Misogyny

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Misogyny!

MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY - MISOGYNY

Misogyny

noun mi·sog·y·ny \mə-ˈsä-jə-nē\

Definition of MISOGYNY

:  a hatred of women

Origin of MISOGYNY

Greek misogynia, from misein to hate + gynē woman — more at queen

First Known Use: circa 1656

So today's word I hate to say is misogyny.  I will get to the reason I hate to say it in a moment, but for now let me actually address the Misogyny issue itself.

Misogyny is defined as the hatred, abuse, or mistreatment of women.  Sadly, in 2015, misogyny is no less prevalent than it was in the 1100's.  While it may take on different forms from place to place and culture to culture, misogyny is a serious and real issue that should not be overlooked. 

Even more sad is where we see a rise in misogyny is in places that have the greatest impact and reach into the public...  Rap & Pop Music and certain religions, namely Islam.

Rap music is notorious for misogynizing women, making them out to be sex objects and less than human, and even advocate physical abuses on women. Lil Wayne, Eminem, Jay Z, Snoop Dog, Kanye West, Pitbull, and others are the worst offenders!

Pop music artist, some even women themselves, promote misogyny as well - Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, and Madonna come quickly to mind.  Singers like Ariana Grande have recently been very outspoken on this subject, almost to the extreme opposite end of the spectrum calling for the end of misogyny in her own unique way.

Religion is yet another place where misogyny is seen and often promoted as right before some god.  Islam, of all the major world religions, is the worst offender of the lot.  In most islamic countries, women are at best 2nd class citizens.  They undergo harsh to severe punishments for stepping out of line with the will of a man and even have their bodies mutilated for punishment or sexual rituals.

For those, like the Miley Cyrus', here is a bit of advice for you if you wish to help end misogyny...

However... simply put, MISOGYNY SHOULD NOT BE SO FOR ANY WOMAN, AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON - PERIOD!!  There is no excuse for it, no justification can be made for it, and REAL MEN won't tolerate or engage in it.  Stop the bullying and the put downs; stop the violence and the abuses!  This is not about some hyper-liberal war on women equal rights nonsense; it is about Human Rights!

My call/challenge to males and females, rappers and pop stars, people of no faith or any faith... Treat all people with respect, courtesy, and honor them for the individuals God made them to be.  With all our faults and failures, we have no right to look or talk down someone else's faults or failures!

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Now, for the reason I hate to say misogyny...

My reasons are few yet direct, the word sounds like massage.  It sounds like it could be the artform or science of massage, not a word that describes nasty and hateful treatment of women.

Short and sweet today, if you can get through my advocacy bit above!

Reference

Misogyny. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misogyny

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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Unprepossessing

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Unprepossessing!

Collins Dictionary - Unprepossessing
unprepossessing (ˌʌnpriːpəˈzɛsɪŋ )

adjective

1. not creating a favourable impression; unattractive

Synonyms

= unattractive, unpleasant, unappealing, unsightly, uninviting, scuzzy (informal)

Examples of LATTER

1. A squat, unprepossessing face, moustache, tiny round glasses that gave an intellectual air.

   - Nabb, Magdalen, Vagheggi, Paolo PROSECUTOR

   His guide suddenly stopped before a dilapidated café; outwardly, at least, it was unprepossessing in the extreme.

   - Maclean, Alistair THE LONELY SEA

   Quite how Neville has managed to find such an unprepossessing place for a party is beyond me.

   - Alex George LOVE YOU MADLY (2002)

My new Word I Hate To Say is Unprepossessing.   This word is such a rare word to hear, but so annoying when spoken.  The main reason for my rant today is that the word unprepossessing sounds and feels like it is full of unnecessary redundancies.  

Let's break it down...

Un - A prefix meaning NOT

Pre - A 2nd prefix in the same word meaning BEFORE

Possess - Belonging to someone or to take ownership

Ing -  A suffix often implying action as in a verb

Does any of this make sense?  NOT, BEFORE, ACTIVELY, TAKING OWNERSHIP?  How does that mean unattractive?

Anyway...  Here is a clip of a song where the word Unprepossessing is heard.  It is my favorite mash-up medley of songs from the WIcked Musical featuring Peter Hollens and Nick Pitera - 2 amazing and talented vocal artist! Unprepossessing happens at 1:20 in the video!  

ENJOY - and if you like these singers, like/follow them on YouTube.

Reference
Unprepossessing. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/unprepossessing

Latter

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Latter!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Latter
latter
    Tweet adjective lat·ter \ˈla-tər\
: coming or happening near the end of a process, activity, series, life, etc.

Full Definition of LATTER

1

a :  belonging to a subsequent time or period :  more recent <the latter stages of growth>

b :  of or relating to the end <in their latter days>

c :  recent, present <affected by latter calamities>

2

:  of, relating to, or being the second of two groups or things or the last of several groups or things referred to <of ham and beef the latter meat is cheaper today> <of ham and beef the latter is cheaper today>

Examples of LATTER

1. the latter stages of the process
2. We'll go in the latter half of the year.
3. In his latter years he became blind.
4. … a fundamental trade-off between capitalist prosperity and economic security. As a nation we have chosen to have less of the former in order to have more of the latter. —David A. Stockman, Newsweek, 28 Apr. 1986

Origin of LATTER

Middle English, from Old English lætra, comparative of læt late

First Known Use: before 12th century

Here it is... the Word I Hate To Say for today!  Latter, not ladder.  You don't climb the latter, but the ladder.  You can't climb your ladder in the morning, but you can climb it in the latter part of the day!

