Writing: Word Breakdown – Unanimous

I was listening to the news and heard the word “unanimous” and the way the person said it my brain began playing with the word. Un-animus. Huh.

So Un means not.  Easy enough.

Animus is the root word of animosity. Meaning hostility but it also means “motivation to do something”  (i.e. The animus for change came after the accident)

So un-animus would be not-hostile or not-motivated to do something.  Am I the only one fascinated by this word now?

I used to think unanimous meant everyone agreed.  Now I am thinking it can have a lot more depth of meaning.  I know I’m going to forever have to use it with more purpose.

Think about it, congress passes stupid legislation “unanimously” are they doing it because there is no hostility or before they don’t want to come up with something better? (yes, the news story was about something that passed congress unanimously).

I know I’m never going to hear this word the same – and will probably have to work not to ask people whether they are just not-hostile or are they too lazy to present another option. Oh, and I definitely read it as un-animous instead of u-nanimous. And if I’m joining in a vote that will be unanimous.  Am I hostile? Ok, can I come up with another option? Maybe I should.