Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day is "embarrass," a verb meaning to make someone feel confused and foolish publicly. The word can be exemplified by a speaker being embarrassed by unexpected laughter during a presentation. Creators are encouraged to accept that their future selves will be embarrassed by their past work, indicating personal growth. The historical evolution of "embarrass" provides insight into its meaning. It entered English from French around the late 16th century, initially signifying hampering or impeding progress. This figurative tying up of someone or something is rooted in the Portuguese verb "embaraçar." "Embaraçar" itself combines the prefix "em-" with "baraça," meaning "noose" or "rope." Therefore, the original sense of "embarrass" involved a feeling of being restricted or tied up. While less common now, these hindering senses of "embarrass" remain in use today. However, the primary contemporary meaning is that of causing public confusion and foolishness.