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

Episode Overview

• Title: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
• Host: Merriam-Webster
• Episode: Hew
• Release Date: April 4, 2025

In this episode, Merriam-Webster delves into the word "hew," exploring its definitions, usages, historical context, and the intriguing connection between its literal and figurative meanings. Host Peter Sokolowski guides listeners through a comprehensive analysis, enriched with examples and insightful explanations.

1. Introduction to "Hew"

• Timestamp [00:06]: The episode kicks off with the introduction of the word "hew," pronounced H-E-W. Host Peter Sokolowski clarifies that "hew" functions primarily as a verb.

Definition and Common Usage

• Timestamp [00:15]: Sokolowski explains that "hew" is most commonly paired with the preposition "to," forming the phrase "to hew to," which means to conform to or adhere to something.

• Additional Meanings: Beyond this common usage, "hew" possesses several meanings related to cutting or shaping using a sharp tool, such as an axe. The episode also touches upon its past participles: "hewed" and "hewn."

2. Practical Application and Examples

• Timestamp [00:45]: To illustrate the word's usage, Sokolowski cites a sentence from The New Yorker:

  "Chelsea the play hewed closely to the original script with a few splashes of local color."

  This example demonstrates "hewed" in the context of adhering closely to a source material, highlighting the verb's figurative application.

3. Exploring the Dual Meanings of "Hew"

• Timestamp [01:15]: The host addresses the seemingly arbitrary nature of "hew's" contrasting meanings—cutting/shaping and conforming/adhering.

• Connection Explained: For those unfamiliar with lumberjack terminology, the relationship might not be immediately apparent. Sokolowski bridges this gap by explaining the phrase "hew to the line," where "line" refers to a mark on a log indicating where to chop to shape a beam. Thus, "hewing to the line" literally means cutting along the mark to square the log, metaphorically extending to adhering to a set path or rule.

4. Historical Context and Figurative Usage

• Timestamp [02:00]: Delving into historical usage, the episode explores how "hew to the line" was employed in the 1800s. The phrase was part of a longer idiom:

  "Hew to the line. Let the chips fall where they may."

  This full expression advised individuals to remain steadfast in their actions, regardless of the potential consequences.

• Evolution of the Phrase: Over time, the second part of the idiom—"Let the chips fall where they may"—was often omitted, with "hew to the line" standing alone as a standalone exhortation to maintain one's course of action.

5. Conclusion and Additional Resources

• Timestamp [03:00]: Wrapping up, host Peter Sokolowski encourages listeners to visit Merriam-Webster's website for more definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups. This invitation underscores the podcast's role as a daily resource for expanding one's vocabulary and understanding of nuanced language.

Notable Quotes

• [00:06] Peter Sokolowski: "It's the Word of the Day podcast for April 4th. Today's Word is Hew, spelled H-E-W."

• [00:30] Peter Sokolowski: "Without context, the contrasting meanings of the word 'hew' may seem arbitrary."

• [01:15] Peter Sokolowski: "The connection lies in the woodworking phrase 'hew to the line,' where 'line' refers to the mark along the length of a log indicating where to chop in order to shape a beam."

• [02:00] Peter Sokolowski: "In the 1800s, 'hew to the line' was used figuratively as half of the idiom. 'Hew to the line. Let the chips fall where they may' to advise someone to stay true to a course of action, whatever the consequences may be over time."

Final Thoughts This episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day offers a thorough exploration of "hew," seamlessly connecting its literal and figurative meanings. Through clear definitions, practical examples, and historical context, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the word, enhancing their vocabulary and appreciation for the intricacies of the English language.