Pronounced: RUHMP-shun, noun
Notes: A word worth adding to one’s vocabulary
Yesterday’s word
The word myrmidon is “a loyal follower; especially a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously”
First usage
Our word came into English in the mid-1600s (but see comments)
Background / Comments
As I noted, I happen to know this word; it is used in the Lord Peter Wimsey crime stories by Dorothy Sayers (at least, that is where I learned the word). Our word capitalized (Myrmidon) refers to the legendary inhabitants of Thessaly in Greece and came into English in the mid-1400s. The Myrmidons were known for their fierce devotion to Achilles. This idea of loyalty carried over to the lowercase word (our word).
