Word of the Day, August 13: ‘Quomodocunquizing’

Word of the Day: QUOMODOCUNQUIZING

Pronunciation: UK /ˌkwɒm.əʊ.dəʊˈkʌŋ.kwɪz.ɪŋ/ US /ˌkwoʊ.moʊ.doʊˈkʌŋ.kwɪz.ɪŋ/

Meaning

'Quomodocunquizing' is an extremely rare word meaning trying to make money by any possible means.

It comes from the verb "quomodocunquize". The word can suggest an intense focus on making money, although its historical use is so limited that it is better treated as an obscure or archaic term rather than a word commonly used in modern English.

Examples for daily usage

• The character's quomodocunquizing nature made him willing to chase every possible source of income.
• In today's gig economy, some people seem to spend their lives quomodocunquizing.

Origin and history

The history of "quomodocunquizing" is particularly unusual. The word is recorded in connection with Sir Thomas Urquhart, a 17th-century Scottish writer and translator.

Historical dictionary records trace it to Latin quomodocunque, meaning "in whatever way" or "by whatever means", combined with the English suffix "-ize". The resulting verb was quomodocunquize, with quomodocunquizing being its present participle.

The earliest recorded example dates to 1652, in a work by Urquhart. The historical dictionary Murray's New English Dictionary, the predecessor of the Oxford English Dictionary, records Urquhart's phrase "quomodocunquizing clusterfists and rapacious varlets."

The word's history is important because "quomodocunquize" is considered a nonce word, meaning a word coined for a particular occasion rather than one that became established in general use. Collins also describes it as potentially obsolete and notes that the term is being monitored for evidence of usage.

Also Read: Word of the Day, August 12

Cultural significance and modern usage

Unlike words such as "entrepreneurial," "money-making" or "profit-seeking," quomodocunquizing is not part of ordinary modern English. Its appeal lies largely in its extraordinary construction and its ability to describe a very specific idea in a single word.

The term has nevertheless attracted renewed attention in recent years as a curiosity in English vocabulary. Modern Word of the Day features have used it to discuss the pursuit of money and the lengths people may go to in order to make a profit.

It is worth noting that some modern explanations give the word a stronger sense of making money regardless of ethics. The historical dictionary definition, however, is more simply "to make money in any possible way."

Interesting facts

Its earliest recorded use dates back to 1652, making it more than three centuries old.

Examples from literature

The most important literary example comes from Sir Thomas Urquhart's 1652 writing, which contains the recorded phrase:

"quomodocunquizing clusterfists and rapacious varlets" 

Synonyms

• Money-grubbing
• Profit-driven

Antonyms

• Philanthropic
• Generous

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