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Qua is the shortest Words for Nerds word yet. If you know Latin or are adept at Scrabble, you may know the meaning of this word. If you’re stumped, take a guess …

A. A short, double edged spear
B. In the character or capacity of
C. Approximately, as in an estimate
D. Exceedingly humble or shy
E. Mysterious

By way of a clue, let’s use qua in a couple sentences.

  • Joe qua teacher told Joey Jr., “Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.”
  • Joe qua parent told Joey Jr,. “GET YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM THE STOVE!”

By now you’ve discovered that qua means … acting in the character or capacity of. We entrepreneurs have a very high qua quotient. We function qua sales person, qua accountant, qua marketing specialist, and qua quality controller, to name a few.

So if you’d like to abandon such cliches as –

  • I wear lots of hats
  • I’m a jack of all trades
  • I’m chief cook and bottlewasher

– the word qua might just be for you.

(Photo courtesy of salsachica)