Word of the Day, October 21: ‘Nostrum’

Word of the Day: NOSTRUM

Pronunciation: UK /ˈnɒs.trəm/

US /ˈnɑː.strəm/

Meaning

Nostrum is a noun used to describe a remedy or solution that is claimed to solve a problem but may be ineffective or lack scientific evidence. It can refer to a questionable medicine as well as a favoured idea or policy intended to address social, economic or political problems.

Examples for daily usage

• The doctor warned the patient against relying on an unproven nostrum advertised as a cure for every illness.
• The politician's proposal was dismissed as a nostrum that offered simple answers to a complicated economic problem.
• Instead of looking for a quick fix, the committee decided to examine the issue carefully rather than embrace another fashionable nostrum.

Origin and history

Nostrum entered English around the beginning of the 17th century. It comes from the Latin word nostrum, meaning “our” or “ours”, and was associated with the expression nostrum remedium, meaning “our remedy”.

The name was used for medicines prepared or sold by someone as their own special remedy. Over time, the word acquired a negative association with medicines whose effectiveness was unproven or whose claims were exaggerated.

By the 18th century, nostrum had also developed a figurative meaning: a favoured scheme or proposed remedy for a social or political problem. This usage continues today.

Also Read: Word of the Day, October 20: ‘Meretricious’ 

Cultural significance and modern usage

In modern writing, nostrum is frequently used in political commentary, economics and discussions of public policy. It can describe a proposal presented as a solution to a complex problem without sufficient evidence that it will succeed.

In medicine, the word can refer to a questionable or unproven remedy promoted with exaggerated claims.

Interesting facts

The plural of nostrum is nostrums. The Latin-derived plural nostra is also recorded.

Nostrum is a noun.

A panacea is something believed to solve all problems or cure all illnesses. A nostrum may be promoted as such a solution, but the words are not exact synonyms.

Examples from literature

Synonyms

• Quack remedy
• Ineffective remedy
• Quick fix
• Panacea
• Scheme

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