About this episode
This episode discusses the word 'gallivant', its meaning, usage, and etymology.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 9, 2026 is: gallivant • \GAL-uh-vant\ • verb To gallivant is to go or travel to many different places for pleasure. Gallivant is a somewhat informal word that is often applied when the user of the word does not approve of such pleasurable traveling. // They’ve been gallivanting all over town instead of studying for their finals. See the entry > Examples: “These days, she can be found gallivanting around the Upper West Side, catching the latest Broadway shows and occasionally hopping onstage to belt show tunes with the waitstaff at her beloved Times Square restaurant, where she remains hands-on with the business.” — McKenzie Beard, The New York Post , 18 Feb. 2026 Did you know? Back in the 14th century, gallant , a noun borrowed from the French word galant , referred to a fashionable young man. By the middle of the next century, it was being used more specifically to refer to such a man who was attentive to, and had a fondness for, the company of women. In the late 17th century, this “ladies’ man” sense gave rise to the verb gallant to describe the process a suitor used to win a lady’s heart, and “gallanting” became…
People in this episode
Host: Merriam-Webster
Topics covered
- language
- travel
- pleasure
- etymology
- informal language
Keywords
- gallivant
- travel
- pleasure
- informal
- etymology
- language
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