Pronounced: SKAN-duhnt, adj
Notes: A new word to me, but a useful one
Yesterday’s word
The word ludic means “of, relating to, or characterized by play; playful”
First usage
Our word came into English in the 1930s
Background / Comments
Psychologists wanted a word do describe what children do — apparently, the word “playing” didn’t sound good enough for them — and came up with the phrase ludic activity, and then the word ludic caught on. These days it can refer to playful architecture, or narrative that is humorous, or even light literature. Our word came from the Latin noun ludus (stage shows; games; shorts; jokes). Our word ludicrous comes from the same Latin source.
Richard's Vocabulary Word-of-the-Day 