Today's Word: TOBOGGAN (Noun)

Pronunciation: [tê-'bah-gên]

Definition 1: A long, flat-bottomed sled without runners made of slats curled up in front.

Usage 1: Today's word may also be used as a verb signifying the use of a toboggan, as to toboggan down a snowy hill. However, if you are in the Southeastern US where snow is a rarity, be careful using today's word. In the US South it more usually refers to the knitted, stretchable hat that you might pull over your head to toboggan. You are a tobogganer if you toboggan.

Suggested usage: Be sure you know who you are talking to if you say anything like, "Hey, put a toboggan on your head and let's toboggan." Northerners will think you are going to carry your sled on top of your head but Southerners will think you should pull on a knitted cap.

Tobogganing is a headlong plunge downhill, so we could also say, "With the economy tobogganing heaven knows where, it is better to keep your money in a sock under your mattress."

Etymology: Borrowed by French Canadians from an Algonquian language. It was originally spelled tabaganne (Le Clercq 'Nouvelle Relation de la Gaspesie,' 1691, p. 70). The word was probably borrowed from Micmac (Lower Canada, Nova Scotia) "tobâkun," a word related to Abnaki (Quebec and Maine) "udãbãgan," Montaignais "utapan," Cree "otâbânâsk," and Ojibwe "odaban-ak."

(Today we thank Phyllis Rich for spotting an interesting story in today's seasonal word.)

—Dr. Language, www.yourDictionary.com