sockdolager (sok-DOL-uh-juhr) noun

   1. A decisive blow or remark.

   2. Something exceptional or outstanding.

[Of unknown origin, apparently from sock.]

This sockdolager of a word has an unusual claim to fame in the US
history. It turned out to be the cue on which John Wilkes Booth
fired his shot at President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was watching the
play "An American Cousin" in Ford Theater on that fateful night. His
killer, Booth, an actor himself and aware of the dialog, knew the line
that brought the loudest burst of laughter from the audience was:

   "Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, you sockdologising
   old man-trap."

Booth fired his gun at that precise moment to muffle the loud noise
of his shot with the guffaws from the audience, and quietly escaped.

   "This year's storm was a sockdolager. The white stuff pounded the East
   Coast."
   Be Prepared, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia), Jan 17, 1996.

Today is Presidents' Day in the US. It's observed on the third Monday
of February to commemorate two of the most popular US presidents: George
Washington (born Feb. 22, 1732) and Abraham Lincoln (born Feb. 12, 1809).
Until 1971 both of these birth days were observed as public holidays,
Then, with typical American efficiency, we took the average of the two
dates and marked a single day -- third Monday of February -- to honor
not only Lincoln and Washington but all US presidents. In fact, almost all
US holidays are now observed on Mondays to create a nice three-day long
week-end.

It's an interesting exercise to look into this best-known office in the
world. It lasts only four years yet billions of dollars are spent to reach
that fabled post. The job entails extensive travel, public speaking,
commanding a large army, and making decisions that affect, for better
or worse, the remotest corners of this earth. To celebrate Presidents'
Day, this week we'll look at a few words with presidential connections. -Anu


Today's AWAD is sponsored by NannyTax, Inc., providing tax compliance services
to employers of domestic help. For useful information and a free consultation,
please visit: http://www.nannytax.com

............................................................................
I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant,
and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these
teachers. -Kahlil Gibran, mystic, poet and artist (1883-1931)

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Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/sockdolager.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/sockdolager.ram