Word of the Day: DEBACLE

What a disaster!

debacle (noun) - a complete failure or fiasco; a sudden and sometimes violent collapse, breakup, or dispersion [duh-bak-uhl]

BREAKDOWN: The word debacle comes from the French débâcler, meaning to unbolt, unbar, or clear. The original debacle described the breaking up of ice on a river–as depicted in Claude Monet’s many Debacle paintings–or the turbulent flood that follows. Over time, the word took a more figurative turn to evoke an utter disaster or rout.

“I totally hate when somebody takes a classic and desecrates it. I like Jimmy Page and P. Diddy, but what they did to 'Kashmir' was a debacle.” —Chuck D

[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily derived from classical roots.]