trivial

Summary

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Overview

Podcast: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Episode Title: Trivial
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Today's episode explores the word "trivial," offering listeners its definition, etymological origins, illustrative examples, and its evolution in meaning. The host unpacks both the roots and everyday usage of the word, adding context and memorable anecdotes for a deeper understanding.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Definition and Usage (00:02–00:24)

• "Trivial" is defined as "of little worth or importance."

• Spelling: T R I V I A L

• Usage in a contemporary context is clarified through a New York Times passage to illustrate its everyday application.

  "No matter how trivial an activity might be, most people seem to feel an innate need to get better at it. Whether it's kids learning double dutch, me just shooting baskets in the driveway, or somebody else proud at how much better he's getting at flipping pancakes."
  — David Brooks, The New York Times [00:09]

2. Etymology and Historical Development (00:25–01:10)

• Originally adopted into English from the Latin word "trivialis" in the 16th century.
• The Latin meaning: "found everywhere" or "commonplace."
• Rooted in the even older term "trivium," from tri- meaning "three" and via meaning "way"—literally, a crossroads or a place where three roads meet.
• The association with "commonplace" stems from the sorts of things encountered at busy crossroads.

3. Evolution of Meaning and Modern Usage (01:11–01:35)

• The modern definition: something "barely worth mentioning."

• Host notes that whether something is trivial is subjective—what's unimportant to one may not be to another.

  "Such judgments are, of course, subjective. Feel free to mention this bit of trivia to anyone and everyone who crosses your path with your Word of the Day."
  — Peter Sokolowski [01:27]

4. Invitation to Engage (01:36–End)

• Listeners are encouraged to share their newfound knowledge and visit the Merriam-Webster website for more words and resources.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On everyday trivialities:

  "No matter how trivial an activity might be, most people seem to feel an innate need to get better at it..."
  — David Brooks (quoted) [00:09]

• On the origin:

  "When English speakers adopted the word trivial from the Latin word trivialis in the 16th century, they used it to mean just what its Latin ancestor meant: found everywhere or commonplace."
  — Peter Sokolowski [00:25]

• On subjectivity:

  "Such judgments are, of course, subjective."
  — Peter Sokolowski [01:27]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 — Introduction of the word and definition
• 00:09 — Usage example (David Brooks quote)
• 00:25 — Etymology and historical meaning
• 01:11 — How the meaning shifted to today’s usage
• 01:27 — Host’s reflection on subjectivity and encouragement to share

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Episode Tone and Style

Peter Sokolowski delivers the episode with a friendly, informative tone, using accessible language and relatable examples. The focus remains on unpacking both the academic and practical aspects of "trivial" while inviting listeners to become ambassadors of word knowledge in their daily lives.

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign it's the Word of the Day podcast for September 3rd. Today's Word is trivial, spelled T R I V I A l. Trivial is an adjective. Something described as trivial is of little worth or importance. Here's the word used in a sentence from the New York Times by David Brooks no matter how trivial an activity might be, most people seem to feel an innate need to get better at it. Whether it's kids learning double dutch, me just shooting baskets in the driveway, or somebody else proud at how much better he's getting at flipping pancakes. When English speakers adopted the word trivial from the Latin word Trivialis in the 16th century, they used it to mean just what its Latin ancestor meant found everywhere or commonplace. But the source of trivialis is about something more specific. Trivium from tri, meaning three, and via, meaning way, means crossroads, place where three roads meet. The link between the two, presumably has to do with the commonplace sorts of things a person is likely to encounter at a busy crossroads. Today, the English word typically describes something barely worth mentioning. Such judgments are, of course, subjective. Feel free to mention this bit of trivia to anyone and everyone who crosses your path with your Word of the Day. I'm Peter Sokolowski. Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending. Word lookups.