Word of the Day : May 5, 2019

trivial \TRIV-ee-ul\ adjective

Definition

1 a : of little worth or importance

b : relating to or being the mathematically simplest case; specifically : characterized by having all variables equal to zero

2 : commonplace, ordinary

3 : of, relating to, or constituting a species and especially a biological species

Did You Know?

Trivial comes from a Latin word meaning "crossroads"—that is, where three roads come together. Since a crossroads is a very public place where all kinds of people might show up, trivialis came to mean "commonplace" or "vulgar." Today, the English word has changed slightly in meaning and instead usually describes something barely worth mentioning. Extending that meaning to the related noun might sound unnecessarily harsh for a word we associate with pub quizzes, but the original notion behind trivia was that whatever qualified wasn't something you should worry about not knowing. Before it became the name of a board game, trivial pursuit referred to something in which one takes an interest but that is ultimately inconsequential.

Aired May 5, 2019

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