[Loch-Ruadh] word of the day

[Jane Sitton]

The Word of the Day for October 4 is:  myrmidon * \MER-muh-dahn\ * (noun):
a loyal follower; especially:  a subordinate who executes orders
unquestioningly or unscrupulously

Example Sentence:  When DeVour, Inc. was accused of unsavory dealings, even
company myrmidons like Bruce were held accountable.

Did you know?  The Myrmidons, legendary inhabitants of Thessaly in Greece,
were known for their fierce devotion to their king, Achilles, who led them
in the Trojan War.  "Myrmex" means "ant" in Greek, an image that evokes
small and insignificant workers mindlessly fulfilling their duty.  Whether
the original Myrmidons were given their name for that reason is open to
question.  The "ant" association is strong, however.  Some say the name is
from a legendary ancestor who once had the form of an ant; others say the
Myrmidons were actually transformed from ants.  In any case, since the
1600s, we've employed "myrmidon" in its not-always-complimentary,
ant-evoking, figurative sense.