Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
PRETEXT
guise, pretense, pretence, pretext
(noun) an artful or simulated semblance; “under the guise of friendship he betrayed them”
pretext, stalking-horse
(noun) something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
pretext (plural pretexts)
A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.
Synonyms
• See also pretext
Verb
pretext (third-person singular simple present pretexts, present participle pretexting, simple past and past participle pretexted)
To employ a pretext, which involves using a false or contrived purpose for soliciting the gain of something else.
Synonyms
• blag (UK)
Source: Wiktionary
Pre"text, n. Etym: [F. prétexte, L. praetextum, fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, allege as an excuse; prae before + texere to weave. See Text.]
Definition: Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise. They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a pretext of service and kindness. L'Estrange. With how much or how little pretext of reason. Dr. H. More.
Syn.
– Pretense; excuse; semblance; disguise; appearance. See Pretense.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
26 June 2025
DISPIRITEDLY
(adverb) in a dispirited manner without hope; “the first Mozartian opera to be subjected to this curious treatment ran dispiritedly for five performances”
Coffee Trivia
