clement

Today’s word is clement, which isn’t the name of the villain in a Disney movie (though honestly, it sounds like it could be). It literally means mild or merciful — like the perfect slice of pizza that doesn’t burn the roof of your mouth but also doesn’t fall apart mid-bite. Think of it as the word your therapist uses on you after you tell them you yelled at your houseplant before brushing your teeth.

Origin of  First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English either from Old French or directly from Latin clēment-, stem of clēmēns “gentle, merciful” which is basically the opposite of that one friend who insists on pineapple on pizza and then judges you for your popcorn seasoning choices. So go forth today and be clement — unless someone steals your last slice… then all bets are off.

Example: The vagabonds were hoping to find a more clement trailer park friendly world, that was lacking tornadoes and high winds.

How to use: Clement that dastardly villain was on yet another destructive food truck rampage all because he got food poisoning from Jacob’s Hot Chili the night before and the cacophonous bellows that rang out from the outhouse embarrassed him.