ex cathedra

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The Word of the Day for December 26 is:

ex cathedra   \eks-kuh-THEE-druh ("th" is as in "think")\   adjective 
     : by virtue of or in the exercise of one's office or position 

Example sentence:
     Andrew seems to think that his new position as supervisor gives him the ex 
cathedra privilege of taking excessively long lunch breaks.

Did you know? 
     "Ex cathedra" is a Latin phrase, meaning not "from the cathedral," but 
"from the chair." The phrase does have religious origins though: it was 
originally applied to decisions made by Popes from their thrones. According to 
Roman Catholic doctrine, a Pope speaking ex cathedra on issues of faith or 
morals is infallible. In general use, the phrase has come to be used with 
regard to statements made by people in positions of authority, and it is often 
used ironically to describe someone speaking with overbearing or unwarranted 
self-certainty.





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