Nostradamus

English

Etymology 1

Michel de Nostredame's surname is one that honors Saint Mary (Our Lady). More details (if desired) are available at Nostradamus § Childhood.

Proper noun

Nostradamus

1. A French astrologer and author of prophecies who lived in the early 1500s.
2. (by extension) Someone who makes accurate prophecies.
   • 2024 November 8, Joe Edwards, “Allan Lichtman Admits He Was Wrong About Harris Election Win, Explains Why”, in Newsweek‎^[1]:

     The so-called "Nostradamus" of U.S. elections has admitted he was wrong after former—and now future—president Donald Trump won the 2024 contest despite his prediction that Vice President Kamala Harris would emerge victorious.

Translations

Nostradamus

• Arabic: نُوسْتْرَادَامُوس m (nustradāmus)
• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 諾斯托拉達姆斯／诺斯托拉达姆斯 (Nuòsītuōlādámǔsī), 諾斯特拉達姆士／诺斯特拉达姆士 (Nuòsītèlādámǔshì), 諾特達姆／诺特达姆 (Nuòtèdámǔ)

• Georgian: ნოსტრადამუსი (nosṭradamusi)
• Hebrew: נוסטרדמוס
• Hindi: नोस्ट्राडेमस (nosṭrāḍemas)
• Japanese: ノストラダムス (Nosutoradamusu)
• Korean: 노스트라다무스 (Noseuteuradamuseu)
• Russian: Нострада́мус m (Nostradámus)
• Thai: นอสตราดามุส (nôttraadaamút)

Etymology 2

Since before 1908. Most likely from wordplay among physicians, as a playful agent noun for quacks who give nostrums to their patients, playing on wide familiarity with a cultural reference to the famous (and dubiously effective) Nostradamus.

Noun

Nostradamus (plural Nostradamuses)

1. (dated) Any quack doctor or charlatan.

See also

• nostrums