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A.Word.A.Day--standpatism

This week's theme: words from games and sports.

standpatism or standpattism (STAND-PAT-iz-uhm) noun

The practice of refusing to consider change in one's beliefs and opinions, especially in politics.

[The term has its origin in the game of poker. It stems from stand pat, to play one's hand as it's dealt, without drawing other cards.]

See more usage examples of standpat in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

-Anu Garg (garg AT wordsmith.org)

"Compromise and common sense? Self-righteous standpatism and pigheadedness? We ought to know which has the upper hand after the next three days." Ray Fitzgerald; Sports; Boston Globe; May 6, 1980.

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