- Today's Word
Demagogue
DEM-uh-gawg
Definition
- (noun) A leader who gains power by appealing to emotions, prejudices, or popular desires rather than reason or logic.
Example
The politician’s speeches, filled with fear-mongering and empty promises, revealed him as a demagogue.
Fun Fact
“Demagogue” comes from the Greek dēmagōgos, meaning “leader of the people.” While it once referred to positive leaders, the word now carries a negative connotation, describing figures who manipulate public emotions for personal gain. History is full of such figures, making “demagogue” a powerful term in political discourse.
(noun) The range of one’s knowledge, understanding, or awareness.
Quantum physics lies far beyond my ken, no matter how many articles I read.
Ken comes from Old English cennan, meaning “to know” or “to make known,” and is closely related to Middle English and Scots usage where it meant knowledge, perception, or recognition. Over time, the word narrowed to describe the limits of what someone knows or understands, which is why it’s often used today in phrases like “beyond my ken.”