Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

JadziaDax · 09-26-2003, 01:04 AM

The Word of the Day for September 26 is:

megillah • \muh-GHIH-luh\ • (noun) slang: a long involved story or account

A little more information about today’s word:
Although "megillah" is a slang word in English, it has perfectly respectable Hebrew origins. "Megillah" derives from the Yiddish "megile," which itself comes from the Hebrew word "mĕgillāh," meaning "scroll" or "volume." ("Mĕgillāh" is especially likely to be used in reference to the Book of Esther, which is read aloud at Purim celebrations.) It makes sense, then, that when "megillah" first appeared in English in the mid-20th century, it referred to a story that was so long (and often also tedious or complicated) that it was reminiscent of the length of the mĕgillāh scrolls. The Hebrew word is serious, but the Yiddish "megile" can be somewhat playful, and our "megillah" has also inherited that lightheartedness.

My sentence:
Mom could never make a long story short—she always had to tell the whole megillah in excruciating detail.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

09-26-2003, 01:04 AM	#126 (permalink)
JadziaDax Loser Location: who the fuck cares?	Word of the day September 26 The Word of the Day for September 26 is: megillah • \muh-GHIH-luh\ • (noun) slang: a long involved story or account A little more information about today’s word: Although "megillah" is a slang word in English, it has perfectly respectable Hebrew origins. "Megillah" derives from the Yiddish "megile," which itself comes from the Hebrew word "mĕgillāh," meaning "scroll" or "volume." ("Mĕgillāh" is especially likely to be used in reference to the Book of Esther, which is read aloud at Purim celebrations.) It makes sense, then, that when "megillah" first appeared in English in the mid-20th century, it referred to a story that was so long (and often also tedious or complicated) that it was reminiscent of the length of the mĕgillāh scrolls. The Hebrew word is serious, but the Yiddish "megile" can be somewhat playful, and our "megillah" has also inherited that lightheartedness. My sentence: Mom could never make a long story short—she always had to tell the whole megillah in excruciating detail. Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition. Next sentence?