Draconian

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Draconian!

MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY - DRACONIAN

draconian

adjective, dra·co·ni·an often capitalized \drā-ˈkō-nē-ən, drə-\

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>

Examples of DRACONIAN

The editorial criticizes the draconian measures being taken to control the spread of the disease.

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.

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Supplant

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Supplant!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Supplant
sup·plant transitive verb \sə-ˈplant\
: to take the place of (someone or something that is old or no longer used or accepted)

Full Definition of SUPPLANT
1:  to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery
2 a (1) obsolete :  uproot (2) :  to eradicate and supply a substitute for <efforts to supplant the vernacular>
   b :  to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence    or power
— sup·plan·ta·tion  noun
— sup·plant·er  noun

Examples of SUPPLANT
<old traditions that were fading away and being supplanted by modern ways>

Origin of SUPPLANT
Middle English, from Anglo-French supplanter, from Latin supplantare to trip up, cause to stumble, from sub- + planta sole of the foot — more at place
First Known Use: 14th century

MyDigitalComics - Supplanter

To supplant, to take by force, or to commit treachery.  The word supplant makes me feel like committing treachery when I hear it!  For some reason, the word seems like it should be pronounced as surplant... likely it is because I have heard others mispronounce it so often that is seems correct.

Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, there are many who have the drive and desire to supplant the old traditions, as well as the tried and true ways of doing things.  We see this the news, in politics, in the workplace, and even in our homes.  There is a loss in our culture of the value of roots and traditions.  Some would say traditions are "a thing of the past," others say they are "meant to be broken;" however, I say that traditions are an anchor that grounds us during the storms of life.  I believe without our roots and traditions, we will lose our identity both individually and as nations.

For those who wish to incur the wrath of time, feel free to supplant those in authority, those with wisdom, and the traditions of our past.  For those who wish to incur my wrath, simply use the word supplant.  ;)

References
Supplant. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplant

Supplanter <image> (n.d.) MyDigitalComics.com. Retrieved January 8, 2014, from http://www.mydigitalcomics.com/product.aspx?id=e326ce7c-3f2a-4182-b3b8-06012f3efc00