Word of the Day: TAWDRY Pronunciation: UK: /ˈtɔːdri/ or US: /ˈtɔːdri/

Meaning:
Something that is tawdry is showy and flashy but of cheap or poor quality.

It often describes items that are "gaudy" or tasteless. In a moral sense, it can also refer to actions or situations that are sordid, sleazy, or unpleasant.

Example for daily usage:

• "The shop was filled with tawdry plastic souvenirs that looked as though they would break the moment they were touched."
• "The newspapers were full of the tawdry details of the scandal, focusing more on gossip than on the facts."

Also read | Word of the Day, May 10: 'Snob'

Origin and history:

The word is a linguistic "short-cut" with a religious origin. It is a corruption of the phrase "Saint Audrey." St Audrey (also known as Etheldreda) was a 7th-century saint who died of a tumour in her throat, which she believed was a punishment for her youthful love of wearing beautiful, ornate necklaces.

At the annual "St Audrey's Fair" in Ely, merchants sold cheap, brightly coloured lace neckbands called "St Audrey's lace." Over time, the phrase "St Audrey's lace" was shortened to "Tawdry lace." Because the lace was often poorly made and overly bright, the word "tawdry" eventually became an adjective for anything cheap and tacky.

Cultural significance and modern usage:

In modern British English, "tawdry" is a sharp critique used in both fashion and ethics. While it can describe a "tawdry outfit," it is most commonly used by journalists to describe "tawdry affairs" or "tawdry political deals," implying a lack of dignity or integrity.

Interesting facts:

The Necktie Connection: Before the modern necktie existed, "tawdry lace" was one of the most popular neck ornaments for common women in England.