A.Word.A.Day

psephology (see-FOL-uh-jee) noun

   The study of elections and voting, and their statistical analysis in
   the prediction of results.

[From Greek psephos (pebble) + -logy (study). Why a pebble in a word for
predicting election results? That's because ancient Greeks used pebbles
as ballots to register votes in elections. In fact, that's where the word
ballot comes from. A ballot is, literally, a little ball (diminutive of
Italian balla). Psephocracy is the word for a government decided by
election.]

  "The science of interpreting elections has a fancy name: psephology.
   A shorter, simpler and more accurate title for much election analysis
   is: fiction."
   David S. Broder; Psephology Finds Only Voter Indifference;
   Austin American Statesman (Texas); Sep 16, 1989.

  "In fact, with the exception of the foreign film and documentary
   categories, chosen by more elite committees, each is a postal vote of the
   5,600-strong membership, a vote superintended by PricewaterhouseCoopers,
   though voting majority and turnout records are not disclosed. There is no
   such thing as psephology on Oscar night."
   Peter Bradshaw; Oscars 2003: This Hypnotic Spectacle; The Guardian
   (London, UK); Mar 21, 2003.


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In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The
learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer
exists. -Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author (1902-1983)

- Audrey

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