Here are some examples of gimcracks lurking around my house.

I love words…especially quirky, little used words that often sound like gibberish. I’ve selected “gimcrack” for the word of the day on this 29th day of April, 2008. If I can use it seven times it will become part of my vocabulary – or so they say.

So here goes: I have placed so many useless, but blatantly showy objects in my garden, that it looks like gimcrack heaven. I also have an overabundance of gimcracks in my home. In fact you might call me a “gimcrack addict.” Today I will remove three gimcracks and give them to charity.

gimcrack \JIM-krak\, noun:
1. A showy but useless or worthless object; a gewgaw.

adjective:
1. Tastelessly showy; cheap; gaudy.

The origin of gimcrack is uncertain. It is perhaps an alteration of Middle English gibecrake, “a slight or flimsy ornament.”