Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 28, 2025, is kerfuffle. This informal noun signifies a disturbance or fuss, often stemming from a dispute. An example is the debate surrounding Pluto's planetary status, which created a kerfuffle among astronomy enthusiasts. The word's origin can be traced to the Scottish verb "fuffle," meaning to muss or disarray. The prefix "car-" likely came from a Scottish Gaelic word meaning "wrong" or "awkward." By the 19th century, "carfuffle" emerged as a noun, later evolving into "kerfuffle." This shift broadened its meaning to a more figurative kind of disruption. The exact reason for the spelling change to "kerfuffle" remains a subject of debate among linguists. One theory suggests influence from onomatopoeic words like "kerplunk." The term describes a noticeable commotion or disagreement.