Juggernaut
Meaning
A massive, inexorable force, campaign, or object that crushes everything in its path.
Origin
The word 'juggernaut' blasts into English from the Hindi Jagannath, meaning 'Lord of the World,' a revered deity in Hinduism. Each year, in Puri, India, a massive idol of Jagannath is pulled through the streets on a colossal, multi-wheeled chariot during a grand festival. When European travelers first witnessed this spectacle in the 17th century, they were stunned by the sheer size of the procession. They reported—with a mix of awe and horror—that fervent devotees would sometimes throw themselves under the advancing wheels, believing it a path to divine favor. This powerful, terrifying image of an inexorable, crushing force instantly gave 'juggernaut' its current meaning: something immense and overwhelming that grinds everything in its path.
Examples
- The company's new product launch became a marketing juggernaut, dominating the market within weeks.
- Despite several attempts to stop it, the political movement grew into an unstoppable juggernaut.