Word of the year 2023

In an age where AI and Donald Trump have left many doubting the truth, US dictionary Merriam-Webster has revealed 2023’s most looked-up word. Photo: Pexels

Word of the day: Bully pulpit

Expand your vocabulary with The South African’s word of the day. Each day The South African offers you an opportunity to learn new words.

Word of the year 2023

In an age where AI and Donald Trump have left many doubting the truth, US dictionary Merriam-Webster has revealed 2023’s most looked-up word. Photo: Pexels

Learn some of the most interesting English words from The South African’s WORD OF THE DAY!

If you are a wordsmith or want to learn a new word to impress that special someone, this content is for you!

Today’s word of the day is:

Bully pulpit

Bully pulpit refers to an important public position that allows a person to express beliefs and opinions to many people.

Pronunciation: [BULL-ee-PULL-pit]

Bully pulpit comes from the 26th U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt, who observed that his time in office at the White House was a bully pulpit when he said, “I suppose my critics will call that preaching, but I have got such a bully pulpit!” For Roosevelt, bully was an adjective meaning “excellent” or “first-rate”—not today’s familiar noun bully referring to an abusive meanie. Roosevelt understood the modern presidency’s power of persuasion and recognized that it gave the incumbent the opportunity to exhort, instruct, or inspire.

Example: She uses her position as a famous actress as a bully pulpit to advocate for human rights.

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