- Today's Word
Pariah
puh-RY-uh
Definition
- (noun) A person who is rejected or ostracized by society or a particular group; an outcast.
Example
After exposing the company’s unethical practices, he became a pariah in the corporate world, shunned by colleagues who feared association with him.
Fun Fact
The word “pariah” comes from the Tamil word paraiyar, which referred to a hereditary group of drummers in southern India who were considered social outcasts under the caste system. The term entered English during British colonial rule in India and evolved into a metaphor for anyone who is marginalized or excluded. Interestingly, its adoption into English reflects the cultural intersections and linguistic exchanges of colonial history, highlighting how specific cultural practices can influence broader language usage.
(noun) Excessive confidence or boldness; rashness in the face of danger or opposition without regard for consequences.
The junior analyst had the temerity to challenge the CEO’s projections in front of the entire board — and was proven right six months later.
Temerity derives from the Latin temeritas, meaning “rashness” or “blind chance,” rooted in temere — “rashly” or “by chance” — suggesting action taken without looking, in the dark, without regard for what might be coming. It entered English in the 15th century carrying its full Latin sense of dangerous, heedless boldness — the kind that mistakes the absence of fear for the presence of wisdom.