Make Your Point > Archived Issues > NOSTRUM

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explore the archives: Remember Dr. Terminus, the quack from Pete's Dragon (the 1977 version!) who wanted to sell dragon bits as cures for everything from thinning hair to growing old? He sold nostrums: fake remedies. "Nostrum" literally means "our remedy," hinting that the same person who makes the remedy also sells it. Can you think of a close synonym of nostrum that literally means "a cure for everything"? (It starts with "pan," meaning "everything" or "all.") make your point with... "NOSTRUM" A nostrum is a fake medicine: some substance for sale that promises to cure something or relieve a problem, but doesn't. More loosely, a nostrum is a suggested fix for a problem, but it's a fix that doesn't work even though people keep suggesting it as if it is going to work. Pronunciation: NOSS trum Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions." Likewise, talk about one nostrum or multiple nostrums.) Other forms: The plural is usually "nostrums," although some prefer "nostra." You can call someone a "nostrum-monger" if he or she tries to sell nostrums or push nostrums on other people. How to use it: "Nostrum" has a harsh and formal tone. Although you might use this word's stricter meaning from time to time ("Ha ha, this nostrum is made of cranberries and will cure migraines--right!"), you use the looser meaning more often. Call something a nostrum--like an idea, a suggestion, a plan, or a remedy--when it sounds like a good, simple way to solve a big problem that affects a large group of people, but it really doesn't work because it isn't realistic. If someone is prescribing or dispensing a nostrum, someone else may or may not be swallowing it. Some of us are attracted to nostrums: we grab onto nostrums or put our faith in nostrums. Others reject nostrums when they hear them--they're sick of nostrums-- and they try to set nostrums aside to focus on real solutions. Still, some people (such as politicians) continue to call for nostrums, offer nostrums, repeat the same old nostrums, even traffic in nostrums. You might follow "nostrum" with the word "for:" a nostrum for a specific problem ("a nostrum for poverty"), a nostrum for an intended outcome ("a nostrum for social equality"), or a nostrum for certain people ("a nostrum for readers with dyslexia"). And you might follow "nostrum" with "of:" a nostrum of some particular action ("a nostrum of law and order"), or the nostrum of certain people who suggest it or believe in it ("this nostrum of politicians"). You might also specify what kind of nostrum you're talking about: climate nostrums, policy nostrums, Democratic nostrums, Republican nostrums, etc. examples: The principal rejected the nostrum of harsher penalties for absences and tardies, knowing that in the past it had only increased the dropout rate. Facing severe student debt and a stark shortage of job opportunities, millennials are putting less faith in college degrees as a nostrum for success in life. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "nostrum" means when you can explain it without saying "ineffective solution" or "quack remedy." try it out: Think of a complex problem or issue that affects many people. Fill in the blanks: "(Some overly simple solution) is just another nostrum for (a problem or issue)." Example: "Extra practice in the form of dull homework packets is just another nostrum for kids' low performance on standardized tests." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing with KWIKORD, an addictive, challenging new word game for solo or group play, created by Wayne Ellice.  We're dipping our toes into the game this month, trying some simple challenges first and working our way toward harder tasks. (Check out my interview with the game's creator here, and order your own copy of the full version of KWIKORD here.) You'll see a sample answer to each puzzle the following day. Enjoy! Yesterday, you took the letters LNTAEO and arranged them into words to completely fill a 3x3 grid. Many solutions were possible. Here are two: That's not so easy! In that first solution, you could fit EAT, ETA, and LET in the rows only because the columns then spelled valid words, too: EEL, ATE, and TAT. Try it again today with the letters RGNAEU. Draw a tic-tac-toe board on some scrap paper and go for it! review today's word: 1. The opposite of NOSTRUM is A. REAL CURE B. ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS C. HELPFUL PLACEBO 2. _____ alone is an unconvincing nostrum for _____. A. Money .. those motivated by a need to help others B. Herbal tea .. pharmaceutical companies C. Technology .. the achievement gap between rich and poor students Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. C