Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "Vamoose"

Episode Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the word "vamoose" as Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day, delving into its meaning, usage, sentence example, and interesting etymology. Host Peter Sokolowski highlights its informal place in the English language and traces its colorful journey from Spanish origins to American slang.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Usage

• Spelling & Function:
  "Vamoose" is spelled V-A-M-O-O-S-E and is a verb.

• Meaning:
  An informal word meaning “to depart quickly.”

• Example Sentence (from Picton County Weekly News):

  "I spotted the culprit, a young raccoon attempting to dislodge one of my feeders. Caught in the act, he ran for his life when I opened the window and told him to vamoose."
  [00:42]

2. Historical Context & Etymology

• Wild West Connections:
  The word’s adoption traces back to the 1820s and 1830s in the American Southwest, during an era described as “rough and tumble territory, the true Wild West.”
  [01:10]

• Cultural Intermixing:

  • English-speaking cowboys, Texas Rangers, and gold prospectors often mingled with Spanish-speaking vaqueros in local saloons.
  • Resulted in a natural blending of languages.

• Origin in Spanish:

  • The Spanish term “vamos,” which means “let’s go,” became popular among English speakers.
  • Adoption included various spellings and pronunciations before settling on “vamoose."
    [01:27]

• Standardization:

  • “When the dust settled, the version most American English speakers were using was vamoose.”
    [01:37]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the word’s evolution:

  “Cowpokes and dudes alike adopted the word at first using a range of spellings and pronunciations that varied considerably in their proximity to the original Spanish form. But when the dust settled, the version most American English speakers were using was vamoose.”
  —Peter Sokolowski [01:28]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:42] — Introduction of today's word: "vamoose" (spelling, part of speech, and definition)
• [00:52] — Example sentence featuring "vamoose"
• [01:10] — Historical background: linguistic mixing in the American Southwest
• [01:27] — Origin from Spanish "vamos" and how the word evolved in English
• [01:37] — Final note on the form “vamoose” becoming standard

Tone and Language

The tone is friendly, informative, and conversational, characteristic of Merriam-Webster’s style, engaging listeners with both linguistic insights and a touch of storytelling about the American West.

Summary

In this episode, Peter Sokolowski breaks down the informal verb "vamoose"—its definition, origins, and usage—while serving up an engaging history lesson about the word’s journey from Spanish "vamos" to its wild west and modern English connotations. The segment is both educational and entertaining, perfect for word enthusiasts and history buffs alike.