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8 Of The Most Looked-Up Definitions In The United States

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Some of us still hold on to dusty old dictionaries and huge encyclopedia volumes, reveling in the act of browsing through an actual, physical book. However, it's impossible to deny the ease of access that search engines provide when it comes to checking up a quick fact or finding the definition of a particularly tricky word.

If you spend any amount of time on the internet, chances are that you've done just that once or twice. And guess what? You are not alone. Here, in no particular order, are 8 of the most looked-up definitions across the United States.

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A "pyrrhic victory" is one that comes at such a heavy cost that it's tantamount to defeat. In a sense, it's the polar opposite of the notion of living to fight another day.

This interesting phrase finds its roots in King Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek king who fought and won several battles against a growing early Rome. His victories, however, came at the expense of unacceptably heavy losses, and he is quoted as having said, "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined."

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This word was one of the most searched by the residents of Washington, D.C., and for good reason. For a capital city, Washington D.C. is surprisingly green, and it recently refreshed its sustainability plan, setting goals and targets up to 2032.

This is good news, as concerns for long-term sustainability rise, and humanity as a whole strives for a more eco-friendly way of life.

Image: Taylor Grote

Saleratus searches, weirdly enough, reached an all-time high during the months of April and July of 2023. If you either live or have any friends or relatives in Texas or Vermont, maybe you'll be able to tell us what the spike in saleratus searches is all about. For the rest of you, if you'd like to know, saleratus is the Latin word for sodium bicarbonate–better known as baking soda.

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"Oligarchy" is a word with Greek roots that translates to "the rule of the few." It's used to describe a form of government in which a dominant elite controls all the power, as opposed to an ideal democracy, meaning "the rule of the people." In its modern use, it is often charged with connotations of selfishness and corruption.

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Uncanny things unsettle us. They are mysterious and frightening in a way that feels oddly familiar, yet out of place.

Early essays about the uncanny phenomenon focus on dolls and waxworks, and how unsettling their inanimate lifelikeness can often be. However, with the advent of AI-generated videos and images, the phrase "uncanny valley" has found renewed relevance in this day and age.

Image: Nathan Anderson

Strip "uncanny" of its negative prefix and you'll be left with "canny." While, in their modern sense, both words are not necessarily antonyms, they both stem from the early Scottish canny, "free from risk, prudent, or cautious." Today, "canny" is used to describe someone or something shrewd or clever.

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A borrowed word from French, blasé is an adjective that describes someone who, through repeated exposition, has become bored and apathetic toward stimuli. It sometimes implies a degree of practical knowledge or wisdom and, in this sense, it could be applied to a seasoned adventurer who no longer fears the dangers of the road ahead. However, blasé is often used ironically to describe people who try to appear experienced by feigning apathy.

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Similes and metaphors are figures of speech that are used to compare one thing to another. When using similes, the comparison is made explicit by the use of words such as "like" or "as." "You are as bright as the sun" is a simile because it uses connectors to point out similarities.

"Life is a stage," on the other hand, is a metaphor. Metaphors are stronger comparisons that renounce connectors and directly equate one thing to another. The characteristics of one thing "carry over" –from the Greek meta, "across, over," and pherō, "to bear, to carry"– to the other one.

Yee-haw!

Travel to the Wild West with these 10 fictional cowboys!

Image: Lee Pigott

Chances are, you once played cowboy when you were a kid. Did you, like us, ride around your house on your trusty stallion—a broomstick or a horse-shaped stick? Did you don any hat you could find and pretend you were the toughest, bravest sheriff around? Cowboys have been an integral part of many of our childhoods, providing countless hours of joy and laughter. That said, cowboys are also fascinating characters in their own right, and they’ve been splendidly portrayed in many films and shows aimed at more mature audiences. In any case, we've decided to pay tribute to 10 of the most iconic cowboys, gunslingers, and outlaws with this article. All that’s left to say is: we hope you enjoy it, partner!

Image: Taylor Brandon

Let’s start with one of the oldest fictional cowboys in history. In 1933, listeners of Detroit’s WXYZ radio station were treated to the first appearance of the Lone Ranger—a charismatic and brave cowboy who fights for justice in the American Wild West. Originally known as John Reid, the Ranger was saved from the brink of death by his trusted companion Tonto, who aids him in his quest to find the criminal responsible for his brother’s death.

Over 90 years have passed since that first radio episode, and the Lone Ranger has appeared in countless shows, films, and comic books. Although his story has evolved over the years, every version of the Ranger portrays him as an expert marksman, fighter, and rider.

Image: William Warby

Like we mentioned before, cowboys can be a kid’s best friend. In that sense, the 1995 animated classic Toy Story introduced the world to one of the friendliest and most lovable cowboys in history: Woody, the toy sheriff, wonderfully voiced by Tom Hanks.

