Word for Wednesday: Awkward

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Awkward was first recorded as meaning ‘clumsy’ in the 1520s, and by 1704 referred to someone or something known for his/her/its ‘lack of grace’. It wasn’t until 1788 that the word was used in reference to ‘social embarrassment’.

The word has origins in the Old Norse ‘afugr’ meaning ‘turned the wrong way around’.


02 Dec 2015
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"I would like to thank you so much for this great website. I have always been ashamed of my spelling but after a few lessons I am already better. It is filling in all the gaps. Thanks."

Student, France