In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
LINCHPIN
linchpin, lynchpin
(noun) pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on
anchor, mainstay, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin
(noun) a central cohesive source of support and stability; “faith is his anchor”; “the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money”; “he is the linchpin of this firm”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
linchpin (plural linchpins)
A pin inserted through holes at the end of an axle or shaft, so as to secure a wheel or shaft-mounted device.
(figuratively) A central cohesive source of stability and security; a person or thing that is critical to a system or organisation.
Usage notes
• Figurative use attested from the mid-20th century.
Source: Wiktionary
Linch"pin`, n. Etym: [AS. lynis the axletree; akin to D. luns linchpin, OS. lunisa, LG. lunse, G. lĂĽnse, OHG. lun peg, bolt.]
Definition: A pin used to prevent the wheel of a vehicle from sliding off the axletree.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
26 June 2024
INCORPORATE
(verb) include or contain; have as a component; “A totally new idea is comprised in this paper”; “The record contains many old songs from the 1930’s”
Coffee Trivia
