chutzpah

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 18, 2025 is "chutzpah", a noun that refers to shameless or disrespectful boldness often paired with reckless self-confidence. Someone with chutzpah dares to do or say things that seem shocking to others. The word is often used to describe someone who takes bold action despite potential consequences. For example, it took a lot of chutzpah for someone to stand up to their boss in a bold manner. The word "chutzpah" has been part of the English language since the mid-1800s and comes from the Yiddish word "khutspe", which is derived from the Hebrew word "ḥuṣpāh". The "ch" in "chutzpah" represents a rasping sound from the back of the throat, which is not part of English phonology, leading to variations in pronunciation and spelling. Some Yiddish speakers feel that the word has lost its original meaning in English, which implies a monumental level of gall or audacity. A classic example of the word's original meaning can be found in Leo Rosten's 1968 book "The Joys of Yiddish", which defines chutzpah as the quality of someone who kills their parents and then asks for mercy because they are an orphan. The word is often used to describe someone who is bold and confident, but also reckless and shameless. Overall, "chutzpah" is a unique word that adds flavor to the English language.