In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
UNDERCURRENT
undertone, undercurrent
(noun) a subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning
undertide, undercurrent
(noun) a current below the surface of a fluid
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
undercurrent (plural undercurrents)
A current of water which flows under the surface, and often in a different direction from surface currents.
(figuratively) A tendency of feeling or opinion that is concealed rather than exposed.
Synonyms: subcurrent, subtext
Verb
undercurrent (third-person singular simple present undercurrents, present participle undercurrenting, simple past and past participle undercurrented)
(transitive, also, figuratively) To flow under some surface.
Source: Wiktionary
Un"der*cur`rent, n.
1. A current below the surface of water, sometimes flowing in a contrary direction to that on the surface. Totten.
2. Hence, figuratively, a tendency of feeling, opinion, or the like, in a direction contrary to what is publicly shown; an unseen influence or tendency; as, a strong undercurrent of sentiment in favor of a prisoner. All the while there was a busy undercurrent in her. G. Eliot.
Un"der*cur`rent, a.
Definition: Running beneath the surface; hidden. [R.] "Undercurrent woe." Tennyson.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
10 June 2025
COMMUNICATIONS
(noun) the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.); “communications is his major field of study”
Coffee Trivia
