smithereens (2009-11-03)

Part of Speech: noun

Pronunciation: [smi-dhêr-'eenz]

Definition: A multitude of bits and pieces.

Usage: The fragments referred to by today’s word may be abstract as well as concrete: "His life was reduced to smithereens when his wife refused to surrender the remote control of the TV." However, the full potential of today’s word is currently not being exploited. Why not use the singular? "Who shattered my Ming vase! You clean up the mess and pick up every single smithereen!"

Suggested Usage: Today's word is used almost exclusively in the idiomatic phrase "to smithereens" as in to smash to smithereens. It seems to be a plural noun, since the singular is all but never used. However, D. H. Lawrence proved it still performs creatively when he wrote, "The sun went bang, with smithereens of birds bursting in all directions," in 'Mornings in Mexico.'

Etymology: From Irish smidirín "bit", diminutive of smiodar "small fragment." The suffix is the Irish diminutive suffix found also in colleen "young Irish girl," girleen "young girl," poteen "small pot." We find the same sound in Kathleen, the English rendition of "Caitlin," the Irish realization of "Katherine."