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May 23, 2022
This week’s theme
Words that sound dirty (but aren’t)

This week’s words
nudum pactum
titubation
twattle
cock of the walk
penetralia

nudum pactum
Cartoon: Wela Quan

Previous week’s theme
Unusual synonyms
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A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

A nudum pactum is an unenforceable agreement, not a pact made by people who call themselves naturists. The word is more related to the bar than to bare. Although, etymologically speaking, there’s some baring going on.

The rest of the words we feature this week have the same premise. They may appear titillating, but there’s nothing to titter about. Other than their fallacious sounds, they are perfectly serviceable words, an asset to anyone’s vocabulary.

If you don’t receive one or more words this week, chances are it’s your school or corporation email nanny trying to protect you from these corrupting words.

nudum pactum

PRONUNCIATION:
(NOO/NYOO-duhm PAK-tuhm)

MEANING:
noun: An unenforceable contract, one that’s void because of lack of consideration (something of value promised in exchange).

ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin nudus (bare) + pactum (pact). Earliest documented use: 1603.

USAGE:
“Of course, if they’re what you can’t have, they’re without value and your bargain is nudum pactum.”
John D. Casey; Testimony and Demeanor; Knopf; 1979.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
A house is no home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. -Margaret Fuller, author, critic, and women's rights advocate (23 May 1810-1850)

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