Merriam-Webster's Word Central

June 25, 2011

frazzle (verb): \FRAZ-ul\
What does it mean?: 1 a : to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing b : to separate the threads at the edge of2 : to show or cause to show signs of strain
How do you use it?: This year, Stephanie is determined to make sure that all the summer travel preparations will not frazzle her.
Are you a word wiz?: Which one of these do you think is the origin of "frazzle"?

A. a German word invented by tailors

B. a Persian word meaning "to pull apart"

C. a word used in English dialect

D. a Finnish slang word for a cheap backpack

We hope choosing C didn't put too much of a strain on you. "Frazzle" comes from "fazle," an English dialect word that means "to tangle" or "to fray." A dialect is a regional variety of a language or a variety of a language used by members of a particular group or class. English dialect is the source of many words we commonly use. The word "bunny" comes from the English dialect word "bun," used for a "rabbit," and we get "muggy" from the English dialect word "mug," meaning "drizzle." Something worthless, called "scruff" in English dialect, came to be described as "scruffy," while "soggy" comes from English dialect "sog," meaning "to soak."