ism |ˈizəm|
noun informal chiefly derogatory
a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy, typically a political ideology or an artistic movement : of all the isms, fascism is the most repressive.
DERIVATIVES
ist noun
ORIGIN late 17th cent.: independent usage of -ism .
-ism
suffix forming nouns:
1 denoting an action or its result : baptism | exorcism.
• denoting a state or quality : barbarism.
2 denoting a system, principle, or ideological movement : Anglicanism | feminism | hedonism.
• denoting a basis for prejudice or discrimination : racism.
3 denoting a peculiarity in language : colloquialism | Canadianism.
4 denoting a pathological condition : alcoholism.
ORIGIN from French -isme, via Latin from Greek -ismos, -isma.
1. Euphemism
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing : “downsizing” as a euphemism for cuts. The opposite of dysphemism .
2. Symbolism
the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities
3. Dysphemism
a derogatory or unpleasant term used instead of a pleasant or neutral one, such as “loony bin” for “mental hospital.” The opposite of euphemism .
4. Reductionism
the practice of analyzing and describing a complex phenomenon, esp. a mental, social, or biological phenomenon, in terms of phenomena that are held to represent a simpler or more fundamental level. esp. when this is said to provide a sufficient explanation
5. Dogmatism
the tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others : a culture of dogmatism and fanaticism.
6. Egotism
the practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively because of an undue sense of self-importance.
7. Vandalism
action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.
8. Demagogism (also demagoguism)
the art and practice of gaining power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people.
9. Opportunism
exploiting circumstances to gain immediate advantage rather than being tuided by consistent principles
10. Exhibitionism and Egoism (a GOP twofer)
ex-hi-bi-tion-ism - extravagant behavior that is intended to attract attention to oneself.• Psychiatry a mental condition characterized by the compulsion to display one's genitals in public.
e-go-ism - an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality. • another term for egotism (see item 6. above).
11. Fanaticism
filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, esp. for an extreme religious or political cause. See note at zealot .
12. Escapism
the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, esp. by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.
John Boehner is making his escape, but there's no escaping the fact that in today's Republican party the inmates are in charge of the asylum.
13. Exceptionalism
the perception that a country, society, institution, movement, or time period is "exceptional" (i.e., unusual or extraordinary) in some way and thus does not need to conform to normal rules or general principles.
14. Fascism
an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.• (in general use) extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice.
The term Fascism was first used by the totalitarian right-wing nationalist regime of Mussolini in Italy (1922–43), and the regimes of the Nazis in Germany and Franco in Spain were also fascist. Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one national or ethnic group, a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach.
Note: I created this image on May 13, 2009 when it became apparent that the Republican party had no interest in working with President Obama, but instead wished to remake the country in the image of the Pre-Civil War South using the intimidation tactics of the Christian Knights Of The Ku Klux Klan.
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