Monday word: cacoethes

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

cacoethes (kăk′ō-ē′thēz), noun

An irresistible compulsion; an uncontrollable urge or desire, especially for something harmful.

Etymology: Greek kakos, bad + ethos, disposition.

This word seems really familar, as if someone has already done it.  But, google didn't turn up any recent posts.

"Cacoethes scribendi" is an irresistible desire to write.

Comments

[med_cat]

Love it, esp. the phrase ;)

You're right, it does sound very familiar; I think it might've been posted elsewhere recently, perhaps on one of the FB groups or one of the "word of the day" emails?