normalcy, normality

normalcy, normality
Each of these words is acceptable in the meaning of "the state of being normal," "adherence to an established level or pattern": After the strain of war, people long to return to a state of normalcy (or normality). In 1920, when Warren G. Harding was running for the office of President, he declared that what the United States needed was "not nostrums by normalcy." Harding was criticized for using normalcy rather than normality, but he did not coin a word that had long been in use and that is now so much more common that one major dictionary does not list normality at all.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • normalcy — See normalcy, normality …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • normality — See normalcy, normality …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • normalcy — normality, normalcy In BrE normality is the usual word, and normalcy is regarded with disfavour although both words date from about the same time (mid 19c): • The morning passed slowly, uneventfully, and with a beguiling normality Anita Brookner …   Modern English usage

  • normality — normality, normalcy In BrE normality is the usual word, and normalcy is regarded with disfavour although both words date from about the same time (mid 19c): • The morning passed slowly, uneventfully, and with a beguiling normality Anita Brookner …   Modern English usage

  • Normality — may refer to: The property of conforming to a norm; see normality (behavior), assimilation (sociology) Normality (medicine) The state of dynamic equilibrium between all the bio psycho social parameters of the individual and the surrounding bio… …   Wikipedia

  • normalcy — (n.) 1857, mathematical condition of being at right angles, from NORMAL (Cf. normal) + CY (Cf. cy). Associated since c.1920 with U.S. president Warren G. Harding and derided as an example of his incompetent speaking style. Previously used mostly… …   Etymology dictionary

  • normalcy — or mal*cy, n. The quality, state, or fact of being normal; the normal situation or condition; as, the point of normalcy. [R.] Syn: normality. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • normality — or*mal i*ty n. 1. Conformity with the norm; the state of being normal; the normal condition. Syn: normalcy. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • normality — (also normalcy esp. in AmE) noun VERB + NORMALITY/NORMALCY ▪ restore, return to PHRASES ▪ a return to normality ▪ A complete return to normality may take weeks. ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • Normalcy bias — The normalcy bias, or normality bias, refers to a mental state people enter when facing a disaster. It causes people to underestimate both the possibility of a disaster occurring and its possible effects. This often results in situations where… …   Wikipedia

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