scare quote

Pronounced: (just like it sounds), noun

Notes: I didn’t know this phrase, but it is common

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Yesterday’s word

The word eudemonic means “pertaining to or conducive to happiness; related to theories of happiness”

First usage

Our word came into English in the mid-1800s

Background / Comments

The word comes from the Greek word eudaimonikós, which comes from eudaimōn (blessed with a good genius, fortunate, happy). My original guess of eu- combined with demon and -ic was correct, but apparently, daimōn – the Greek base for demon – could also mean “destiny” or “fortune”.