The word “stymie” is a verb that means to hinder, obstruct, or prevent progress or action. It is often used to describe a situation where an obstacle or difficulty arises, making it challenging to achieve a desired outcome.
Interesting fact: The term “stymie” originated in the game of golf. In the early days of golf, a stymie referred to a situation where one player’s ball blocked the path of another player’s ball on the putting green. The obstructing ball was known as the “stymie.” This term eventually made its way into the English language to describe any situation where progress is impeded.