My editor-in-chief (my mom) informed me that one is not in the throws of winter, but in the throes of it. Top prize to whoever figures out what a throe is.
throe –noun 1. a violent spasm or pang; paroxysm. 2. a sharp attack of emotion. 3. throes, a. any violent convulsion or struggle: the throes of battle. b. the agony of death. c. the pains of childbirth.
Origin: 1150–1200; ME throwe, alter. of thrawe ( -o- from OE thrōwian to suffer, be in pain), OE thrawu; c. ON thrā (in līkthrā leprosy)
—Can be confused: throe, throw (see synonym note at throw).
It is worth 8 points in Scrabble, if that is at all helpful.
ReplyDeletethroe
ReplyDelete–noun
1. a violent spasm or pang; paroxysm.
2. a sharp attack of emotion.
3. throes,
a. any violent convulsion or struggle: the throes of battle.
b. the agony of death.
c. the pains of childbirth.
Origin:
1150–1200; ME throwe, alter. of thrawe ( -o- from OE thrōwian to suffer, be in pain), OE thrawu; c. ON thrā (in līkthrā leprosy)
—Can be confused: throe, throw (see synonym note at throw).
—Synonyms
3a. upheaval, tumult, chaos, turmoil.