A relative of mine posted this word on Facebook yesterday. That’s all, just the word. It’s not a word I’ve ever heard or used.

I tried to figure out what it meant, and I thought of several possible definitions. Then, I decided this word would be a good candidate for that dictionary game where everyone makes up a possible meaning, except for one person who gives the actual definition. So which of these is the true meaning of galactagogue?

A. a substance that promotes lactation in humans and other animals. Asparagus is supposed to be a galactagogue.

B. the dictatorial ruler of a galaxy or galactic empire. The galactagogue in The Empire Strikes Back is the Emperor Palpatine.

C. a large and elaborate celebration; a gala. They planned a galactagogue for the heir’s twenty-first birthday.

D. a non-living statue or wooden figure that comes to life. Pinocchio was a galactagogue.

So, which one is it, folks? The first one to answer correctly gets a virtual blue ribbon for Word Wizard of the Day.