Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: “Glitch” (August 17, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores the word "glitch"—its definition, origins, evolution in meaning, and usage in contemporary language. Host Peter Sokolowski sheds light on how a technical term grew into everyday parlance, highlighting notable historical references and examples.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Usage

• Glitch is a noun, spelled G-L-I-T-C-H.
• The word is informal and most often refers to “an unexpected and usually minor problem,” especially in the context of machinery or technology (e.g., computers).

Contemporary Example

• A sentence from The Atlantic illustrates the word within a real-world context:

  “Glitches in the software soon resulted in hundreds of rural postmasters being falsely accused of theft and summarily fired.”
  (00:51)

Etymology and Historical References

• There’s “a glitch in the etymology” of the word itself. It may come from the Yiddish word for “slippery place,” but the connection is uncertain.
• The earliest known print usage dates to the mid-20th century, where “glitch” described a brief, unexpected surge of electrical current.
• Astronaut John Glenn offered an early public explanation. In his 1962 book Into Orbit, he wrote:

  “Literally a glitch is a spike or change in voltage in an electrical circuit which takes place when the circuit suddenly has a new load put on it.”
  (01:56)

Evolution of Meaning

• Originally technical, “glitch” now broadly refers to any malfunction or snag, trivial or not.
• Gaming culture has adapted the word, using it to refer to unexpected and sometimes advantageous anomalies within games.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the informality and reach of "glitch":

  “Today, the word can be used of any minor malfunction or snag. If you’re a gamer, you might even take advantage of a glitch that causes something unexpected and sometimes beneficial to happen in the game.”
  — Peter Sokolowski (02:19)

• On its mysterious etymology:

  “There’s a glitch in the etymology of the word glitch. It may come from the Yiddish word meaning slippery place, but that’s not certain.”
  — Peter Sokolowski (01:30)

• On John Glenn’s historical usage:

  “Literally a glitch is a spike or change in voltage… when the circuit suddenly has a new load put on it.”
  — Citing John Glenn (01:56)

Timeline of Key Segments

• [00:40] — Introduction and spelling of "glitch"
• [00:51] — Real-world usage example from The Atlantic
• [01:30] — Discussion of etymology and origins
• [01:56] — John Glenn's definition and first uses in print
• [02:19] — Expansion into broad modern usage, including gaming

Tone & Style

The episode, hosted by Peter Sokolowski, is informative, approachable, and peppered with historical anecdotes. The exploration balances linguistic depth with everyday relevance, maintaining Merriam-Webster’s signature clarity and accessibility.

For more definitions and linguistic insights, listeners are encouraged to visit merriam-webster.com.