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1word1day2012-09-27 07:38 am
prettygoodword.livejournal.com) wrote in 1word1day2012-09-27 07:38 am
grammatolatry
grammatolatry (gram-muh-TOL-uh-tree) - n., the worship of words or letters; excessive concern for the letter (of a rule) instead of the spirit, literalism.
Not, alas, a worship of grammar, though it is used to describe grammar-nazis. May be a result of being a grammataster. Or a lawyer. One of a large list of -olatry words of worship (from Greek latreía, service, worship), joined in this case with Greek grammato- (from gramma, letter). Verbolatry.
"The worship of words is more pernicious than the worship of images -- grammatolatry is the worst species of idolatry."
Not, alas, a worship of grammar, though it is used to describe grammar-nazis. May be a result of being a grammataster. Or a lawyer. One of a large list of -olatry words of worship (from Greek latreía, service, worship), joined in this case with Greek grammato- (from gramma, letter). Verbolatry.
"The worship of words is more pernicious than the worship of images -- grammatolatry is the worst species of idolatry."
—Robert Dale Owen (1871)
---L.
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