Gene's Footnotes

I have never been impressed by the messenger and always inspect the message, which I now understand is not the norm. People prefer to filter out discordant information. As such, I am frequently confronted with, "Where did you hear that...." Well, here you go. If you want an email version, send me an email.

December 04, 2009

Today's word

Wordsmith Words: kakistocracy Top
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kakistocracy
 
(kak-i-STOK-ruh-see, kah-ki-)

noun
Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens.

Etymology
Greek kakistos, worst, superlative of kakos, bad + -cracy, government, rule.
Usage
"Russia is proving the opposite. Late last year, the kakistocracy propping up Boris Yeltsin decided not to risk giving up power." — William Safire, Contrasting Elections, The New York Times, March 20, 2000.

So, now you have the right term to use. 

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posted by Gene | 4:02 PM

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