In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
UNTOWARD
adverse, inauspicious, untoward
(adjective) contrary to your interests or welfare; “adverse circumstances”; “made a place for themselves under the most untoward conditions”
indecent, indecorous, unbecoming, uncomely, unseemly, untoward
(adjective) not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society; “was buried with indecent haste”; “indecorous behavior”; “language unbecoming to a lady”; “unseemly to use profanity”; “moved to curb their untoward ribaldry”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
untoward (comparative more untoward, superlative most untoward)
Unfavourable, adverse, or disadvantageous.
Unruly, troublesome; not easily guided.
Unseemly, improper.
Synonyms
• (unfavorable, adverse): adverse, disadvantageous, inconvenient, unfavorable, unfortunate
• (unruly, troublesome): difficult, fractious, stubborn, troublesome, uncontrollable, unruly
• (unseemly, improper): immodest, improper, unseemly
Anagrams
• drawn out, drawn-out, outdrawn
Source: Wiktionary
Un*to"ward, prep. Etym: [Unto + -ward.]
Definition: Toward. [Obs.] Gower.
Un*to"ward, a. Etym: [Pref. un- not + toward.]
1. Froward; perverse. "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Acts ii. 40.
2. Awkward; ungraceful. "Untoward words." Creech. "Untoward manner." Swift.
3. Inconvenient; troublesome; vexatious; unlucky; unfortunate; as, an untoward wind or accident.
– Un*to"ward*ly, adv.
– Un*to"ward*ness, n.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Word of the Day
21 February 2025
RESTORATION
(noun) some artifact that has been restored or reconstructed; “the restoration looked exactly like the original”
Coffee Trivia
