech written by William Safire when he referred to critical members of the news media as nattering nabobs of negativism. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[C]

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