What is the meaning of ‘invidious’?
(Y. N. Murthy, Hyderabad)
This is a word that is mostly used in formal contexts. It comes from the Latin ‘invidia’ meaning ‘envy’ or ‘malice’. When you refer to a task as being ‘invidious’, what you mean is that it is likely to be rather unpleasant; one that could cause resentment or a lot of unhappiness.
*He was given the invidious task of commenting on his boss’ work.
The word can also mean ‘offensively unfair’ or ‘discriminating’. An ‘invidious comparison’ is one where you are made to compare two things which are very different. The comparison can sometimes be made difficult because the two objects are either equally good or equally bad.
*As a mother, she resented the invidious comparison between the two children.
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“Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.” — Dave Barry
S. UPENDRAN
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