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Showing posts with the label in a haphazard manner; without regard for order

Today's Words: Helter-Skelter, Kafkaesque and Goad

Helter-Skelter   (hel-ter-skel-ter) Adverb in a haphazard manner; without regard for order More about Helter-Skelter First recorded in 1585–95. Rhyming compound, perhaps based on unattested skelt, Middle English skelten, “to hasten,” (further origin unknown); reduplication with initial h parallel to hubble-bubble, higgledy-piggledy, etc. Examples of Helter-Skelter The toys were left helter-skelter on the floor after the children’s playdate, creating a mess. The sudden downpour sent people running helter-skelter to find cover from the rain. Kafkaesque (kahf-kuh-esk) Adjective marked by a senseless, disorienting, often menacing complexity More about Kafkaesque First recorded in 1945–50. Formed from Kafka (Franz Kafka) + -esque, suffix indicating style, manner, resemblance, or distinctive character. Aside from the -esque suffix, common words/eponyms formed in this fashion include: Homeric, Platonic, Quixotic, Freudian, Orwellian, and Machiavellian.  Examples of Kafkaesque The movie’s Kafk