Philistinism
“Philistinism” (FIL-uh-stee-niz-um) refers to people who are uncultured or materialistic. The word is derived from the name of an ancient Aegean tribe – enemies of the Israelites in the Old Testament.
Example (as used by Sarah Churchwell in a New York Times review of My Sister, My Love, by Joyce Carol Oates): “We are in a moral system that places philistinism on the same spectrum with child abuse and murder.”
[Ed. Note: Become a more persuasive writer and speaker ... build your self-confidence and intellect ... increase your attractiveness to others ... just by spending 10 VERY enjoyable minutes a day with ETR's new Words to the Wise CD Library.]
Comments