Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "Hagiography" Episode Release Date: February 12, 2025

Introduction

In the February 12th episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, host Peter Sokolowski delves into the term "hagiography." This episode offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of the word's meaning, usage, and etymological roots, providing valuable insights for both language enthusiasts and casual listeners seeking to enhance their vocabulary.

Definition and Pronunciation

Peter begins by introducing "hagiography" as the day's featured word:

Peter Sokolowski [00:41]: "Today's Word is hagiography. It's also pronounced hagiography or hagiography, and spelled H A G I O G R A P H Y."

He clarifies that hagiography is a noun defined as:

Peter Sokolowski [00:41]: "Hagiography is a biography that idealizes or idolizes a person and their life."

This definition sets the stage for understanding how the term is applied in various contexts, particularly in literature and media.

Usage in Context

To illustrate the usage of hagiography, Peter references a sentence from a contemporary example:

Peter Sokolowski [00:41]: "Here's the word used in a sentence from the New York: 'The Sisters' show can sometimes feel like hagiography. There is little discussion of Basquiat's demons or the aspects of his home life that may have been difficult.'"

This example highlights how hagiography can describe works that portray individuals in an overly favorable light, often omitting more complex or challenging aspects of their lives.

Etymology and Components

Delving deeper into the word's structure, Peter breaks down hagiography into its constituent parts:

Peter Sokolowski [00:42]: "The second part of the word hagiography is familiar, the combining form 'graphy' G R a P H y, which comes from the Greek verb 'graphein,' meaning to write, and is found in 'biography' and 'calligraphy,' among many others."

He then explores the more unusual first part of the word:

Peter Sokolowski [00:42]: "'Hagio,' however, is more unusual. It comes from a Greek word that meant 'holy' or 'sacred' in ancient Greek and more recently, 'saintly,' by way of the term 'hagiographa,' another term for the Ketuvim, the third part of the Jewish scriptures."

This etymological exploration underscores the sacred or saintly connotations embedded within the term hagiography, connecting it to religious and literary traditions.

Modern Usage and Connotations

Peter further explains how hagiography is applied in contemporary English:

Peter Sokolowski [00:43]: "English's word hagiography can refer to biography of actual saints, but it's more typically applied to biography that treats ordinary human subjects as if they were saints."

This distinction clarifies that while hagiography can pertain to the lives of actual saints, it is more commonly used to critique biographical works that idealize their subjects beyond a balanced portrayal.

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Peter reinforces the day's learning objective:

Peter Sokolowski [02:00]: "With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski."

Listeners are encouraged to integrate hagiography into their vocabulary to articulate nuanced critiques of biographical narratives that may overlook the full complexity of their subjects.

Additional Resources

For those interested in expanding their linguistic horizons, Peter directs listeners to Merriam-Webster's platform:

Unknown Speaker [02:00]: "Visit Merriam Webster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending word lookups."

This invitation serves as a springboard for further exploration of words and their intricate meanings.

Key Takeaways:

• Hagiography is a noun referring to a biography that idealizes or idolizes its subject.
• The word combines "hagio-" (holy or saintly) with "-graphy" (writing).
• While it can pertain to actual saints, hagiography often critiques biographies that gloss over the complexities of their subjects.
• Understanding such terms enhances one's ability to critically engage with biographical narratives in literature and media.

By dissecting hagiography, Merriam-Webster equips listeners with a deeper appreciation for language's ability to convey subtle critiques and observations about how individuals are portrayed in various forms of writing.