NEPOTISM

PRONUNCIATION: (NEP-uh-tiz-uhm)

MEANING: noun: Favoritism shown to relatives and friends, especially in business or political appointments.

ETYMOLOGY From Italian nepotismo, from Latin nepos (grandson, nephew). Ultimately from the Indo-European root nepot- (grandson, nephew) that is also the source of the words nephew and niece. Earliest documented use: 1669.

NOTES: The word originated from the practice of popes in the Roman Catholic Church to confer important positions to their sons. Since a pope had taken the vow of chastity, his son was euphemistically called a nephew.
________________________

NEPHOTISM - 1. favoring the son of ones' siblings; 2. a murky way to run an enterprise (variant: NEPHELOTISM)

YEPOTISM - surrounding oneself with sycophants and yes-men. Antonym: NOPOTISM

NEROTISM - burning the city to fight the rat infestation

NYPOTISM - the Oldest Established Permanent Floating Poker Game In New York