Word Wednesday: Obsequious

ob·se·qui·ous

adj \əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs, äb-\

Definition of OBSEQUIOUS

: marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness

— ob·se·qui·ous·ly adverb

— ob·se·qui·ous·ness noun

Origin of OBSEQUIOUS

Middle English, compliant, from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to comply, from ob- toward + sequi to follow — more at ob-, sue

First Known Use: 15th century

I have no real anecdote to accompany this word, I just find it to be one of those great words that you can bandy about in a very disdainful tone, making everyone around you think that you are extremely intelligent. I was going to say, "more intelligent than you really are" but I don't think that is necessarily true. For some of you, using obsequious in everyday conversation might be an accurate testament to exactly how smart you are. For those of you who want to up your perceived intelligence quotient...

Use it in a sentence!

I found the obsequiousness of my secretary to be so grating that I had her transferred to the mail room.

Your obsequiousness disgusts me!

I would not find it at all obsequious for you to tell me how intelligent I sound.

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