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?
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