A.Word.A.Day -- oniomania

A.Word.A.Day

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Aug 26, 2002

This week's theme
Words about buying & selling

This week's words
oniomania
duopoly
monopsony
nummary
emptor

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

Many years ago, when I came to the US to study, I quickly realized that the laws of economics don't apply here. When you buy something, you actually save, rather than spend. The more you buy, the more you save. Buy and Save ... isn't there something wonderful about this whole thing? I figured that if I bought a new car every month, the money I saved as a result would easily pay for my graduate school. I marveled at the compassion and generosity of the shopkeepers who were willing to forgo as much as 70, 80, or even 90% of the price of things several times a year, perhaps just to help out impecunious graduate students like me. Be it Labor Day, Presidents' Day, or Memorial Day, they'd join in the spirit and open their doors for people to come in and save. I recall writing home:

Dear Mother and Father,
Today is Memorial Day in the US. On this day we recognise the sacrifices of members of the armed forces who gave their lives to protect this truly great country. Like my American friends, I'm also going to observe this solemn day by visiting some Memorial Day sale and BBQ ...

Well, a long time has passed since. I no longer call the storeowners, shopkeepers. And I spell recognise as recognize now. But I wonder. What does it mean to buy something? What do we buy when we buy something? When we buy Coke, for instance, are we simply hoping to get carbonated, sweetened and colored water, or something more? Coolness and confidence, maybe? Ability to attract women/men, perhaps? What do you think?

oniomania

(O-nee-uh-MAY-nee-uh, -MAYN-yuh)

noun: Compulsive shopping; excessive, uncontrollable desire to buy things.

[From Latin, from Greek onios (for sale), from onos (price) + -mania.]

"Like other compulsive disorders, scientists are working on a cure for oniomania. And according to a report in HealthScout, it could be just around the corner. At Stanford University, researchers are testing a drug to treat a shopaholic's desire to spend."
Phenomena; Ottawa Citizen (Canada); Nov 25, 2000.

X-Bonus

Permanent good can never be the outcome of untruth and violence. -Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

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