Posted on 11/04/2010 4:59:29 AM PDT by secret garden
In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".
psephology \see-FAH-luh-jee\ noun
the scientific study of elections
Example sentence:
"To help voters make up their minds, this issue contains a 20-page briefing on personality, policy and psephology."
--- The Economist, April 10, 2010
Etymology:
"Psephology" is from the Greek word "psēphos," meaning "pebble." (One relative of "psephology" is "psephomancy," meaning "divination by pebbles.") "Psephology" merited election as the name for the work of analysts of elections, or psephologists, because pebbles were used by the ancient Greeks in voting. Similarly, the word "ballot" was an excellent choice for a means of voting since it is derived from "balla," the Italian word for "ball," and Italians placed balls in a container to cast votes.
Word Trivia: What word meaning "to banish" or "to exclude from a group" comes from an ancient Greek method of voting by writing a name down on a pottery fragment?
The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-)
Practice makes perfect.....post on....
Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!)
Review Thread Two: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/14/03: Roister
Review Thread Three: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/28/03: Obdurate
WFB's attempt to emulate us ; ) No pushing at the door please!
Rise and shine!
The psephologists in our government still don’t “get it.”
No, they don't. A for you!
SG, could I please be added to your ping list?
TIA
All the psephology of Tuesday’s election leads to one obvious summation: there are still millions of idiots out there that shouldn’t be allowed to vote.
Good Morning!
For a moment, I thought it was the scientific study of one of the Three Stooges.
Need more coffee.
There have been some fabulous psephologies in today’s New York Post, especially George Will’s.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2621125/posts
Another one I loved:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2621124/posts
and finally:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2621123/posts
i meant to say, here is the esteemed DOCTOR of psephology, study of bad toupees.
Absolutely, I’d be glad to do it. Subs, we have a new student to add to your ping lists.
Sixty five and I’m “the new kid.” LOL!!!
we will, accordingly, pelt you with spitballs ; )
George Will’s was delicious, i am going to read the other two now, thanks for gathering them up!
Since I was taught by nuns, be warned that I am quite familiar with the many uses of pointers and meter sticks. ;)
Especially in Collyfornia. A for you!
oopsie....
On Nov. 2, the psepholomaniacs in the MSM
did not like the People’s choices, and so preferring
psephomancy and their own disingenuity,
began to cast their usual fables.
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