Episode Overview

Podcast: Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
Date: November 27, 2025
Word: cornucopia
Host: Peter Sokolowski

This episode dives into the origins, literal and figurative meanings, and cultural significance of the word “cornucopia,” illuminating both its decorative uses and linguistic evolution. The host draws on mythology, etymology, and engaging real-world examples to illuminate the word’s richness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Pronunciation

• Word: cornucopia
• Spelling: C O R N U C O P I A
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Pronunciation and Core Definition:
  • A curved, hollow goat’s horn or similar basket, traditionally overflowing with fruit and vegetables.
  • Serves as a symbol of “abundance.”
  • Most often used today in a metaphorical sense to describe “an overflowing abundance or a seemingly inexhaustible amount of something.”
  • (00:42)

Examples in Use

• Memorable Sentence Example:
  • From the Orange County Register:

    “It was rather dark in there. However, the counters and their cornucopia of offerings were brightly lit. Want chocolate bars? Nasal sprays? Gummy bears? Bath bombs? Tinctures? Vapes? Mints? Jellies? Peanut butter cups? Lemonade? Fruit punch?”

  • (01:42)
  • This example demonstrates the word’s precise use in describing variety and abundance in a modern context.

Etymology & Mythological Roots

• Origins:
  • Derived from the late Latin cornucopiae, meaning “horn of plenty.”
  • Greek Mythology:
    • The original “horn of plenty” belonged to a goat, believed to have fed the infant god Zeus.
    • His nurse, the nymph Amalthea, provided the horn, which could be endlessly refilled.
    • Later, filled with flowers and fruits, it was given as a gift to Zeus.
  • Symbolic Use:
    • The filled horn (or its lookalikes) has become a classic artistic and decorative symbol for plenty and abundance.
    • (01:53)
• Adoption Into English:
  • The word first appeared in the early 16th century.
  • A century later, developed its modern figurative sense (“an overflowing supply”).
  • (02:32)

Host’s Signature Closing

• Peter Sokolowski:
  • “With your word of the day, I’m Peter Sokolowski.”
  • (02:33)

Notable Quotes

• Peter Sokolowski (00:49):

  “A cornucopia, also known as a horn of plenty, is a curved, hollow goat's horn or similarly shaped receptacle, such as a horn-shaped basket, that is overflowing, especially with fruit and vegetables. The image of a cornucopia is commonly used as a decoration and as a symbol of abundance."

• Peter Sokolowski (01:18):

  “But the word cornucopia is today more often encountered in its metaphorical use, referring to an overflowing abundance or to a seemingly inexhaustible amount of something.”

• Peter Sokolowski (01:53):

  “The word cornucopia comes from the late Latin phrase cornucopiae, which translates literally as horn of plenty. A traditional staple of feasts, the cornucopia is believed to represent the horn of a goat from Greek mythology.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:42: Definition, pronunciation, symbolic meaning
• 01:42: Example sentence from the Orange County Register
• 01:53: Etymology and mythological context
• 02:32: Figurative use and adoption into English
• 02:33: Host’s sign-off

Conclusion

This concise yet detailed episode offers a cornucopia of facts about the word “cornucopia”—from its mythological genesis and Latin etymology to its rich figurative use in contemporary language. Peter Sokolowski’s friendly, informative tone makes for an engaging (and ever so abundant) daily language lesson.