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

Release Date: April 14, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Introduction

In the April 14th episode of Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day" podcast, host Peter Sokolowski delves into the term "druthers." This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the word's definition, usage, historical origins, and evolution in the English language.

Definition of "Druthers"

Peter Sokolowski opens the episode by spelling out the word and providing a clear definition:

"Today's Word is Druthers, spelled D R U T H E R S. Druthers is a plural noun. It's an informal word that refers to the power or opportunity to choose, in other words, free choice. It's used especially in the phrase if one had one's druthers."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:06]

This definition establishes "druthers" as a colloquial term emphasizing personal preference and the ability to make choices freely.

Usage in Contemporary Context

To illustrate the word's application in modern language, Sokolowski references a quote from Drew Hancock as featured in Variety:

"If I had my druthers, if I made the sequel to Companion, it would just be a shot of her on the side of the road cutting out her tracking chip and then cutting to her on a farm with a couple of million dollars."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:30]

This example demonstrates how "druthers" is employed to express hypothetical preferences or alternative scenarios in creative contexts.

Evolution from Singular to Plural Noun

Sokolowski highlights the transition of "druthers" from its singular form, "druther," to its more commonly used plural form. He notes:

"Nowadays, you're much more likely to encounter the plural noun druthers than its singular forebear. But that wasn't always the case. Druther, an alteration of 'would rather' in some American English dialects, first appeared in writing in the late 1800s."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:55]

This segment traces the word's origins back to the late 19th century, indicating its roots in American English dialects as a variation of "would rather."

Literary Usage and Metanalysis

The podcast delves into literary instances of "druthers," specifically referencing Mark Twain's work:

"That is the way I druther have it," says Huck to Tom in Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer Detective, a sequel to the more famous Adventures of Tom Sawyer, which also included the word druther.
— Peter Sokolowski [01:20]

Sokolowski explains that Twain's incorporation of "druther" in dialogue is an example of metanalysis—the shifting of a sound from one element of a phrase to another:

"This example of metanalysis, the shifting of a sound from one element of a phrase to another, had been around for some time in everyday speech when Twain put the word in Huck's mouth."
— Peter Sokolowski [01:40]

This linguistic phenomenon contributed to the evolution of "druther" into the now more prevalent "druthers."

Transition to Plural Usage

Further discussing the word's grammatical shift, Sokolowski mentions:

"By then, in fact, druthers had also become a plural noun, so Tom could reply, 'there ain't any druthers about it, Huck Finn.'"
— Peter Sokolowski [01:55]

This example underscores how "druthers" solidified its place as a plural noun within literature and everyday language.

Popularity Trajectory

Addressing the word's rise in popularity, Sokolowski observes:

"Druthers didn't overtake druther in popularity, at least in print, until the mid-1900s."
— Peter Sokolowski [02:10]

This statement highlights the gradual acceptance and increased usage of "druthers" over its singular predecessor during the 20th century.

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Peter Sokolowski reinforces the day's exploration of "druthers" and 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 [02:25]

Key Takeaways

• Definition: "Druthers" is an informal plural noun meaning the power or opportunity to choose.
• Usage: Commonly found in phrases like "if one had one's druthers."
• Etymology: Originates from "druther," a variant of "would rather," first appearing in the late 1800s.
• Literary Presence: Featured in Mark Twain's works as an example of metanalysis.
• Popularity: The plural form "druthers" gained prominence in print during the mid-1900s.

This episode serves as an insightful examination of "druthers," providing listeners with a thorough understanding of its meaning, historical context, and place in modern English.