The word of the week: Embiggen

Newly recognized 'Simpsons' word is a really big deal

April 3, 2018 at 4:01PM
"The Simpsons" has officially contributed to the language. Ay, caramba.
"The Simpsons" has officially contributed to the language. Ay, caramba. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Definition: To make bigger or more expansive. (Merriam-Webster)

Sample usage: "A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man." (Jebediah Springfield)

Popularity: The word made its most notable appearance in the above quote from a 1996 "Simpsons" episode, so it's not exactly new. But Merriam-Webster has welcomed it into the official dictionary, so it's now a bonafide word. You know what this means, right? Cromulent in 2019, that's what it means.

JAMES LILEKS

Interested in other words we've dissected? See more at startribune.com/word.

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about the writer

James Lileks

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James Lileks is a Star Tribune columnist.

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