It's the Word of the Day podcast for December 21st.

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Today's word is testimonial, spelled T-E-S-T-I-M-O-N-I-A-L.

Testimonial is a noun. A testimonial is a written or spoken statement in which a person says they used a product or service and liked it, or that they appreciate someone's work, skill, or character.

Testimonial is also used as a synonym of the words evidence and testimony.

Here's the word used in a sentence from Newsweek by Lydia Me.

To commemorate their successful journey in the sport,

the team released a heartfelt tribute video,

featuring testimonials from team members

sharing their fondest memories.

In 1639, Scottish poet William Drummond

responded to the politics of his day

with a cheeky set of new laws,

including one stipulating that no man wear a periwig unless he have a testimonial from a town

clerk that he is either bald, sickly, or ashamed of white hairs. Testimonials take different forms,

but always, like in Drummond's facetious law, they provide affirmation or evidence.

Testimonial traces to the Latin word testimonium, meaning evidence or witness.

In the 19th century, testimonial developed a new use, referring to a tribute that is a gift presented as a public expression of appreciation.

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