When People Become Words

Take the word "mesmerize". According to Webster's 9th (my fave!) it means to hypnotize, spellbind, fascinate.

From "mesmerism" which was a movement and process popular in the 18th century after Friedrich Mesmer evolved techniques based on "animal magnetism" for a variety of bizarre cures and treatments for various ailments.

How many words do we use on a daily basis that actually evolved from an individual who did something to earn the honor?

Well, off the top of my head: The Marquis de Sade = sadist, sadistic, sadism and his counterpart, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch = masochist, masochistic, masochism.

And together we have, voila: S&M! Go together just like Sonny & Cher, huh?

A Fiend By Any Other Name?

Two of my favorite words today, for the price (!) of one:

Fiend: Noun - a. Devil b. Demon c. a person of great wickedness or maliciousness (but the secondary meaning approximates fanatic or - fan!)

And the word lends itself in adjective form to "fiendish". A most delectable word for creating an image of a most horrible character.

According to Webster's 9th Collegiate: 1. perversely diaboloical and, in a less intense definition, 2. extremely cruel or wicked.

For example:



And when one is a fiend, one tends to have helpers in one's fiendish endeavors. Rather than "helper" of course (such a benign and generic word) or "assistant" (too clinical), I prefer the word:

MINION - a servile dependent.

And isn't "servile" too perfect?

Naughty or Not?

Prostrate.

As per Webster's Collegiate 9th Ed:

As a verb: "to put oneself in a humble and submissive posture or state".

As an adjective: "stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission" (see 'prone') or alternatively, "lacking in vitality or will".

Used in sentences, "She demanded he prostrate himself before her." Or "She was prostrate with grief."

Note the all-too-frequent error of the use of the word "prostate" in place of the above.

Not. The. Same. Thing. At. All.

A prostate is the dangling appendange that men hold dear. Figuratively speaking.

The sentences would read:

"When told by the Grand High Poo-Bah that his punishment would be the loss of his prostate by sword, the hero became prostrate with terror."

Nobody lies "prostate" on the ground. They could lie prostrate WITH their prostate on the ground, though.

Pays to double check these words.