Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day – September 2, 2025

Episode Theme:
An exploration of the word "carp" as today's featured Word of the Day, delving into its definition, usage, and etymology.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Word Introduction and Definition

• Word: Carp
• Spelling: C A R P
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Definition: To carp is to complain in an annoying way.
  • Host (Peter Sokolowski) [00:41]:

    "Carp is a verb. To carp is to complain in an annoying way."

2. Usage Example

• Sentence from AwardsDaily.com:
  • "David Fincher and Brad Pitt are together again with the sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by David Fincher. And while I hear people carping about the wig on Brad Pitt, to quote Caddyshack, you'll take what you get and like it."
  • Host [00:52]:

    "While I hear people carping about the wig on Brad Pitt, to quote Caddyshack, you'll take what you get and like it."

3. Word Origin and Etymology

• Coincidence with the Fish:
  • The word "carp" (to complain) is unrelated to the noun "carp" (the fish), despite their identical spelling and time of entry into English.
  • Host [01:12]:

    "Though someone might hypothetically carp about the fish known as carp, the similarity between the words is wholly coincidental."

• Historical Roots:
  • Both "carp" (verb) and "carp" (fish) entered English in the 15th century but from different sources.
  • The fish's name comes from late Latin.
  • The verb is of Scandinavian origin, related to the Icelandic word "karpa," meaning "to dispute."
  • Host [01:21]:

    "Like many terms for plants and animals adopted at that point in the language's history, the fish's name traces back to late Latin. But the verb is of Scandinavian origin. It shares an ancestor with the Icelandic verb 'karpa,' meaning to dispute."

4. Playful Commentary

• The host assures listeners that "there's nothing fishy about that," making a pun connecting the two different meanings.
  • Host [01:36]:

    "We promise there's nothing fishy about that."

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Clarifying the Coincidence:
  • "Though someone might hypothetically carp about the fish known as carp, the similarity between the words is wholly coincidental." – Peter Sokolowski [01:12]
• Etymology Tidbit:
  • "The verb is of Scandinavian origin. It shares an ancestor with the Icelandic verb 'karpa,' meaning to dispute." – Peter Sokolowski [01:29]
• Sign-off Pun:
  • "We promise there's nothing fishy about that." – Peter Sokolowski [01:36]

Episode Flow and Listening Guide

• [00:41] — Introduction of the word "carp" and its definition
• [00:52] — Example sentence illustrating usage
• [01:12] — Addressing the noun/verb coincidence
• [01:21] — Explanation of both words’ origins
• [01:36] — Playful closing statement

Closing Thoughts

This concise episode covers all essentials about "carp," from how it’s used to where it comes from, all delivered in the trademark accessible and lighthearted Merriam-Webster style. Listeners walk away with a clear understanding of the word, its proper usage, and a fun etymological fact.