A.Word.A.Day

A.Word.A.Day

nepotism

PRONUNCIATION:

(NEP-uh-tiz-uhm)

MEANING:

noun: Favoritism shown to relatives and friends, especially in business or political appointments.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Italian nepotismo, from Latin nepos (grandson, nephew). Ultimately from the Indo-European root nepot- (grandson, nephew) that is also the source of the words nephew and niece.

NOTES:

The word originated from the practice of popes in the Roman Catholic Church to confer important positions to their sons. Since a pope had taken the vow of chastity, his son was euphemistically called a nephew.

USAGE:

"What is not siphoned off in corruption is wasted, due to the ineptitude of those appointed on the basis of nepotism and cronyism."
Mahreen Aziz Khan; Demo-crassy Rules; The Express Tribune (Karachi, Pakistan); Sep 25, 2010.

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A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece. -John Ruskin, author, art critic, and social reformer (1819-1900)