Word of the Day

: September 20, 2009

sockdolager

noun sock-DAH-lih-jer

What It Means

1 : something that settles a matter : a decisive blow or answer : finisher

2 : something outstanding or exceptional

sockdolager in Context

For a while I was completely stumped, but then, all of a sudden, I got a sockdolager of an idea.

Did You Know?

The verb "sock" ("to punch") and the noun "doxology" ("a hymn of praise to God") may seem like an odd pairing, but it is a match that has been promoted by a few word mavens when discussing the origins of the Americanism "sockdolager." Don't be too quick to believe the hype, however. When a word's origin is simply unknown, as is the case with "sockdolager," there's a tendency for folks to fill in the gap with an interesting story, whether or not it can be verified. In the case of "sockdolager," the "sock" part is plausible but unproven, and the "doxology" to "dolager" suggestion is highly questionable. The theory continues to have many fans, but it can't deliver the knockout punch.