Word of the Day

: February 16, 2011

chameleon

noun kuh-MEEL-yun

What It Means

1 : a small lizard whose skin changes color especially according to its surroundings

2 a : a person given to often expedient or facile change in ideas or character

b : one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance

chameleon in Context

At the summer resort he acquired a reputation as a social chameleon -- someone who could be whatever his hosts wanted him to be.

"Bill Hader is the rare chameleon who's equally strong as his own man. From hilarious impressions of Vincent Price and Al Pacino to his breathtakingly original Stefon, TV's funniest deviant, the fact that he's still creating unique, gut-busting characterizations in his sixth 'SNL' year makes him a cherished talent." -- From a review in The New York Post, December 26, 2010

Did You Know?

The chameleon is probably best known for the ability to change colors -- but when the ancients named this lizard, they apparently had other qualities in mind. "Chameleon" comes to us, via Latin, from Greek "chamaileōn," a combination of "chamai" ("on the ground") and "leōn" ("lion") -- a tribute, perhaps, to the lizard's fearsome aspect. It is the ability of the chameleon to change colors, however, that has led to the figurative use of "chameleon" for someone or something that is quick to change. Such figurative use dates back to at least the late 16th century, as demonstrated by King James VI who, writing in 1586 or 1587, requested "I praye you not to takk me to be a Camelion."