Word of the Day - fulcrum

fulcrum

/ˈfʊlkrəm//ˈfʌlkrəm/
noun
1 The point against which a lever is placed to get a purchase, or on which it turns or is supported.
1.1 A thing that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event, or situation.

Origin
Late 17th century (originally in the general sense ‘a prop or support’):
from Latin, literally ‘post of a couch’, from fulcire ‘to prop up’.

Though Joe didn't think about it, the mechanics of his digging involved his right hand providing a fulcrum point as the dirt came up on the shovel.