
Alexis Manenti in The Glorious Acceptance of Nicolas Chauvin, 2018
Image: IMDb
A.Word.A.Daywith Anu Garg
chauvinist
PRONUNCIATION:
MEANING:
noun: One who believes in the superiority of one’s country, group, gender, etc.
adjective: Believing in or relating to such beliefs.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Nicolas Chauvin, a legendary French soldier in Napoleon’s army, noted for his fanatical patriotism. The figure of Nicolas Chauvin was popularized in the play La Cocarde Tricolore by the Cogniard brothers. Earliest documented use: 1877. The concept is known as chauvinism.
NOTES:
Nicolas Chauvin supposedly loved Napoleon so much he made modern fanboys look like stoics. He was wounded 17 times, yet couldn’t stop singing La Marseillaise. Whether he actually existed is debated, but his overzealous devotion gave us chauvinism.
Originally, a chauvinist was an ultra-patriot, but over time the term broadened to include sexism, partisanship, and group smugness of every stripe. From “My country, right or wrong” it became “My anything, right or wrong.” Wrong, who said wrong, mine’s always right. Actually, mine’s better.