Hey, free spirit!

Mugwump is a playful label for someone who's unable to make up their mind on an issue. The term began as a Massachusett word meaning "war leader." Then, in the 1880s, reformers who ditched their party to back Grover Cleveland for president adopted the word, which tends to retain a political bent to this day. When the dinner-table debate starts feeling more like an election campaign, just declare yourself a mugwump and say, "I'll pass."

WORD OF THE DAY

June 30, 2025

mugwump

[ muhg-wuhmp ] noun

a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue

Learn More About This Word

Are Seasons Capitalized or Not?

Ever wondered if summer is spelled with a capital "S"? Find out here.

Keep reading

About Us | Privacy Policy | Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe

This email has been sent to anujshailgupt.worldofwords@blogger.com by Dictionary.com LLC.
777 Mariners Island Blvd, Suite 600, San Mateo, CA 94404

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Get to the Root of "Gutta-Percha"

Hello, vocab adventurer!

Gutta-percha is a naturally rubbery resin tapped from a Southeast Asian tree. It rewired the 1800s by insulating the first undersea telegraph cables and even gave early golf balls their nickname, "gutties." This versatile material is still used by dentists around the world as a root canal filling. Gutta-percha is a fun word to know, but keep up with your flossing if you don't want a mouth full of the stuff!