- Today's Word
Luddite
[LUD-ayt]
Definition
- (noun) A person who is opposed to new technology or ways of working. It’s often used to describe someone who is resistant to technological change, particularly in the workplace or in everyday life.
Example
Despite everyone else in the office embracing the new project management software, Bob remained a luddite, insisting on using his old paper-based system.
Fun Fact
The term “Luddite” originated in the early 19th century during the Industrial Revolution in England. It refers to textile workers who protested against the introduction of labor-saving machinery by destroying it. They were supposedly led by a man named Ned Ludd, though his existence is debated. Today, the term has evolved beyond its original context to describe anyone resistant to technological change, often with a slightly derogatory connotation.
(noun) A form of irony in which a person pretends to refuse or show disinterest in something they actually desire
His accismus was obvious to everyone at the table — he waved off the dessert menu three times before finally ordering the chocolate cake.
Accismus comes directly from the Greek akkismos, meaning “prudery” or “affectation,” derived from Akkō, the name of a foolish woman in Greek legend known for her coy, affected behavior. It entered English as a formal rhetorical term, classified among the figures of speech used in classical oratory and persuasion.