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December 9, 2023
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| Word of the
Week--"mediocre"
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Definition--of moderate to low
quality, average;
rather inferior.
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| Discussion--Some of us strive for
mediocrity, but few admit
it. An average or mediocre performance can cause great anguish and
consternation to the performer
as well as the audience. On the other hand, a mediocre seat in which to
watch the performance
is probably nothing to fret over.
Sometimes a mediocre grade, such as a C, is a wonderful accomplishment
for a struggling student, and
may mean more than an easy A.
So practice random acts of kindness and senseless beauty, and celebrate
mediocrity when you can!
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| Etymology--The term
mediocre is borrowed from the Middle French
médiocre, which was borrowed from the Latin
mediocris. The Latin originally
meant halfway up a mountain, a combination of medius (middle) and
ocris (jagged
mountain), and came to mean of middling or moderate quality. Today's
usage has taken on a more negative
connotation.
The languages below all display similar roots.
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Foreign
Translations
| German: |
mittelmäßig |
| Dutch: |
middelmatig |
| French: |
médiocre |
| Italian: |
mediocre |
| Spanish: |
mediocre |
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Jane Ellis
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