One of the blogs I subscribe to, The Grammarist, sends me tidbits about frequently confused words. Sometimes they come up with brilliant comparisons or insights; other times I wonder if they were goofing around when they come up with things like “chips vs. fries,” “prostate vs. prostrate,” or “nib vs. nub.” Today’s article is one of those that made me laugh. Yes, the words (misology and mixology) sound similar, but do people really mix up “hatred of reason” with “mixing cocktails”? Well, you be the judge.
Misology and mixology are two words that are very close in pronunciation and spelling, but have different meanings.
Misology is a hatred of reason, a hatred of debate or a hatred of being free of ignorance. A misologist is one who hates reason or debate. The word misology is derived from the Greek word misologia, meaning hatred of words. The idea of misology is found in Plato’s Phaedo, which recalls the last hours of Socrates’ life and his suicide.
Mixology is the practice of mixing cocktails and other alcoholic drinks. One who performs mixology is a mixologist. The term mixologist to mean a bartender first appeared in the mid-1800s, though the term mixology first appeared in the mid-1900s, as a backformation of mixologist.
Shaken, not stirred.
Enjoy your weekend!
Kara Church
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