2 January 2015

obloquy

[ob-luh-kwee]

noun, plural obloquies.
1. censure, blame, or abusive language aimed at a person or thing, especially by numerous persons or by the general public.
2. discredit, disgrace, or bad repute resulting from public blame, abuse, or denunciation.

Origin

late Middle English Late Latin
1425-1475; late Middle English < Late Latin obloquium contradiction, equivalent to Latin obloqu (ī) to contradict ( ob- ob- + loquī to speak) + -ium -ium

Related forms

obloquial [o-bloh-kwee-uh l], adjective

Synonyms
1. reproach, calumny; aspersion, revilement.

Antonyms
1. praise. 2. credit.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the web for obloquy
– Not all writers or artists seek or ably perform a public role, and those who do risk obloquy and derision, even in free societies.
– It must accept in silence obloquy heaped upon it by self-serving politicians.
– But when moved deeply by principle he risked political sabotage and personal obloquy for his convictions.

Today’s aphorism

The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.

– Aldous Huxley

On this day

2 January 1952 – birth of Graeme ‘Shirley’ Strachan, in a helicopter crash near Maroochydore, Queensland. Lead singer of Australian band, Skyhooks.

2 January 1979 – Sid Vicious, former bass player with the Sex Pistols, goes on trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spugen. Vicious and Spungen had allegedly been using heroin, and Vicious claimed he woke to find her dead on the bathroom floor. He was released on bail on 1 February 1979. It was later revealed that Mick Jagger paid the bail. That night he celebrated his release with friends. Vicious had stopped using heroin, however, his mother provided some that night. Early the following morning (2 February 1979), Vicious died of an overdose.