Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 11, 2026, is "saturnine." This literary adjective describes people or things that are glum, grumpy, or suggest gloom. It can also indicate a slowness to act or change. A walk in the sunshine is presented as a way to lift spirits, even those of the most saturnine individuals. The word's origins are deeply rooted in ancient beliefs. It ultimately derives from Sāturnus, the Roman god of agriculture. Sāturnus was often portrayed as an elderly, stern, and sluggish figure. The planet Saturn, named after this god, also appears to move slowly in its orbit. Ancient Romans associated those born under Saturn's influence with gloominess. This belief is exemplified by the character Eeyore, a famously saturnine donkey. Eeyore embodies a gloomy and cynical disposition.