Allow me to be the first to wish you all a Happy New Yare. (Sorry, I just can't resist making bad puns.)
Merriam-Webster defines "yare" as "1.quick; agile; lively. 2. (of a ship) quick to the helm; easily handled or maneuvered. 3. Archaic ready; prepared."
Dictionary.com gives this origin of the word: "Before 900; Middle English; Old English gearu, gearo, equivalent to earu 'ready'; cognate with Dutch gaar, German gar 'done.'"
It isn't often that I learn a new word from a crossword puzzle. I'm well acquainted with EMU, ERA, IRE, LEI, OBOE, ORE, OREO, SPA and other overused words and thus it was nice to see YARE today. The next time I'm on a boat, I'll have to find a way to use the word and impress my fellow passengers.
Or maybe I could use my "Happy New Yare" pun.