Word of the Day: LETHARGY

An almost mythical feeling of drowsiness

lethargy (noun) - a state of deep and lasting drowsiness or fatigue; sluggishness [leth-er-jee]

• lethargic means feeling very listless, tired, or disinterested; torpid

BREAKDOWN: The word lethargic derives from conventional roots, but its base is more interesting than that of many other words:

LETH- (forgetfulness) + ARG- (idle) + -Y (act or state)

The root LETH- refers to one of the most famous of the five rivers of Hades, the mythical Greek underworld. The River Lethe was known both as the yellow river and the river of forgetfulness, because those who drank from it experienced complete forgetfulness. The name Lethe was also ascribed to the Greek spirit of forgetfulness and oblivion.

“The problem with lethargy is that doing nothing validates the fear that nothing can be done.” —Bill Crawford

[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily derived from classical roots.]