In one of the sessions last week I was talking about the root word "cac" which means bad. As usual I set about troubling people by asking for words that originate from "cac"and one of the words that was suggested was cactus. That actually set me thinking 'cause I was not sure whether it did or not. Could it be? It sure seemed that way. Anyway I said I would cross-check. I did. It does not. Cactus originates from the Greek Kaktos which means cardoon (a kind of an artichoke, cultivated for its edible leafstalks and roots)
But then I thought this is a perfect root word to look at. So here are a few "Bad" words... I am sure you will enjoy them.... :-)
Cacodoxy
Erroneous doctrine; heresy; heterodoxy.
Etymology: cac(o) + doxa = bad + opinion
Cacography
Bad handwriting; poor penmanship.
Incorrect spelling.
Etymology: cac(o) + graphos = bad + (something) drawn or written, one who draws or writes
Cacoëthes
An irresistible urge; mania.
Etymology: cac(o) + ethos = bad + character
In other words: of bad character
Cacology
Defectively produced speech; socially unacceptable diction.
Etymology: cac(o) + -logy = bad + word, speech
Caconym
A name, esp. a taxonomic name, that is considered linguistically undesirable.
Etymology: cac(o) + -onym = bad + name
And on that note the Bad Man says,
Ciao
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