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Word of the day June 23
The Word of the Day for June 23 is:
cockalorum • \kah-kuh-LOR-um\ • (noun) 1. a boastful and self-important person; 2. boastful talk
A little more information about today’s word:
The image of a rooster (a.k.a. cock) strutting confidently across the barnyard or belting out a triumphant crow has long been associated with brash self-confidence. It’s an association that has left quite a mark on the English language, giving us "crow" ("to brag"), "cock" ("a self-important person"), and "cocky" ("overconfident"), just to name a few. "Cockalorum" (which may have derived from the obsolete Flemish word "kockeloeren," meaning "to crow") is another example. It dates back to 1715 when it was used to describe the Marquis of Huntly—son of the Duke of Gordon, a Celtic Highlander chief who was himself known as the "Cock of the North." Presumably, the Marquis was not exactly known for his humility!
My sentence (using definition #2):
Old Colonel Popin’s stories usually centered on exaggerated accounts of his heroism, and his incessant cockalorum annoyed many of his listeners.
Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.
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