Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Subscribe

Archives



Jun 12, 2015
This week’s theme
Toponyms

This week’s words
antimacassar
podunk
charlatan
spaniel
Jerusalem syndrome

Homer Simpson struck with the syndrome during his visit to Jerusalem
Homer Simpson struck with the syndrome during his visit to Jerusalem
Image: Fox

This week's comments
AWADmail 676

Next week's theme
Random words
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

Jerusalem syndrome

PRONUNCIATION:
(ji-ROOS-uh-luhm SIN-drohm)

MEANING:
noun: A phenomenon in which a visitor to a holy place suffers from religious psychosis, such as believing him- or herself to be a messiah.

ETYMOLOGY:
After Jerusalem, Israel, where the phenomenon was first described by the psychiatrist Heinz Herman. Earliest documented use: 1987.

USAGE:
“Catherine admits a patient with Jerusalem syndrome who believes he has been touched by the hand of God.”
Kathryn Shattuck; What’s On Thursday; The New York Times; May 22, 2014.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
No one has ever become poor by giving. -Anne Frank, Holocaust diarist (12 Jun 1929-1945)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith