Bonanza

“Something that is very valuable, profitable, or rewarding. . . . Spanish, literally, calm sea, from Medieval Latin bonacia, alteration of Latin malacia, from Greek malakia, literally, softness, from malakos soft”

—Merriam-Webster

Rhymes for “bonanza” include “stanza,”

“extravaganza,” and “Sancho Panza.”

But what mysteries language conceals!

In Greek malakia now mostly means masturbation;

μαλάκας = “wanker,” or “jerk off.”

It has since at least the time of Saint Andrew the Fool (d. 936 CE).*

My phone has just tried to change the word “masturbation” to “maturation.”

Making the point about this AI bonanza, maybe?

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_the_Fool

Friday, January 23, 2026