Stymieing: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• 'Stymie' originated in golf, where it meant to have an opponent's ball in the way of your shot.
• The term comes from the Scottish dialect word 'stymie', which refers to a block or an obstruction in play.
• It started being used in everyday English around the early 20th century.

Pop Culture

• The word has appeared in various films, often depicting characters facing significant obstacles.
• In the popular board game 'Monopoly,' players can feel stymied when they can't afford properties.
• Comic book stories often feature heroes getting stymied by villains, adding to the dramatic tension.

Science

• In environmental science, certain policies can stymie progress on important sustainability initiatives.
• Research in psychology shows that when people are stymied in their goals, it can lead to increased frustration and stress.
• In programming, bugs can stymie developers, delaying projects and requiring creative problem-solving.

Literature

• Authors often use the concept of being stymied to illustrate character conflicts and struggles in novels.
• In classical literature, heroes frequently encounter obstacles that stymie their journeys, enriching the plot.
• Poetic works sometimes reflect feelings of being stymied through metaphors of barriers and closed doors.

Psychology

• Feeling stymied can lead to cognitive dissonance, where one's beliefs conflict with their actions.
• Being stymied is often associated with a stagnation in personal growth or development.
• Studies show that prolonged stymieing situations can contribute to anxiety and decreased motivation.

At position #42,471, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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