normalcy

normalcy
normalcy (n.) 1857, "mathematical condition of being at right angles," from NORMAL (Cf. normal) + -CY (Cf. -cy). Associated since c.1920 with U.S. president Warren G. Harding and derided as an example of his incompetent speaking style. Previously used mostly in the mathematical sense. The word prefered by purists for "a normal situation" is NORMALITY (Cf. normality) (1849).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • normalcy — or mal*cy, n. The quality, state, or fact of being normal; the normal situation or condition; as, the point of normalcy. [R.] Syn: normality. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • normalcy — index competence (sanity), sanity Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Normalcy — Harding called for a return to normalcy. A return to normalcy (i.e. a return to the way of life before World War I) was United States presidential candidate Warren G. Harding’s campaign promise in the election of 1920. Although detractors… …   Wikipedia

  • normalcy — [[t]nɔ͟ː(r)m(ə)lsi[/t]] N UNCOUNT Normalcy is a situation in which everything is normal. He said that the government was committed to restore normalcy and hold elections in the Punjab... Underneath this image of normalcy, addiction threatened to… …   English dictionary

  • normalcy — normality, normalcy In BrE normality is the usual word, and normalcy is regarded with disfavour although both words date from about the same time (mid 19c): • The morning passed slowly, uneventfully, and with a beguiling normality Anita Brookner …   Modern English usage

  • normalcy — /nawr meuhl see/, n. the quality or condition of being normal, as the general economic, political, and social conditions of a nation; normality: After months of living in a state of tension, all yearned for a return to normalcy. [1855 60; NORMAL… …   Universalium

  • normalcy — noun The state of being normal; the fact of being normal; normality. Designers can create normalcy out of chaos; they can clearly communicate ideas through the organizing and manipulating of words and pictures. Syn: normality Ant: abnormalcy …   Wiktionary

  • normalcy — See normalcy, normality …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • Normalcy — nickname for Warren G Harding who advocated “a return to normalcy” …   Eponyms, nicknames, and geographical games

  • normalcy —    is widely and perhaps even a little reflexively condemned in Britain as an inelegant Americanism. Its coinage is often attributed to President Warren G. Harding, who did indeed promise voters a return to normalcy as part of one of his campaign …   Dictionary of troublesome word

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