14 September 2016

gewgaw

[gyoo-gaw, goo-]

noun

1. something gaudy and useless; trinket; bauble.

Also, geegaw.

Origin of gewgaw

Middle English

1175-1225; Middle English giuegaue; gradational compound of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to Middle French, French gogo (see À gogo )

Related forms

gewgawed, adjective

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for gewgaw

Historical Examples

To the gewgaw fetters of rhyme (invented by the monks to enslave the people) I have a rooted objection.
Rejected Addresses
James Smith

Then sprang into existence the tawdry, the common, the gewgaw.
The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
James McNeill Whistler

Some of them have been won by a mess of pottage, a mere bauble or a gewgaw.
Prisons and Prayer: Or a Labor of Love
Elizabeth Ryder Wheaton

Today’s quote

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.

– Voltaire

On this day

14 September 1752 – the British Empire commences using the Gregorian calendar instead of the Julian calendar. To balance the calendar, the 10 days from 3 September to 13 September are written off. This is because the Gregorian claimed the annual cycle was 365.2425 days. The Julian calendar averaged out at 365.25 days per year, but used 365 days each year with an extra day every four years to allow for the rounded down amount.

14 September 1812 – Fire of Moscow – French troops under the command of Napoleon defeat Russian troops in the Battle of Borodino and invade Moscow. Count Fyodor Rostopchin orders Russian citizens to destroy the Kremlin and other major buildings as they retreat. The fires burn for 4 days and destroy around 75% of Moscow.

14 September 1983 – birthday of Amy Winehouse. English singer-songwriter. Died 23 July 2011.