Word of the Day
April 7, 2025
Diablerie
Reckless mischief or charismatic wildness; sorcery or dealings with the devil. Often used to describe behavior that is audaciously and dangerously playful.
From French 'diablerie,' derived from 'diable' meaning devil, from Latin 'diabolus,' from Greek 'diabolos' meaning slanderer or devil. Originally referred to sorcery or black magic, later broadened to mean devilish conduct or reckless mischief.
Usage Examples
- The majority party's procedural diablerie on Friday stunned even seasoned Capitol observers who expected a modicum of deliberative process.
- What began as legislative diablerie quickly escalated into outright suppression of debate when Rule 16 shut down all remaining discussion.
- The actor's performance carried a certain diablerie that kept audiences guessing whether his character was charming or dangerous.
From the Show
Guest host Allen Thomas selected diablerie to describe the Colorado Democrats’ procedural maneuvering at the State Capitol, where Rule 14 capped debate to two hours on bills affecting abortion funding, transgender protections, and parental rights. Rep. Max Brooks pushed the metaphor further during the April 7th broadcast, arguing that the legislature’s actions went “way past mischief into just tyrannical coercion.”