Toy Story tells the story of Woody, the favorite toy of a boy named Andy, who suddenly finds himself displaced by a new toy: a plastic astronaut named Buzz Lightyear. Throughout the film, Woody not only showcases a cowboy’s bravery when he ventures into the outside world to rescue his rival, but he also proves himself to be a loyal and caring friend to both Andy and Buzz.

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Cowboys have an air of mystery that follows them wherever they go. It’s not unusual to see a film cowboy wandering the Wild West, drifting from town to town and helping those in need. In that regard, Clint Eastwood’s performance as the mysterious "Man with No Name" is one of the most outstanding examples of this trope.

While the character first appeared in Sergio Leone’s 1964 film A Fistful of Dollars, critics and fans alike believe that his best portrayal comes from the 1966 classic The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Here, Eastwood’s iconic cowboy not only demonstrates his skill and composure but also reveals a personal sense of morality and justice.

Image: Tobias Keller

It should come as no surprise that Hollywood legend John Wayne appears on this list more than once. After all, his extensive filmography helped build the Western genre into the beloved American staple it is today. In that sense, many believe that Wayne’s finest performance (and that’s saying something) comes from the 1956 classic The Searchers, still considered one of the greatest films in cinematic history.

In this film, "The Duke" plays Ethan Edwards, a former Civil War soldier who embarks on a years-long quest to rescue his kidnapped niece. This role definitively cemented Wayne as the go-to actor for Westerns. Ethan is portrayed as a strong, determined character, flawed but unwavering in his mission.

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

The Western genre is known for tales of revenge, but True Grit proves that justice isn’t reserved only for strong, stoic gunslingers. This legendary 1969 film tells the story of Mattie Ross, a determined young girl whose father is murdered by the outlaw Tom Chaney. Driven by her desire for justice, Mattie hires U.S. Marshal "Rooster" Cogburn, played by none other than John Wayne himself.

What’s perhaps most compelling about this film is how it subverts the traditional roles found in classic Westerns: Mattie is no damsel in distress, and even outlaw Lucky Ned Pepper, portrayed by Robert Duvall, is intelligent and articulate. Wayne’s Oscar-winning portrayal of the aging, hard-drinking Cogburn proves that heroes can come in all shapes and forms.

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Lucky Luke is the only comic book cowboy on this list, but that doesn’t make him any less brave than his film and TV counterparts. This laid-back and easygoing cowboy might seem like an easy target, but evildoers beware: he’s as dangerous as he is good-hearted.

Created by Belgian artist Morris, Luke’s adventures are both a love letter to and a parody of the Western genre. From his astounding shooting skills—so fast he can outdraw his own shadow—to his cast of colorful villains, Lucky Luke’s comics are guaranteed to make you laugh.

Image: Taylor Brandon

Sam Raimi’s 1995 film The Quick and the Dead proves that gunslingers aren’t always men. Portrayed by Sharon Stone, "The Lady" is the unnamed and deadly protagonist of this Western. Her backstory might sound familiar: she’s a gunslinger hellbent on avenging the death of her father at the hands of a powerful and notorious outlaw.

What’s interesting about this film is that it introduces a competitive twist to the genre. In order to confront and kill John Herod (played by Gene Hackman), "The Lady" must enter a high-stakes shooting tournament, where she faces several dangerous and skilled marksmen.

Image: Sekinei　Sekineiが撮影, CC BY 3.0

Here comes one of Bugs Bunny’s most dangerous—and funniest—nemeses. Like Lucky Luke, Yosemite Sam is definitely a parody of cowboy culture: from his humongous hat, baffling facial hair, and gunslinging ways, this cartoon character has given us countless priceless moments in front of the TV screen.

Yosemite Sam’s name comes straight from one of America’s most treasured natural wonders: Yosemite National Park, located in California. In all of his Looney Tunes appearances, he is portrayed as greedy, short-tempered, and full of hatred for a certain wisecracking rabbit.

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We’ve already seen that cowboys don’t always need a name—case in point: this iconic gunslinger is known simply by his favorite musical instrument. The 1968 Spaghetti Western Once Upon a Time in the West introduced the world to Charles Bronson’s "Harmonica," a stoic gunslinger determined to avenge the death of his older brother at the hands of a ruthless outlaw portrayed by Henry Fonda.

We won’t spoil the reason behind Harmonica’s nickname—after all, a cowboy’s name isn’t what truly matters. This fast-paced and unforgettable Western should definitely be on your must-watch list.

Image: Gerhard Lipold

We’ll end this article with the only entry that refers to two entirely different characters, but we couldn’t mention one without including the other. The gunslinger known as Django is truly a Wild West legend. First portrayed by Franco Nero in the 1966 film Django, this tough and brave cowboy travels through various frontier towns, dispensing his own brand of justice.

In 2012, 46 years after the original, Quentin Tarantino directed his own take on the iconic character in Django Unchained. This time, Django—portrayed by Jamie Foxx—is a former slave determined to rescue the woman he loves. Tarantino’s admiration for the Django legacy shines through in the film; in one memorable scene, both Nero’s and Foxx’s versions of Django appear together in a symbolic greeting.