Podcast Summary: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day – "Superfluous"
Episode Overview On February 25, 2025, Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day podcast featured the adjective "superfluous" as its word of the day. Hosted by Peter Sokolowski, the episode provided an in-depth exploration of the word's definition, usage, etymology, and related terms, aiming to enhance listeners' vocabulary and understanding of nuanced language.
Definition of "Superfluous" Peter Sokolowski introduced "superfluous" as a formal adjective used to describe something that "exceeds what is necessary or sufficient, or that is simply not needed" ([00:10]). He emphasized that the term often conveys the idea of excessiveness beyond utility or requirement.
Notable Quote:
“Superfluous is an adjective... to describe things that exceed what is necessary...” – Peter Sokolowski ([00:10])
Usage Examples To illustrate the usage of "superfluous," Sokolowski provided practical examples:
-
Literary Example: He cited a sentence from Arielle Gordon's article on Pitchfork:
“MJ Linderman sketches a character study of a man so preoccupied with superfluous status symbols that he finds himself totally isolated from the world” ([00:30]).
This example demonstrates how "superfluous" can describe unnecessary societal markers that lead to personal isolation.
-
Hypothetical Scenario: Sokolowski presented a hypothetical situation:
“If, say, you were to go chasing waterfalls in addition to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to, such a pursuit would be superfluous” ([00:50]).
Here, "superfluous" is used to convey that additional waterfalls are unnecessary given the existing rivers and lakes, highlighting the redundancy of the pursuit.
Notable Quotes:
“MJ Linderman sketches a character study of a man so preoccupied with superfluous status symbols that he finds himself totally isolated from the world” – Arielle Gordon via Pitchfork ([00:30])
“Such a pursuit would be superfluous” – Peter Sokolowski ([00:50])
Etymology and Origins Sokolowski delved into the history of "superfluous," tracing its origins back to Middle English, where it was borrowed from the Latin adjective superfluus, meaning "running over." The Latin term derives from the verb superfluere, which combines the prefix super- (“over”) and fluere (“to flow”) ([01:10]).
Notable Quote:
“Superfluous, meaning literally running over...” – Peter Sokolowski ([01:10])
Related Words Exploring the linguistic influence of the Latin root fluere, Sokolowski identified several English words that share this origin:
- Affluent
- Influence
- Fluid
These words, among others, demonstrate how fluere has permeated various aspects of the English language, contributing to terms that describe flow, abundance, and impact ([01:30]).
Notable Quote:
“Fluere also flowed into the English words affluent, influence, and fluid...” – Peter Sokolowski ([01:30])
Conclusion In wrapping up the episode, Peter Sokolowski encouraged listeners to expand their vocabulary and engage with the rich history of English words. He invited the audience to visit merriam-webster.com for more definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups, reinforcing the podcast's mission to provide a "free daily dose of word power" free of advertisements and non-content segments ([01:50]).
Notable Quote:
“With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski. Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay, trending word lookups.” – Peter Sokolowski ([01:50])
Final Thoughts This episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day effectively unpacked the meaning and usage of "superfluous," offering listeners both practical examples and historical context. Through clear explanations and relatable scenarios, Peter Sokolowski provided a comprehensive understanding of the word, empowering the audience to incorporate it confidently into their vocabulary.