Susie Dent was inundated with replies after sharing her word of the day. The Countdown favourite was branded “beyond brilliant” for her latest choice, shared with her 494,000 Twitter followers.
The 55-year-old was deemed to have her “finger on the pulse” and was soon trending on the micro-blogging site.
Many took her explanation of the 16th century word mumpsimus as a reaction to the news about political strategist, Dominic Cummings.
It comes after the 48-year-old found himself at the centre of a national row regarding an alleged breach of coronavirus lockdown rules in March.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s chief aide has been accused of driving from London to Durham at the height of lockdown restrictions in breach of lockdown rules.
READ MORE: Susie Dent: Countdown star clashes with Miles Jupp live on-air
Dent tweeted: “It’s that time again. A mumpsimus (16th century) is someone who refuses to budge/insists that they are right, despite clear evidence that they are wrong. Plural: mumpsimuses.”
She quickly sparked a reaction, with one user replying: “Continuously amazed at how @susie_dent manages to be of the moment in word choice! Love this one. Thank you.”
Two others agreed: “I see what you did there,” and: “Susie Dent with her finger on the pulse. At least her dictionaries have spines.”
“Swooping in with a word we can all use today. Thanks,” a fourth quipped.
Speaking from Downing Street, he said: “I have had extensive face to face conversations with Dominic Cummings and I have concluded that in travelling to find the right kind of childcare, at the moment when both he and his wife were about to be incapacitated by coronavirus.
“And when he had no alternative, I think he followed the instincts of every father and every parent. And I do not mark him down for that. And though there have been many other allegations about what happened when he was in self-isolation and thereafter, some of them palpably false.”
The politican went on: “I believe that in every respect he has acted responsibly, and legally, and with integrity, and with the overwhelming aim of stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives.
“And I stress this fundamental aim because it is thanks to this country’s collective resolve in achieving that aim that we continue to make progress.”
