Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "Waggish" (December 12, 2025)

Main Theme:
This episode introduces and explores the adjective "waggish," diving into its meaning, examples of usage, and its etymological roots. The featured word sheds light on language’s playful side, helping listeners expand their vocabulary with both humor and context.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Definition and Usage

• [00:37] "Today's word is waggish. Spelled W A G G I S H. Waggish is an adjective. It describes someone who is silly and playful, and especially someone who displays a mischievous sense of humor." – Peter Sokolowski
  • Waggish is used for people who are playful and mischievous in their humor.
  • It can also describe actions or things characteristic of such a person.

Literary Example

• [00:55] "The word can also describe things that such a person might do or possess. Here's the word used in a sentence from the New Yorker by Alexandra Schwartz: 'Patricia Lockwood began her writing life quietly as a poet. She found her first major audience on Twitter, posting self-proclaimed absurdities that quickly came to define the medium's zany waggish ethos.'" – Peter Sokolowski
  • Example shows waggish describing the ethos of playful absurdity on Twitter.

Etymology & Related Terms

• [01:19] "One who is waggish acts like a wag. What, then, is a wag? It has nothing to do with a dog's tail. In this case, a wag is a clever person prone to jo, though lighthearted in its use and meaning."
  • The term wag refers to a joker or prankster, not to be confused with a moving tail.
• [01:32] "The probable source of this particular wag is Grimm. It is thought to be short for waghalter, an obsolete English word that translates as gallows bird. A gallows bird being someone thought to be deserving of hanging, wag being the familiar wag having to do with movement and halter referring to a noose."
  • The etymology traces wag to the now-obsolete word waghalter (gallows bird), despite the word’s fun current usage.
• [01:56] "Despite its gloomy origins, waggish is now often associated with humor and playfulness."
  • Although originating from grim roots, waggish today is positive and lighthearted.

Colloquial Use & Related Words

• [02:03] "A wag is a joker, and waggery is merriment or practical joking. Waggish can describe the prank itself as well as the prankster type."
• [02:11] "The class clown might be said to have a waggish disposition or be prone to waggish antics."
  • The word waggish applies to both actions (pranks) and people (pranksters, class clowns).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:37] Peter Sokolowski: “Waggish is an adjective. It describes someone who is silly and playful, and especially someone who displays a mischievous sense of humor.”
• [00:55] Example: “…posting self proclaimed absurdities that quickly came to define the medium’s zany waggish ethos.” – Alexandra Schwartz, via Peter Sokolowski
• [01:19] “A wag is a clever person prone to jo, though lighthearted in its use and meaning.”
• [01:56] “Despite its gloomy origins, waggish is now often associated with humor and playfulness.”
• [02:11] “The class clown might be said to have a waggish disposition or be prone to waggish antics.”

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:37] – Definition of “waggish” and introduction by Peter Sokolowski
• [00:55] – Example usage in literature
• [01:19] – Explanation of “wag” and its distinction from a dog’s tail
• [01:32] – Etymology: Connection to “waghalter” and “gallows bird”
• [01:56] – Modern sense vs. historical origins
• [02:11] – Usage examples (class clown, waggish antics)

Closing

This episode offers a concise yet insightful deep dive into “waggish,” equipping listeners with both an appreciation for its playfulness and a rich understanding of its background—perfect for anyone wanting to add a clever and cheerful word to their vocabulary.