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

Title: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Host: Peter Sokolowski
Episode: "Juggernaut"
Release Date: March 19, 2025

Introduction to "Juggernaut"

In the March 19, 2025 episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, host Peter Sokolowski introduces the word juggernaut. He begins by spelling the word and providing its part of speech and definition.

Peter Sokolowski [00:00]: "Today's word is juggernaut, spelled J-U-G-G-E-R-N-A-U-T. Juggernaut is a noun. A juggernaut is something such as a force, campaign or movement that is extremely large and powerful and cannot be stopped."

Contemporary Usage Example

Peter enhances understanding by presenting a contemporary example of the word in use, citing a sentence from Variety magazine.

Peter Sokolowski [00:45]: "Here's the word used in a sentence from Variety by Cynthia Littleton. Judd Apatow talked about the box office success of Wicked, the universal musical that became a juggernaut over the holiday season and has been an awards darling."

This example underscores how "juggernaut" is applied to describe phenomena with overwhelming success and influence.

Historical Origins and Etymology

The podcast delves into the historical roots of "juggernaut," tracing its origins back to 14th-century Europe.

Peter Sokolowski [01:30]: "In the early 14th century, Franciscan missionary Friar Oderic brought to Europe the story of an enormous carriage that carried an image of the Hindu God Vishnu, whose title was Jagannath, literally 'Lord of the World,' through the streets of India in religious processions."

Peter explains how Friar Oderic's accounts included dramatic tales of devotees sacrificing themselves to the massive vehicle, although these stories were likely exaggerated.

Peter Sokolowski [01:50]: "Oderic reported that some worshippers deliberately allowed themselves to be crushed beneath the vehicle's wheels as a sacrifice to Vishnu. That story was likely an exaggeration or misinterpretation of actual events, but it spread throughout Europe."

Evolution of the Term's Meaning

The discussion transitions to how "juggernaut" evolved in the English language, influenced by European interpretations of the original Sanskrit term.

Peter Sokolowski [02:10]: "The tale caught the imagination of English listeners, and they began using the word juggernaut to refer to any massive vehicle such as a steam locomotive, and to any other enormous entity with powerful crushing capabilities."

Modern Usage and Figurative Meaning

Peter highlights the contemporary, more figurative applications of "juggernaut," contrasting its literal and metaphorical uses.

Peter Sokolowski [02:35]: "While the word is still used sometimes in British English to refer to a very large heavy truck, also called a juggernaut lorry, juggernaut is more commonly used figuratively for a relentless force, entity, campaign or movement, as in a political, economic or cultural juggernaut."

This section emphasizes how the term has broadened from its original context to describe formidable forces in various sectors.

Conclusion and Further Resources

In closing, Peter encourages listeners to explore more about the word and engage with additional resources.

Peter Sokolowski [03:00]: "With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski. Visit Merriam-Webster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending word lookups."

Key Takeaways

• Definition: "Juggernaut" refers to an unstoppable force, campaign, or movement.
• Historical Roots: Originates from the Sanskrit "Jagannath," associated with a massive religious carriage.
• Evolution: Transitioned from describing large physical objects to embodying metaphorical forces.
• Modern Usage: Predominantly used to portray powerful, relentless entities in various contexts.

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of "juggernaut," blending linguistic definition with historical context and contemporary application, making it a valuable resource for enhancing word power.