DOUG'S WORD OF THE WEEK

misoneism / mis-uh-NEE-izm / noun: 1. A hatred or fear of change or innovation.

Notes & Etymology: From the Italian misoneismo, from Greek miso- (hate) + neos (new). Ultimately from Indo-European root newo- (new) that also gave us new, neo-, neon, novice, novel, novelty, innovate, and renovate.

Usage: “The prevailing attitude was therefore one of extreme conservatism: may I indeed say of misoneism? "
Expanding Trade, Changing Ways of Life-Conclusions; Addis Tribune (Ethiopia);
May 15, 1998.

DOUG'S WORD OF THE WEEK

encomium / en-KO-mee-uhm / noun: 1. Glowing praise.

Notes & Etymology: From the Latin encomium, from Greek enkomion, from komos (revel).

Usage: “The speech cheered the faithful no end, as did Sarah Brown's smooth and skilful introduction of her husband. Yet though her encomium went down well with the party, it nauseated many television viewers. "
Ruth Dudley Edwards; Why Mrs Brown Should Have Skipped the Heroics; Irish Independent (Dublin); Oct 4, 2009

DOUG'S WORD OF THE WEEK

sophist / SAH-fist / noun: 1. In ancient Greece one specially engaged in the pursuit or communication of knowledge; esp. one who undertook to give instruction in intellectual and ethical matters in return for payment 2. One who is distinguished for learning; a wise or learned man 3. One who makes use of fallacious arguments; reasoning adroitly and speciously rather than soundly.

Notes & Etymology: From the Greek sophistes, from sophizesthai "to become wise or learned," (from sophos "wise, clever,"). In Greece sophistes came to mean "one who gives intellectual instruction for pay," and, contrasted with "philosopher," it became a term of contempt. Ancient sophists were famous for their clever, specious arguments.

Usage: “The philosophy professor had such a reputation as the campus sophist that his students took to calling him ‘Socrates.’ "
Ann Zawistoski ;Laurence McKinley Gould Library News; January 23, 2006

DOUG'S WORD OF THE WEEK

philodox / FIL-uh-doks / noun: 1. Someone who loves his or her own opinion; a dogmatic person.

Notes & Etymology: From the Greek philodoxos, from philo- (love) + doxa (glory, opinion). Ultimately from Indo-European root dek- (to take or accept) that's also the root of words such as paradox, orthodox, doctor, disciple, discipline, doctrine, dogma, decorate, dignity, and disdain.

Usage: “In effect, a philodoxical thinker can become very good and highly skilled at doubting and critiquing maps other than her own. "
Dale Cannon; Newsletter on Teaching in Philosophy (Newark, Delaware); Spring 2001