Today's Words: Juke, Yuppie and Craven

Juke

(jook) verb

to make a move intended to deceive (an opponent)

More about Juke

First used in the 1930s meaning “to dance” at a “juke joint” or to “jukebox" music.”

The current sense of “feinting” or “making a move to deceive an opponent” was in use by the 1970s.

Examples of Juke

The point guard juked her defender with a quick fake before driving to the basket.

The boxer juked to avoid the punch, then countered with a jab.

Yuppie

(yuhp-ee) Noun

a young, ambitious, and well-educated city-dweller who has a professional career and an affluent lifestyle

More about Yuppie

First recorded in 1980–85.

An Americanism; y(oung) u(rban) p(rofessional) 

Examples of Yuppie

The once-quiet neighbourhood is now home to a growing number of yuppies seeking urban lifestyles.

He joked that his avocado toast habit officially made him a yuppie.

Craven

(krey-vuhn) adjective

cowardly; contemptibly timid

More about Craven

First recorded between 1175–1225.

From the Middle English cravant, cravaunde, “defeated,” <Old French craventé, “to crush, overwhelm,” (<Vulgar Latin *crepantāre), influenced by Middle English creaunt, “defeated,” 

Examples of Craven

The craven captain abandoned the ship, leaving his crew behind in the storm.

The craven employee blamed his mistakes on others instead of owning up to them.

Inputs Courtesy: Dictionary.com