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Paladin

Paladin 15,400
Happy

Posted

Quote: The words "Do Not Press" near a large red button induces a cacoethes to press the button anyway.

Along with signs saying "wet paint".

nicksplat rugrats GIF

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Bill W

Bill W 57,785
Goofy

Posted (edited)

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The word cacoethes comes from Latin, which borrowed it from the Greek word kakoethes, meaning "ill-disposed" or "malignant".   It combines kakós ("bad") and êthos ("character" or "disposition"). The term entered English in the mid-16th century, with its modern meaning of an "insatiable desire" or "mania" popularized by the Roman satirist Juvenal's phrase, insanabile scribendi cacoethes, or "the incurable disease/passion for writing".  Its modern meaning is "an irresistible urge to do something inadvisable." 

The noun cacoethes was first used in English in the 16th century, appearing in the late 1500s. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) cites its earliest known use in the writing of John Foxe, the martyrologist, in 1570. 

Examples of "cacoethes" in a sentence: 
" He indulged his cacoethes for climbing trees, even though he knew he might fall."  
"The professor succumbed to a cacoethes for writing, publishing articles on every topic that caught his interest."  
"She gave in to a sudden attack of cacoethes and ate the entire box of chocolates."  
"Despite the risks, his incurable cacoethes for gambling led him to a casino every weekend." 
 

I guess you could say that nearly everyone here at Gay Authors is suffering from cacoethes, at least in the original meaning of the word. 

Edited by Bill W
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drpaladin

drpaladin 95,260
Zorro

Posted

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Cacoethes. I knew there must be a term for these odd impulses which pop into my mind.

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Bill W

Bill W 57,785
Goofy

Posted

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Hannibal Lecter was unable to control a cacoethes for committing murder and then cannibalizing the corpse.  

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George Richard

George Richard 1,643
No Mood Set

Posted

The string of unknown words continues!

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sandrewn

sandrewn 26,372
Meh

Posted

When I saw the definition of our word of the day, I know I am dating myself, but the first thing that came to mind was Flip Wilson and his sassy character Geraldine Jones.

" The Devil made me do it! "

  • The Character:
    Geraldine Jones, a character played by Flip Wilson on his 1970s variety show, would often use the line "The Devil made me do it!" as a humorous excuse for her impulsive or mischievous behavior.
  • Cultural Impact:
    The phrase became a widely recognized part of the American lexicon, used as a lighthearted excuse for getting into trouble, according to Salvationist.ca.

Flip Wilson Quotes - BrainyQuote

Satan’s Two Favorite Lies

 

:cowboy:(I can't believe it has been over 50 years since)

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drpaladin

drpaladin 95,260
Zorro

Posted

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17 minutes ago, sandrewn said:

:cowboy:(I can't believe it has been over 50 years since)

Back when car interiors looked like a lounge in an upscale bordello.

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Bill W

Bill W 57,785
Goofy

Posted (edited)

3 hours ago, sandrewn said:

When I saw the definition of our word of the day, I know I am dating myself, but the first thing that came to mind was Flip Wilson and his sassy character Geraldine Jones.

" The Devil made me do it! "

  • The Character:
    Geraldine Jones, a character played by Flip Wilson on his 1970s variety show, would often use the line "The Devil made me do it!" as a humorous excuse for her impulsive or mischievous behavior.
  • Cultural Impact:
    The phrase became a widely recognized part of the American lexicon, used as a lighthearted excuse for getting into trouble, according to Salvationist.ca.

Flip Wilson Quotes - BrainyQuote

Satan’s Two Favorite Lies

 

:cowboy:(I can't believe it has been over 50 years since)

Thanks for the memories, sandrew.  I haven't thought about the Flip Wilson  Show and his Geraldine character in years.  Thanks for the memories.  :heart:  :rofl:

Edited by Bill W
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Bill W

Bill W 57,785
Goofy

Posted

2 hours ago, drpaladin said:

Back when car interiors looked like a lounge in an upscale bordello.

And it served like one for many couples at that time as well!  :rofl:  You could certainly do things in those old cars that are impossible in today's vehicles with their bucket sears.  You could also enter the vehicle on the passenger's side and then slide over behind the wheel, or exit the car using the reverse process.   

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drpaladin

drpaladin 95,260
Zorro

Posted

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2 hours ago, Bill W said:

And it served like one for many couples at that time as well!  :rofl:  You could certainly do things in those old cars that are impossible in today's vehicles with their bucket sears.  You could also enter the vehicle on the passenger's side and then slide over behind the wheel, or exit the car using the reverse process.   

I've never seen the practicality of those stupid consoles.

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