This blog post is the beginning of a new GUA.com regular feature: Word Of The Week.
I appreciate that other websites have words of the day/week, but they seem to never feature ‘good’ words, nor do they explain them in an interesting, and provocative way.

This will be a regular appearance on the GUA.com blog, such that I feel it disserves its own category !
The general premise, and idea for this section comes from my need, and thirst for knowledge. When I hear a word which sounds complex, or simply interesting, I make it my perogative to find out exactly what the word means. I am now going to share my findings with you!

The category will be entitled ‘Word of the week’, simply because my intention is not to fill this blog with loads of words, and their definitions. I want to leave room for other stuff too I do however reserve the right to post new words whenever I feel

Now to the first Word of the Week:

Narcissism
Wikipedia states: ‘Narcissism describes the trait of excessive self-love, based on self-image or ego.’

The roots of the word come from Narcissus, a Greek youth, who rejected a nymph named Echo.
Now call me old fashioned, but you would have to be a fool to not ‘get with’ a nymph for a start. Add in the fact that she is called Echo… this guy really must have been an idiot.

Now definitions of Narcissism vary: some state that it is simply self admiration; others suggest that it is this actually a psychological disorder. Under the assumption of the latter, I am in no position to abuse a disorder which the person has no control over. Unfortunate as it is however, Narcisists can negatively impact the psych and views of others.

Narcisism also apparently extends to a ‘sexual’ love of oneself. My feeling on this is that it is wierd full stop. If you are so egoistic about your own image, surely you should be able to find a partner? But then again maybe narcisists do not want to find a partner, perhaps they only want themselves.

Before I investigated Narcissism, I associated it with arrogance. Now I am aware of the differences. Arrogance, is thinking/exagerrating your own self worth, and can be associated with wealth, education, or looks. Narcissism is generally specific to looks, and a love of yourself. Arrogance is often a symptom of Narcissism. Either way both are undesireable traits.

All the same, the next time someone calls you a Narcisist, you can point out that actually you are not (assuming you are not), and then go on to explain exactly what the word means: this should put them in their place, and give you a bit of an ego boost. Hopefully not sufficient a boost to turn you into what you describe.

Best of luck with your new knowledge of such a complex word !