pertinacity
noun

- the quality of being determined to achieve a particular aim despite difficulties or opposition

Oxford Learner’s Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

The word "pertinacity" originates from the Latin word pertinacia, which means "firmness" or "obstinacy”, from Latin pertinax, which itself is a compound of per- (meaning "thoroughly" or "very") and tenax (meaning "holding fast," derived from tenere, "to hold").

First appearing in English in the 15th century, pertinacity has maintained a meaning centered on stubbornness or tenacious persistence. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that someone might be excessively or annoyingly persistent.

Over time, *pertinacity* has evolved in its application, now used to describe both admirable determination and an unyielding stance, depending on context.

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“IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED…”

The popular adage "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" has inspired numerous humorous and satirical variations over the years. Here are some notable mockeries of this truism:

The most famous parody is often attributed to comedian W.C. Fields:

- “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it."

While this quote is widely associated with Fields, there's some uncertainty about whether he actually said it. The earliest known attribution to Fields appeared in 1949, after his death.

Several other witty twists on the original saying have emerged:

- "If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.” (Anonymous, c. 1980s)

- "If at first you don't succeed, try two more times so that your result is statistically significant." (Anonymous, c. 2010s)

- "If at first you don't succeed, call it version 1.0." (Anonymous, c. 1990s)

- "If at first you don't succeed, have a beer." (The New Yorker, 1991)

Some versions take a more cynical or pessimistic view:

- "If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style." (Quentin Crisp, c. 1968)

- "If at first you don't succeed you're running about average." (M. H. Alderson, 1955)

- "If at first you don't succeed, you'll get a lot of unsolicited advice." (Anonymous, c. 1960s)

A few variations offer somewhat practical (if tongue-in-cheek) advice:

- "If at first you don't succeed, try reading the instructions!" (Harry Stine, 1962)

- "If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way your wife told you." (Evan Esar, 1968)

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SYNONYMS

a brick wall, a bulldog's grip, a relentless machine, adamancy, all the way, allegiance, an iron will, application, ardour, assiduity, backbone, bear down, beat a dead horse, beating the odds, bound and determined, bulldog tenacity, bullheaded, carrying on, come rain or shine, commitment, committed spirit, constancy, continuance, continuing effort, courage, dedication, determination, determined spirit, diligence, dogged determination, doggedness, drive, durability, effort, endurance, energy, fidelity, fight tooth and nail, firmness, firmness of purpose, fixed as the northern star, follow through, fortitude, going the distance, grinding, grit, gumption, guts, hammer away at, hang in there, hang tough, hard-headedness, heart, holding on, holding power, hustle, indefatigability, industriousness, insistence, intransigence, iron will, keep at it, keep going, keep one's chin up, keep one's head above water, keep one's nose to the grindstone, keep pushing, keep trying, keep up the fight, keeping at it, keeping your nose to the grindstone, lasting power, like a dog with a bone, long haul, longevity, loyalty, mean business, mettle, never let up, never say die, no matter what, not letting go, not taking no for an answer, obstinacy, patience, perseverance, persevering spirit, persistency, PERTINACITY, pluck, plugging along, plugging away, pursuance, pushiness, pushing forward, relentlessness, resilience, resolute as a rock, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, rugged determination, run the course, sedulousness, sheer will, slogging it out, spine, spunk, stamina, staying power, steadfastness, steadiness, stick-to-it-iveness, stick-to-itiveness, stickability, sticking power, sticking with it, stomach for battle, stubbornness, tenaciousness, tenacity, the long haul, the tortoise wins the race, tirelessness, tooth and nail, true grit, unflagging, unrelenting, unstoppability, unswerving, unwavering (focus), will, willpower

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“His PERTINACITY could turn a brief chat about the weather into a two-hour lecture on climate change!”

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