18 July 2014

officious

[uh-fish-uhs]

adjective

1. objectionably aggressive in offering one’s unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome: an officious person.
2. marked by or proceeding from such forwardness: officious interference.
3. Obsolete . ready to serve; obliging.

Origin:
1555–65; < Latin officiōsus obliging, dutiful, equivalent to offici ( um ) office + -ōsus -ous

Related forms
of·fi·cious·ly, adverb
of·fi·cious·ness, noun
o·ver·of·fi·cious, adjective
o·ver·of·fi·cious·ly, adverb
o·ver·of·fi·cious·ness, noun

Can be confused: 1. official, officious ; 2. officiate, officious.

Today’s aphorism

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

– Nelson Mandela

On this day

18 July – Mandela Day – An internationally recognised day to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. ‘Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day’. http://www.mandeladay.com/

18 July 64 AD – Great Fire of Rome.

18 July 1918 – birth of Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician. Died 5 December 2013.

18 July 1925 – Hitler publishes Mein Kampf.

18 July 1937 – birth of Hunter S. Thompson, American writer and gonzo journalist. Died 20 February 2005.

18 July 1950 – birth of Richard Branson, British entrepreneur.