This week’s theme
Eponyms

This week’s words
lorelei
Paul Pry
boycott
chauvinism
lovelace

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(SHO-vuh-niz-uhm)

MEANING:

noun: The belief in the superiority of one’s country, group, gender, etc.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Nicolas Chauvin, a legendary French soldier in Napoleon’s army, noted for his fanatical patriotism. The figure of Nicolas Chauvin was popularized in the play La Cocarde Tricolore by the Cogniard brothers. Earliest documented use: 1870.

USAGE:

“It wasn’t some cheap outcrop of chauvinism. It was rather the latest evidence of sport’s ability to unite a people in pride.”
James Lawton; Magical Memories of 2012 Olympics; The Independent (London, UK); Dec 21, 2012.

See more usage examples of chauvinism in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: