The Merriam-Webster Word of the Day on September 12, 2025, is "flummox," meaning to confuse or perplex. Its etymology remains uncertain, despite its appearance in Dickens' works and earlier Dublin articles. The verb "flummox" first appeared in print around the mid-1830s. An early example showed laborers striking, leaving Lord Cloncurry flummoxed. Being flummoxed implies complete bewilderment and inability to understand. The word's usage became widespread in both British and American English by the late 19th century. Despite its mysterious origin, "flummox" remains a commonly used word. The word effectively conveys a state of utter confusion. Even etymologists are flummoxed by its unclear origins.