I never really thought about why Dictionary.com chose their word of the day, until they admitted that Donald Trump-watching was influencing their decisions.
First, there was paralogize, where he derives wrong conclusions from the facts at hand. Then there is the 1984-novel word Newspeak, which covers Trump’s alternative facts, both of which are just ways to say that politicians lie to us. Then came canard, which is yet another word for the Great Cheesehead’s lies. Even dudgeon, which describes the snits he throws when someone challenges or disagrees with him. At last, we come to;
MUMPSIMUS
Definitions for mumpsimus
adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy (opposed to sumpsimus).
a person who persists in a mistaken expression or practice (opposed to sumpsimus).
Origin of mumpsimus 1520 – 1530
Mumpsimus entered English from a story, which perhaps originated with Erasmus, of an illiterate priest who said mumpsimus rather than sumpsimus (1st plural perfect indicative of Latin sūmere to pick up) while reciting the liturgy, and refused to change the word when corrected.
Sound like anyone we know? The Excited States is not the only country afflicted with politicians like this. Canada has a few of its own, and I am sure other countries do, as well. Since the word is an error, it has nothing to do with mumps, which is a whole different pain in the neck. I would not call Yoga-instructor, ski-bum, drama-student, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a pain in the neck. I have a much lower opinion of him.
See you soon, with some non-political words. 😛
Archon's Den 