Copacetic: Variant(s): also
co·pa·set·ic or co·pe·set·ic /
"kO-p&-'se-tik/
Function: adjective
Etymology: origin unknown
Definition: "very satisfactory"
Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary online.
World Wide Words: "Fine,
excellent, going just right." It’s possible that this word
has created more column inches of speculation in the USA than any other
apart from OK. It’s rare to the point of invisibility outside
North America. People mostly become aware of it in the sixties as a
result of the US space program—it’s very much a Right Stuff
kind of word.
"A ...frequent explanation is that it derives from one of two
Hebrew expressions, hakol b’seder, “all is in order”, or kol
b’tzedek, “all with justice”, which it is suggested were introduced
into the USA by Yiddish-speaking Jewish immigrants. Yet other accounts
say it derives from a Chinook word copasenee, “everything is
satisfactory”, once used on the waterways of Washington State, or from
the French coupersetique, from couper, “to strike”, or
from the French phrase copain(s) c’est épatant! (“buddy(s),
that’s great!”).
[Michael Quinion, World Wide Words,
http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-cop1.htm]
Kopes-etic: Relating to the distinctly
skeptical, forward-looking, optimistic, innovative, and mildly revolutionary perspective on
health care of Colin Kopes-Kerr, MD, JD, MPH
Kopes-eticHealth.com: The new
web-based source of contemporary information on primary health care for
professionals and consumers. Sponsors of the novel health care e-zine, "FP
Revolution."
Sign Up for our free weekly newsletter:
FP
Revolution...
To See the Hottest New Issue --
Click Here.
(To see Readers' Comments on These Issues --
Click here.

Check Out Our New
Book Review
Page!
Taking Care of Yourself Is Simple...
Try Our Universal Patient Education Sheet!

[Click here to download
English version.]
[Click here for Spanish version.]
|

What's New?
-
FP Revolution
E-zine:
starting distribution:
January 1, 2007
- How to Help Your Doctor: A new manual of empowered
self-care for consumers.
- Suggestions for taking care of patients in the office and how to
document it better
 |