grinagog

Pronounced: GRIN-uh-gog, noun

Notes: You may be able to guess the meaning, but I’ve never run across this word

---

Yesterday’s word

The word apotheosis means

• the perfect form or example of something; quintessence
• the highest or best part of something
• elevation to divine status; deification

First usage

Our word came into English in the late 1500s

Background / Comments

I was aware of the third definition; I’ve run across it somewhere or other using that definition. As it happens, the third definition is the original one; it came from the Greek word apotheosis (making into a god), which came from two Greek word apo- (completely; quite) and theos (god). People would elevate someone to god status. This concept has rather died out in modern times, but that sense still survives in the idea of placing someone upon a high pedestal. The other definition arose over time.