The Death of Fissiparous and Other Words: A Dictionary of Words & Phrases on the Verge of Extinction

carpe diem

KAWR-pay DEE-uhm

phrase

seize the day; enjoy the present without worry of the future; make the most of the day or moment in time

1914Durant DrakeProblems of ConductThe wisdom of the worldly teacher—at least, the carpe diem—was practised here before the injunction was ever thought of. 1925Earl Derr BiggersCharlie Chan: The House Without A Key'Carpe diem,' she said. 'Which my nephew once translated as 'grab the day.'1989Tom SchulmanDead Poet's SocietyKEATING: Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. The Latin term for that sentiment is 'Carpe Diem.' Anyone know what that means?

Labels: Durant Drake, Earl Derr Biggers, Tom Schulman

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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eudemonistic

yoo-DEE-muh-nis-tik

adjective

having the characteristics of an ethical system that evaluates action in terms of the action's capacity to produce happiness

1908Inazo NitobBushido: The Soul of JapanI admit Bushido had its esoteric and exoteric teachings; these were eudemonistic, looking after the welfare and happiness of the commonalty, while those were aretaic, emphasizing the practice of virtues for their own sake.1914Durant DrakeProblems of ConductIf any eudemonistic moralists have lived loosely, it was because they did not realize what really makes for happiness or had not strength of will to cleave to it, not because they saw happiness as the criterion.

Labels: Durant Drake, Inazo Nitob

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Entry By: CJ Cooney
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