A.Word.A.Day--cater-cousin

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The Magic of Words

Oct 7, 2010

This week's theme
Words about relations

This week's words
nepotism
cozen
avuncular
cater-cousin

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

cater-cousin

PRONUNCIATION:

(KAY-tuhr kuz-uhn)

MEANING:

noun: An intimate friend.

ETYMOLOGY:

The origin of the term is uncertain, though various theories have been proposed. According to one, the term is derived from French quatre-cousin (fourth cousin), implying someone who is so close as to almost be a relative, or one who is close enough to be among the fourth cousins. Another idea is that the term cater-cousin alludes to people intimate enough to be catering to each other. Finally, there's the sense of cater meaning diagonally (as in catercorner).

USAGE:

"I am charged with buying 30% of stocks through cater-cousin, Haggi Jalilov."
The Advocate Disproves Statements About His Involvement; Azer-Press (Azerbaijan); Dec 22, 2005.

"His master and he ... are scarce cater-cousins."
William Shakespeare; Merchant of Venice; c. 1600.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

It is not necessarily true that averaging the averages of different populations gives the average of the combined population. (Simpson's Paradox) -Edward H. Simpson, statistician (b. 1922)

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