Countdown’s Susie Dent has won herself some new fans on Twitter today with her pitch perfect word of the day.
Followers of the lexicographer are used to Susie dropping some knowledge on them in the form of a daily word, usually inspired by current events or how she’s feeling at the time.
Today she wrote: ‘Word of the day is circumlocutionist: one who consistently speaks in a roundabout way in order to avoid addressing a question directly.’
While she hasn’t commented further on it, fans of Susie are convinced the latest one is aimed directly at Matt Hancock MP, following his disastrous interview with Piers Morgan over free school meals.
Hancock was grilled on the morning show about the free school meals plan for those who are currently studying from home, after frustrated parents revealed pictures of their meagre food packages, prompting an investigation and the re-introduction of shopping vouchers for families in need.
The health and social care secretary repeated he was ‘glad the government could make it happen’.
But he soon stumbled when Morgan asked him why, if that was the case, he voted against free school meals during lockdown, and refused seven times to five a definitive answer.
Instead of answering the question on whether he regretted it, instead looped around and repeated he was ‘glad the government were able to make it work.’
So when Susie made the simple, yet to the point, analysis, fans couldn’t help but make the link.
‘Whatever could have prompted this tweet, I wonder…,’ joked one.
‘No doubt @MattHancock knows all about this word as he gave a fine example of his understanding when asked by @piersmorgan why he voted against giving kids FSM,’ added another.
A third tweeter joined in and joked the beauty of her shade and explained: ‘What I like about @susie_dent’s words of the day is that they often have an obvious target who, or whose supporters, could only contest its applicability by tacitly admitting the word did, indeed, apply.’
One fan described her as a ‘subtweet queen’ as another said: ‘I live for Susie Dent throwing subtle shade at MPs with fancy words.’
‘Subtweeter of 2020 making a strong start in 2021,’ added another follower.
Can’t wait to see what she comes up with tomorrow…
Countdown airs weekdays at 2.10pm on Channel 4.
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