Wednesday’s Word: rebarbative

rebarbative

adj. causing annoyance, irritation, or aversion; repellent.

“Rebarbative” comes from the 19^th-century French rébarbatif—which, strangely, comes from barbe, or “beard.” It’s also where we get our word “barb.” I’m not sure whether it derives in the sense that a beard is a somewhat pointed protection, or because people found beards to be sharp, prickly, and irritating (my girlfriend thinks so—just ask her).