Play lexicographer: Create a new word and explain its meaning and etymology.

When I saw the prompt for today, I thought it would be a good idea to write about a word from India that has found its way into the English dictionary. Even before this thought would vanish from my mind, the word that I am going to write about flashed in my mind’s eye.

The word is Juggernaut (pronounced as ‘Jug-ger-naut’), the word means a mercilessly destructive and unstoppable force. The word has been derived from the Sanskrit word Jagannath meaning ‘lord of the world.’ The word has its roots in the festive chariot carrying ‘Lord Jagannath’ of Puri, Orissa. It is said that once the chariot starts to roll, bringing it a standstill was difficult, almost impossible and often the people would get crushed under the weight of the chariot either voluntarily (as a sacrifice) or involuntarily (due to some freak accident). Hence the English word has come mean an unstoppable force. The word is quite often used in sports a team continues its winning streak unabated (e.g. The Juggernaut of Team India continues).