This word, largely captured by the Mormons, is used as a term for followers of this religion.  Latter-Day Saints or LDS... not to be confused with LSD.  But then again, LDS and LSD are just about as similar as Latter and Ladder...  Too close for comfort I guess.

Latter... Ugh!  Why does the English language have so many words that either sound the same or sound similar.  With 26 letters in the English alphabet, one would think we could be more creative and unique.  As it is, if Google struggles to decipher the pronunciation between the two words, it is likely that other forms of communication will get it wrong too.


Favorite use of this word I hate to say (Be blessed!)...

Reference
Latter. (n.d.). Retrieved July 7, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latter

Image. (n.d.). Retrieved July 7, 2015, from http://www.bookofmormonbroadwaystore.com/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/o/bom_latter_day_button_copy.png

Video. (May 27, 2011) Retrieved July 7, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl-Ai-e65Z8

Rubric

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Rubric!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Rubric

rubric
noun ru·bric \ˈrü-brik, -ˌbrik\

Full Definition of RUBRIC
1 a :  an authoritative rule; especially :  a rule for conduct of a liturgical service
   b (1) :  name, title; specifically :  the title of a statute (2) :  something under which a thing is      classed :      category <the sensations falling under the general rubric, “pressure” — F. A. Geldard>
   c :  an explanatory or introductory commentary :  gloss; specifically :  an editorial interpolation

2:  a heading of a part of a book or manuscript done or underlined in a color (as red) different from the rest

3:  an established rule, tradition, or custom

4:  a guide listing specific criteria for grading or scoring academic papers, projects, or tests

— rubric or ru·bri·cal \-bri-kəl\ adjective

— ru·bri·cal·ly \-bri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Origin of RUBRIC

Middle English rubrike red ocher, heading in red letters of part of a book, from Anglo-French, from Latin rubrica, from rubr-, ruber red

First Known Use: 14th century

It is hard to imagine a person who, having been a college professor, would hate this word Rubric.  Well, I am just such a person!  

The word Rubric to me sounds like someone who is stuttering over the word Rubik - which we all know is that frustrating 6-sided, 9-tiled cube from our childhood.  That is really the point it think... when I was a child, I had never heard of the word Rubric, but I was very familiar with the word, puzzle, and game Rubik!  So, for what it worth, I will take my Rubik cube and you can have my Rubric!

Reference
Rubric. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubric

Synergy

Today's Word I Hate To Say is Synergy!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Synergy

syn·er·gy

noun\ˈsi-nər-jē\

: the increased effectiveness that results when two or more people or businesses work together

Full Definition of SYNERGY

1

:  synergism; broadly :  combined action or operation

2

:  a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts)

Examples of SYNERGY

1. A synergy has developed among the different groups working on this project.
2. two companies that have found synergy

Origin of SYNERGY

New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together

First Known Use: 1660

Well, I am back.  Many changes in life, but there are still words that frustrate me.  Synergy is a great choice to get re-started on this blog.  

Working in the corporate world this word is thrown around carelessly and often.  To me is sounds like someone was talking and slurred two words together and everyone thought it sounded cool.  Maybe it was a blend of sympathy and energy - maybe it was simple and prodigy.  Who know's?  No matter the reason or combination, it is over used and highly annoying. 

Reference
Synergy. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved December 19, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synergy

Peasy

Ok...

So I sincerely apologize for my long break from posting the words I hate.  My life has become exceptionally busy as of late with my teaching at the college, my kids having 13th birthdays, my family life, and various other things that generally consume one's time and days.

So, with all that... I am back with my next Word I Hate To Say - Peasy, Peezy, or Peasey!

Macmillan Dictionary - Peasy
ADJECTIVE 
BRITISH - INFORMAL 
British English pronunciation: easy-peasy /ˌiːzi ˈpiːzi/ 
- extremely easy.
This word is used mainly by children or when speaking to children.

First, I wish to state for the record, that this is not even a legitimate word.  Unless you consider the Urban Dictionary credible, there is no such word as Peasy in the English language.  Because of this, I get tired of hearing it, tired of hearing kids say it, and get utterly irritated that kids are being taught this word in elementary school.  No wonder our educational systems are a disgrace... we teach kids fiction and nonsense like Evolution, safe-sex, and imaginary words!

Secondly, as if I need to provide more reason to gripe...  Adults wander around saying easy-peasy lemon squeezy as if that is an common everyday phrase.  IT IS NOT unless you are addressing a preschooler (then refer to point number one above) and isn't much easier just to say that something is easy or simple?

Grow up people!  Teach our young well and the world will be a better place!  Ugh!