A.Word.A.Day

kakistocracy

PRONUNCIATION:

MEANING:

noun: Government by the least qualified or worst persons.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek kakistos (worst), superlative of kakos (bad) + -cracy (rule). Ultimately from the Indo-European root kakka-/kaka- (to defecate), which also gave us poppycock, cacophony, cacology , and cacography . Earliest documented use: 1829.

USAGE:

“We must weigh our votes carefully. Else we are in danger of turning America’s time-tested democracy into a kakistocracy.”

Dan Warner; The Best Man for the Job Is Not as Easy as it Sounds; The News Press (Fort Myers, Florida); Jan 17, 2016.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: