Word of the Day

: January 4, 2015

bromide

noun BROH-myde

What It Means

1 : a compound of bromine and another element or chemical group

2 a : a commonplace or tiresome person

b : a commonplace or hackneyed statement or idea

bromide in Context

Years of coal mining and natural gas extraction have elevated the concentration of bromides in the river.

"When things go badly wrong-Vladimir Putin's annexation of Crimea, Peyton Manning's dismal Super Bowl performance-some ding-dong will trot out the bromide, 'Oh, well: The best-laid plans of mice and men…'" - Joe Queenan, The Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2014

Did You Know?

After bromine was discovered in 1827, chemists could not resist experimenting with the new element. It didn't take long before they found uses for its compounds, in particular potassium bromide. Potassium bromide was used as a sedative to treat everything from epilepsy to sleeplessness, and by the 20th century, bromide was being used figuratively to apply to anything or anyone that might put one to sleep because of commonness or just plain dullness. Today, bromides are no longer an ingredient in sedative preparations, but we can still feel the effects of figurative bromides as we encounter them in our daily routines.