66.5.

Peculiar people peculiar to a peculiar time. Who are we today? Which peculiarities are we letting slip by unhindered? While we sleep the people we elect to govern us not only plot to work our families to the bone but also consider what type of fertiliser our remains will make. The world has not changed much. Our masters, g_ds and own stupidities still have us by the balls. I don’t go for hoping or praying but I do wish that the future holds a looser grip. We all deserve at least the opportunity to create a less predictable existence. Or do we?                                                                        (2009)

45.3.

GREED

greedy |ˈgrēdē|

adjective ( greedier , greediest )

having or showing an intense and selfish desire for something, esp. wealth or power : greedy thieves who plundered a defense contractor.

• having an excessive desire or appetite for food.

DERIVATIVES

greedily |-dəlē| adverb

greediness noun

ORIGIN Old English grǣdig, of Germanic origin.

THE RIGHT WORD

The desire for money and the things it can buy is often associated with Americans. But not all Americans are greedy, which implies an insatiable desire to possess or acquire something, beyond what one needs or deserves (: greedy for profits). Greedy is especially derogatory when the object of longing is itself evil or when it cannot be possessed without harm to oneself or others (: a reporter greedy for information).

Someone who is greedy for food might be called gluttonous, which emphasizes consumption as well as desire (: a gluttonous appetite for sweets).