Word of the Day: The English language is filled with words that are as entertaining to say as they are expressive in meaning. One such delightfully dramatic term is discombobulate, a playful yet ...

Subscribe in iTunes ∙ RSS feed ∙ Download ∙ Play in another tab Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield discuss the history of the word discombobulate with Wall Street Journal language columnist Ben Zimmer. For ...

The term first appeared as lighthearted slang in early 19th-century American English. Its exaggerated, nearly humorous rhythm reflects the emotion it conveys.