Terrific

2025-03-27

What if we told you that terrific once meant something terrifying? Words evolve, just like we do, and in this episode of One Word, we’re diving into the fascinating transformation of terrific—from something that instilled fear to something, well, terrific! We’ll unravel the history of this linguistic shift, tracing how and why words often flip their meanings over time. Along the way, we’ll quiz our co-hosts on other words that have done the same (spoiler: awful used to mean full of awe!)...

What if we told you that terrific once meant something terrifying? Words evolve, just like we do, and in this episode of One Word, we’re diving into the fascinating transformation of terrific—from something that instilled fear to something, well, terrific!

We’ll unravel the history of this linguistic shift, tracing how and why words often flip their meanings over time. Along the way, we’ll quiz our co-hosts on other words that have done the same (spoiler: awful used to mean full of awe!), explore John Milton’s Paradise Lost and its grand themes of resilience and redemption, and discuss the science behind humanity’s natural tendency toward positivity.

Can a shift in language reveal something deeper about human nature? Do we lean toward optimism because we need it? And how can reframing our perspectives—just like we do with words—lead to real personal healing and catharsis?

Expect laughter, insight, and a reminder that sometimes, just like words, our lives evolve for the better. Tune in and discover why a little terrific thinking might just be the key to happiness.

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