The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
SACKCLOTH
sackcloth
(noun) a coarse cloth resembling sacking
sackcloth
(noun) a garment made of coarse sacking; formerly worn as an indication of remorse
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
sackcloth (countable and uncountable, plural sackcloths)
A coarse hessian style of cloth used to make sacks.
(Usually paired with 'ashes'), garments worn as an act of penance. Now often used figuratively.
Source: Wiktionary
Sack"cloth`, n.
Definition: Linen or cotton cloth such a sacks are made of; coarse cloth; anciently, a cloth or garment worn in mourning, distress, mortification, or penitence. Gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. 2 Sam. iii. 31. Thus with sackcloth I invest my woe. Sandys.
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”
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