Today's Word I Hate To Say is Draconian!
MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY - DRACONIAN
Full Definition of DRACONIAN
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him
2
: cruel; also : severe <draconian littering fines>
Origin of DRACONIAN
Latin Dracon-, Draco, from Greek Drakōn Draco (Athenian lawgiver)
First Known Use: 1775
So today's word I hate to say is Draconian! This word has been gaining popularity over the past few years and with the current US Election cycle, we are hearing it more nearly every day.
Draconian refers to something that is severe or cruel. I often think of it meaning harsh and archaic as well. The word sounds old and even has an old look to it. What I mean is that it is similar to Dragon (Dracon) and Dracula (Drac). Both the words Dragon and Dracula seem mystical and things of legends and myths - I believe that this is why Draconian seems old a mysterious as well.
My irritation with the word, like many others, is that because is sounds similar to the aforementioned words, it seems like this word was sloppily put together as a mash-up of words. Could I even say it seems a lazy word?! Some might even say this word sounds similar to the words President Bush "W" was accused of making us in his speeches... "Transponderate" "Specificate" "Misunderestimate" - Ok! I made up the first 2, but the 3rd is an actual word made up by President Bush!
So there you have it... Having to say or hear the word Draconian is a draconian practice!
REFERENCE
"Draconian." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY - DRACONIAN
draconian
adjective, dra·co·ni·an often capitalized \drā-ˈkō-nē-ən, drə-\
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him
2
: cruel; also : severe <draconian littering fines>
Examples of DRACONIAN
The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken to control the spread of the disease.
Latin Dracon-, Draco, from Greek Drakōn Draco (Athenian lawgiver)
First Known Use: 1775
So today's word I hate to say is Draconian! This word has been gaining popularity over the past few years and with the current US Election cycle, we are hearing it more nearly every day.
Draconian refers to something that is severe or cruel. I often think of it meaning harsh and archaic as well. The word sounds old and even has an old look to it. What I mean is that it is similar to Dragon (Dracon) and Dracula (Drac). Both the words Dragon and Dracula seem mystical and things of legends and myths - I believe that this is why Draconian seems old a mysterious as well.
My irritation with the word, like many others, is that because is sounds similar to the aforementioned words, it seems like this word was sloppily put together as a mash-up of words. Could I even say it seems a lazy word?! Some might even say this word sounds similar to the words President Bush "W" was accused of making us in his speeches... "Transponderate" "Specificate" "Misunderestimate" - Ok! I made up the first 2, but the 3rd is an actual word made up by President Bush!
So there you have it... Having to say or hear the word Draconian is a draconian practice!
REFERENCE
"Draconian." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
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