nostrum | Word of the Day

November 30, 2017 nostrum [nos-truh m] noun 1. a scheme, theory, device, etc., especially one to remedy social or political ills; panacea. 2. a medicine sold with false or exaggerated claims and with no demonstrable value; quack medicine. ways to say 'Tis the Season for Festive Holiday Phrases word facts Turkey: A Bird or a Nation? WORD OF THE DAY nostrum continued... QUOTES We begin to find that with individuals, as with nations, the only safe revolution is one arising out of the wants which their own progress has generated. It is the quackery of infidelity to suppose that it has a nostrum for all mankind, and to say to all and singular, "Swallow my opinions and you shall be whole." -- , "George Eliot to Sara Hennell, October 19, 1843," George Eliot's Life, as related in her Letters and Journals, 1895 ORIGIN In Latin nostrum is a neuter singular possessive pronoun meaning "our." There is no noun expressed to be qualified, but the noun remedium "cure, medicine, remedy" may be understood. The original sense of nostrum "patent medicine made of secret ingredients" has always had more than a whiff of snake oil about it. The later sense of nostrum, dating from the mid-18th century and meaning "favorite but questionable plan for social or political improvement," also carries an unfavorable connotation. Nostrum entered English in the early 17th century. MORE FROM THE WEB OTHERS ARE READING 1 Our 2017 Word of the Year Is Complicit A reflection on words that impacted all of us this year. 2 Beautiful Quotes For The True Word Lover If you're fascinated by words, you may be a logophile. 3 This Quiz Is More Than Razzle-Dazzle Take a break; it's quiz time. 4 This Quiz Could Be Macaronic Take your chance to scrimshank! 5 Wild Dance Idioms These Phrases Will Get You Moving © 2017 Dictionary.com, LLC. ABOUT CONTACT You are subscribed to the Word of the Day as: matzom229@gmail.com Subscriber since: September 06, 2017 Unsubscribe Dictionary.com, LLC. 555 12th Street Suite 500 Oakland CA 94607 Manage your subscription Terms & Privacy