interloper

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day

Episode: “interloper”
Host: Peter Sokolowski (for Merriam-Webster)
Date: June 5, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode introduces and explores the word “interloper,” diving into its meaning, etymology, and usage in modern contexts. Host Peter Sokolowski provides vivid illustrative examples, both in daily life and linguistics, making an engaging case for understanding and using this word.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Usage

• Definition:
  • An interloper is “a person who intrudes in a place or sphere of activity in which they are not wanted or welcomed by the other people present.”
    • [00:42] Peter Sokolowski:

      "An interloper is a person who intrudes in a place or sphere of activity. They are not wanted or welcomed by the other people present."

• Example in a sentence:
  • From the Waterloo Region:

    “My garden is wildlife friendly, sometimes too friendly. By not being overly concerned about interlopers, it welcomes birds and bugs, now including beneficial insects. They help keep things in balance. Not so welcome are rabbits, but they still find their way in. If you keep chickens, a coyote loping around in the vicinity of your coop is not welcome. You’d be justified both semantically and etymologically in calling such a coyote an interloper.”

    • [00:57]

2. Etymology and Linguistic Notes

• Breakdown of the word
  • The “loper” part connects to verbs meaning “to leap” or “to run”:

    "The loper part of interloper shares an ancestor with the Old English verb klepan, meaning to leap, and the Dutch verb lopen, meaning to run. The verb lope does too."

    • [01:36]
  • The prefix “inter-” means “between or among.” Thus, the concept is “one that leaps in among others.”
• Word History
  • “Interloper” entered the English language in the late 1500s.
  • The related verb “interlope” emerged soon thereafter, likely as a back formation.

    "To so interloper made itself at home among English speakers in the late 1500s. The verb interlope, which arrived close in tow in the early 1600s, is likely a back formation."

    • [02:07]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On calling a coyote an interloper:

  “If you keep chickens, a coyote loping around in the vicinity of your coop is not welcome. You’d be justified both semantically and etymologically in calling such a coyote an interloper.”

  • [01:19], Peter Sokolowski

• On the vividness of the word:

  “An interloper is essentially one that leaps in among others…”

  • [01:56], Peter Sokolowski

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:42] - Word Introduction & Definition
• [00:57] - Example Sentence (Wildlife in the Garden Example)
• [01:36] - Etymology (“loper” and “inter-”)
• [01:56] - The Metaphoric Leap: Interloper as One who Leaps In
• [02:07] - Arrival in English & Back-formation of "Interlope"

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Language & Tone

Peter Sokolowski’s delivery is clear, warm, and educational—a signature Merriam-Webster tone. His explanations blend linguistic detail with everyday relatability, making the word vivid and easy to remember.

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Summary Takeaway

“Interloper” isn’t just a word for unwelcome human guests—it extends to anything that intrudes where it’s not wanted, whether mischievous rabbits or roving coyotes. By unpacking its roots and real-world usage, the episode gives listeners powerful vocabulary plus a dash of etymological insight, in just under two minutes.

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign. It's Merriam Webster's Word of the Day for June 5th.

[B]

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[A]

Today's word is interloper, spelled I N T E R L O P E R Interloper is a noun. An interloper is a person who intrudes in a place or sphere of activity. They are not wanted or welcomed by the other people present. Here's the word used in a sentence from the Waterloo region My garden is wildlife friendly, sometimes too friendly. By not being overly concerned about interlopers, it welcomes birds and bugs, now including beneficial insects. They help keep things in balance. Not so welcome are rabbits, but they still find their way in. If you keep chickens, a coyote loping around in the vicinity of your coop is not welcome. You'd be justified both semantically and etymologically in calling such a coyote an interloper. The loper part of interloper shares an ancestor with the Old English verb klepan, meaning to leap, and the Dutch verb lopen, meaning to run. The verb lope does too. The prefix inter means between or among, so an interloper is essentially one that leaps in among others, for example, a flock of hens without an invitation to so interloper made itself at home among English speakers in the late 1500s. The verb interlope, which arrived close in tow in the early 1600s, is likely a back formation with your word of the day. I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[C]

Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending. Word lookups.