The Words Today

I subscribe to two word-of-the-day sites, and they offered up two gems that capture the mood these days.  Have a look.

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

Feeling at a loss for words? Don’t be! We dive into the language to bring you the finest, freshest words, just when you need them. Use them and share with friends and family.

Never stop speaking. And speak loudly. That’s what language is for!

This week’s selection has words that will make you say: I didn’t know there was a word for it.

kakistocracy

PRONUNCIATION:

(kak-i-STOK-ruh-see, kah-ki-) 

MEANING:

noun: Government by the least qualified or worst persons.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek kakistos (worst), superlative of kakos (bad) + -cracy (rule). Ultimately from the Indo-European root kakka-/kaka- (to defecate), which also gave us poppycock, cacophony, cacology, and cacography. Earliest documented use: 1829.

USAGE:

“We must weigh our votes carefully. Else we are in danger of turning America’s time-tested democracy into a kakistocracy.”
Dan Warner; The Best Man for the Job Is Not as Easy as it Sounds; The News Press (Fort Myers, Florida); Jan 17, 2016.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love of power. -P.J. O'Rourke, writer (b. 14 Nov 1947) 

anathema \uh-NATH-uh-muh\ noun 1. a person or thing detested or loathed: That subject is anathema to him. 2. a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction. Quotes Physical labor had always been anathema to him and the thought of wielding an axe to cut down trees scared him so much that he would have preferred to become a tramp. -- Émile Zola, "Priests and Sinners," The Attack on the Mill and Other Stories, translated by Douglas Parmée, 1984