Word of the Week for the week of July 17, 2016

Affluenza

[af-loo-EN-zuh]

Meaning & Usage

noun a general lack of remorse for one's actions among wealthy individuals, characterized by a sense of isolation and the lack of motivation.

After his arrest for driving under the influence, Justin Bieber's grinning mugshot and light punishment became iconic symbols of celebrity affluenza.

Origin

A blend of affluence + influenza. Both words are from Latin fluere (to flow). Ultimately from the Indo-European root bhleu- (to swell or overflow), from which flow words such as influence, fluctuate, fluent, fluid, fluoride, flush, flux, reflux, superfluous, fluvial, and profluent. Earliest documented use: 1973.

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