Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Word of the Day
28/05/2026
A fox in a waistcoat
knocked on my door at dawn,
offering compliments
like stolen silverware.
“Your shadow,” he said,
“has excellent posture.”
My tea hadn’t even brewed
and already the flattery
was climbing the curtains.
Behind him,
a parliament of crows
applauded politely,
each wearing a monocle
for reasons they refused to explain.
I told the fox
I wasn’t hiring,
wasn’t buying,
wasn’t in the market
for praise shaped like a bribe.
He bowed so low
his tail swept the path clean.
“Just trying,” he said,
“to ingratiate myself
with the morning.”
Then he left,
and the crows,
ever opportunists,
asked if they could come in
and reorganise my self‑esteem
for a modest fee.
6d ago
May 28, 2026 at 2:22 AM UTC
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Word of the Day
28/05/2026
A fox in a waistcoat
knocked on my door at dawn,
offering compliments
like stolen silverware.
“Your shadow,” he said,
“has excellent posture.”
My tea hadn’t even brewed
and already the flattery
was climbing the curtains.
Behind him,
a parliament of crows
applauded politely,
each wearing a monocle
for reasons they refused to explain.
I told the fox
I wasn’t hiring,
wasn’t buying,
wasn’t in the market
for praise shaped like a bribe.
He bowed so low
his tail swept the path clean.
“Just trying,” he said,
“to ingratiate myself
with the morning.”
Then he left,
and the crows,
ever opportunists,
asked if they could come in
and reorganise my self‑esteem
for a modest fee.
What It Means
To ingratiate yourself with others is to gain their favour or approval by deliberately doing or saying things they will like. Ingratiate is usually used with with, and is often (though not always) used disapprovingly.
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