Finally a word that encompasses zuikoholism....
tOM
------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 00:03:10 -0400
From: Wordsmith <wsmith@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: linguaphile@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--oniomania
oniomania (O-nee-uh-MAY-nee-uh, MAYN-yuh) noun
Compulsive shopping; excessive, uncontrollable desire to buy things.
[From Latin, from Greek xnios (for sale), from onos (price) + -mania.]
"Usually, oniomania leads to financial problems, such as overspending on
credit cards and bad credit ratings."
Just Ask Us, Current Health 2 (Highland Park, Illinois), Mar 2, 2001.
"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.
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 900f 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's 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? -Anu
Sponsored by Think Right Now! International: DEPRESSED? ANXIOUS?
UNMOTIVATED? If your willpower & persistence always fizzle out, see the
new paradigm in personal growth.
http://mcssl.com/app/adtrack.asp?AdID=17954
AND
http://playsonthenet.com - this site is for all playwrights to upload
their plays, and anyone wishing to read a play can download one.
........................................................................
.... There is no frigate like a book / To take us lands away, / Nor any
coursers like a page / Of prancing poetry. -Emily Dickinson, poet
(1830-1886)
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Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/oniomania.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/oniomania.ram
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if anything small falls into them they ensnare it,
but large things break through and escape.
--Solon, statesman (c.638-c558 BCE)
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