Word of the Day
March 11, 2026
Beclown
To make a fool of another; to make into a clown; to clown around or make a fool of oneself.
From the prefix 'be-' (to make or cause to be) combined with 'clown.' The prefix 'be-' derives from Old English, used to form verbs meaning 'to make' or 'to treat as,' as in befriend or belittle. Clown derives from Scandinavian origins, originally meaning a rustic or farmer, later evolving to mean a jester or buffoon.
Usage Examples
- The legislation's hidden provisions beclown the voters by disguising a permanent TABOR override as a temporary education earmark.
- Politicians who promise transparency while burying key details in complex ballot language beclown the democratic process.
- A policy analyst who reframes a scientific debate as a political fairy tale beclowns the pursuit of evidence-based governance.
From the Show
Kim Monson introduced the word beclown to describe how SB26-135’s sponsors disguise a permanent TABOR cap override as a 10-year education earmark during the March 11, 2026 broadcast, arguing the bill’s structure is designed to fool Colorado voters into surrendering their taxpayer protections.