social situation | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

409 entries found.

1928, first in "Time" magazine, from social (adj.) in the "pertaining to high society" sense, perhaps as a play on social light, in imitation of words in -ite (1).

anomie (n.)

"absence of accepted social values," 1915, in reference to Durkheim, who gave the word its modern meaning in social theory in French; a reborrowing with French spelling of anomy.

death-trap (n.)

"structure or situation involving imminent risk of death," 1835, from death + trap (n.).

Nagasaki

Japanese city, named for its situation, from naga "long" + saki "headland, promontory."

classless (adj.)

1874 in the social sense, "having or belonging to no class," from class (n.) in the "social order" sense + -less. As "lacking the sophistication of high class," by 1979. Related: Classlessly; classlessness.

maladaptive (adj.)

"not exhibiting adequate or appropriate adjustment to a situation or environment," 1912, from mal- + adaptive.

zouk (n.)

Creole French, "party," from zouker "engage in unrestrained social activity."

socialize (v.)

1828, "to render social," from social (adj.). Meaning "to be sociable, to mingle" is recorded from 1895. Meaning "to make socialistic" is from 1846. Related: Socialized; socializing. The phrasing in socialized medicine is by 1912.

sitcom (n.)

by 1959, from the first elements of situation comedy, a phrase attested from 1953 of television shows, 1943 of radio programs; see situation.

Even Bing Crosby has succumbed to series TV and will appear in a sitcom as an electrical engineer who happens to break into song once a week. [Life magazine, Sept. 18, 1964]

no-win (adj.)

1962, in reference to a situation where victory is impossible, from no + win. Apparently popularized in connection with the Vietnam War.

Page 2

Trending words