Podcast Summary: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day – "Career"

Episode Details

• Title: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
• Host: Peter Sokolowski
• Episode Focus: "Career"
• Release Date: March 6, 2025

Introduction to the Word of the Day: "Career"

In the March 6th episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, host Peter Sokolowski delves into the multifaceted word "career." He begins by spelling out the word and providing its primary definition as a verb.

"Today's word is career, spelled C A R E E R. Career is a verb to career is to go at top speed, especially in a headlong manner."
—Peter Sokolowski [00:45]

Contemporary Usage and Example

Sokolowski illustrates the modern use of "career" by referencing a sentence from Annie Lowery's article in The Atlantic. This example showcases the word in a real-world context, highlighting its application in describing the swift movement of cows during an auction.

"Here's the word used in a sentence from the Atlantic By Annie Lowery this winter I attended a livestock option on California's remote northern coast... most of the cows were hale animals, careering in and cantering out."
—Peter Sokolowski [01:15]

He contrasts this contemporary usage with its equestrian roots, prompting listeners to consider the word's historical connotations.

"If you're already familiar with career's equestrian history, surely you joust."
—Peter Sokolowski [01:25]

Etymology and Historical Context

Sokolowski provides a deep dive into the origins of "career," tracing its roots back to the early 16th century. Initially, the noun form referred to the speed of something moving along a particular course.

"The noun career dates to the early 16th century, when it referred to the speed of something moving along a particular course."
—Peter Sokolowski [01:40]

He further explains how phrases like "to go in full career" encapsulated meanings such as hurdling, barreling, blazing, or zipping, with literary references enhancing the explanation.

"To go in full career or at full career was to hurdle, barrel, blaze, or zip, a meaning employed by Sir Walter Scott in a jousting scene in his historical romance Ivanhoe. With these words, the trumpets sounded and the knights charged each other in full career."
—Peter Sokolowski [02:05]

Evolution of the Verb "Career"

Expanding on the verb form, Sokolowski discusses its original association with the swift actions of horses or riders, citing John Speed's 1611 History of Great Britain as an example.

"The verb career thus originally conveyed the action of a horse or rider making a short gallop or charge, as when the very aptly named John Speed wrote in his 1611 History of Great Britain, his horse of a fierce courage careered as he went."
—Peter Sokolowski [02:30]

He notes the word's evolution, where "career" began to encompass movements like prancing or caracoling, and eventually, rushing forward quickly and recklessly.

"It later gained additional senses applied to the movement of horses, such as to prance or caracole, to turn to one side and another in running, as well as one to rush forward quickly and recklessly."
—Peter Sokolowski [02:50]

Modern Application and Broader Usage

Sokolowski connects the historical meanings to contemporary applications, suggesting that "career" can describe the swift and possibly reckless movement of anything or anyone moving at high velocity.

"That can be applied to anything or anyone feeling their oats velocity wise with your word of the day."
—Peter Sokolowski [03:10]

Conclusion and Additional Resources

Wrapping up the episode, Sokolowski encourages listeners to engage further with Merriam-Webster's resources.

"With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski. Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending word lookups."
—Peter Sokolowski [03:20]

Key Takeaways

• Definition: "Career" as a verb means to move at top speed, especially in a headlong manner.
• Historical Roots: The word originated in the early 16th century, related to the speed of movement along a course, particularly in equestrian contexts.
• Literary References: Usage in Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe and John Speed's History of Great Britain illustrate its historical applications.
• Evolution: Transitioned from describing horse movements to broader applications including reckless or swift actions in various contexts.
• Modern Usage: Continues to describe rapid movement, applicable to both literal and metaphorical scenarios.

Notable Quotes

• "If you're already familiar with career's equestrian history, surely you joust."
  —Peter Sokolowski [01:25]

• "The noun career dates to the early 16th century, when it referred to the speed of something moving along a particular course."
  —Peter Sokolowski [01:40]

For those eager to expand their vocabulary and understanding of words, Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day offers insightful analyses that bridge historical contexts with contemporary usage, enriching both language proficiency and appreciation.