Words / C2

NOSTR-uh-m/ˈnɒstrəm/

A nostrum is a pet remedy or scheme, often with little evidence (formal / disapproving): a political nostrum, patent nostrums. Cure (already in the dictionary) is everyday; panacea (already in the dictionary) is a cure-all, the close cousin. Quack medicine is the old literal sense. Do not sell a branding film as a staffing nostrum.

Meaning

A favourite, often dubious, remedy or scheme (formal / disapproving).

Examples

• “A branding nostrum is not a spare invigilator.”
• “Cure is everyday (already in the dictionary). A panacea claims to fix everything (already in C2). A protocol with a date is a treatment. A slogan on the wall is a nostrum if it is meant to stand in for a post. Name the rota.”

Good to know

A quack cure or pet scheme. Everyday: pet remedy. Close: panacea (cure-all, already in C2). A film is not a post.

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