Overview

Episode Theme:
This episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day focuses on the word "apropos." The podcast explores its pronunciation, origins, grammatical uses, and provides memorable examples to illustrate its meaning for listeners looking to expand their vocabulary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to "Apropos"

• Spelling: A-P-R-O-P-O-S
• Grammatical Role: Preposition (often used in the phrase "apropos of") and adjective.
• Main meaning: "With regard to."
• Common phrase: "Apropos of nothing"—used when a comment is unrelated to the current conversation.

Example In Context

"Once, at the height of COVID, I dropped off a book at the home of Werner Herzog. I was an editor at the time and was trying to assign him a review. So I drove up to his gate in Laurel Canyon and we had the briefest of masked conversations. Within 30 seconds it turned strange. Do you have a dog? A little dog? He asked me, staring out at the hills of Los Angeles. Apropos of nothing. He didn't wait for an answer, then: 'Be careful of the coyotes.'"
— [00:38–01:27]

This story, quoted from The Atlantic, highlights apropos’s function in signaling an unrelated, sudden topic shift in conversation.

Etymology & Pronunciation

• Origin: From French à propos, meaning "to the purpose."
  • "The word’s emphasis lands on its last syllable, which ends in a silent s: apropos." — [01:35]
• Wearing "its ancestry like a badge, or perhaps more fittingly, a beret." — [01:31]

Grammatical Uses

• As an adjective: Describing something suitable or appropriate.

  "An apropos comment."

• As a preposition, with or without 'of': Meaning "with regard to."

  "Apropos of the decision, implementation will take some time." — [01:44]

• Phrase:

  "Apropos of nothing is used to signal that what follows does not relate to any previous topic." — [01:51]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On its French roots:

  "The word apropos wears its ancestry like a badge, or perhaps more fittingly, a beret." — Peter Sokolowski [01:31]

• On pronunciation:

  "The word’s emphasis lands on its last syllable, which ends in a silent s: apropos." — Peter Sokolowski [01:35]

• On conversational use:

  "The phrase 'apropos of nothing' is used to signal that what follows does not relate to any previous topic." — Peter Sokolowski [01:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:23 — Word introduction and spelling
• 00:38 — Example story from The Atlantic
• 01:31 — Etymology and French connection
• 01:35 — Pronunciation emphasis
• 01:44 — Explanation of grammatical uses
• 01:51 — Description of "apropos of nothing"

Final Thoughts

Peter Sokolowski delivers a crisp and engaging breakdown of "apropos," delving into its function, origins, and use in contemporary English with vivid examples and a light, informative tone. This episode is both accessible for newcomers and enriching for language enthusiasts wishing to use "apropos" more confidently in writing and conversation.