RESISTENTIALISM

PRONUNCIATION: (ri-zis-TEN-shul-iz-um)

MEANING: noun: The theory that inanimate objects demonstrate hostile behavior toward us.

ETYMOLOGY: Coined by humorist Paul Jennings as a blend of the Latin res (thing) + French resister (to resist) + existentialism (a kind of philosophy). Earliest documented use: 1948.

NOTES: If you ever get a feeling that the photocopy machine can sense when you’re tense, short of time, need a document copied before an important meeting, and right then it decides to take a break, you’re not alone. Now you know the word for it.
As if to prove the point, my normally robust DSL Internet connection went bust for two hours just as I was writing this. I’m not making this up.
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RESISTENTICALISM - the philosophy of struggling against octopus arms

PRE-SISTENTIALISM - an offshoot of Catholicism that rose prior to the election of Pope Sixtus

RESIST-ANTI-ALISM - opposition to those who reject the priorities of environmental activist / presidential-aspirant Gore