Word of the Day: HURRIQUAKE

hurriquake (noun) - a hurricane and earthquake happening at the same location at the same time; the first ever hurriquake occurred in California on August 20, 2023 and was not as cataclysmic as expected. [hur-i-kweyk]

BREAKDOWN: This brand new portmanteau combines two words for natural disasters. The word hurricane comes from the Spanish hurucan. The word earthquake is derived from Old English cwacian meaning quake or tremble.

“‘Hurriquake’ is a new one for us, too.” —Merriam-Webster

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