palladium
noun

- something that affords effectual protection or security

- a statue of Pallas whose preservation was believed to ensure the safety of Troy

- the chemical element of atomic number 46, a rare silvery-white metal resembling platinum.

Merriam-Webster, Oxford Languages

—

WORD ORIGIN

The word "palladium" has a rich etymology with two main origins:

Referring to a statue of Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. According to legend, the Palladium was a sacred statue in Troy, and as long as it remained within the city, Troy would be invincible. The word “palladium” thus came to symbolize “protection”, or “safeguard”. Over time, this evolved to mean anything that serves as a defence or protection, particularly in political or legal contexts.

“Palladium”, the chemical element, was discovered by the English chemist William Hyde Wollaston in 1803. He named the element after the asteroid Pallas, which had been discovered two years earlier and was itself named after the Greek goddess Pallas Athena. The element palladium is known for its use in various industrial applications, including catalytic converters and electronics.

Both the mythical and chemical uses of the word share the common theme of protection — whether safeguarding a city or being used in applications like reducing emissions.

—

FORTRESS PHRASES

- A bulwark against = a person or thing that acts as a defence or protection against something.

- A knight in shining armour = someone who saves or protects another in a difficult situation.

- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure = it's better to take small protective steps to avoid larger problems later.

- Armour up = to prepare oneself mentally or emotionally for a difficult situation.

- Batten down the hatches = to prepare for trouble or protect oneself from upcoming difficulties.

- Circle the wagons = to unite in defence against a common threat or danger.

- Cover all bases = to make sure every possible action is taken to protect oneself or ensure success.

- Cover one's back = to protect someone from harm, criticism, or trouble, often in a work or personal context.

- Fortress mentality = an overly defensive or isolationist attitude.

- Guardian angel = a spirit or person believed to protect and guide someone.

- Hold the fort = to maintain a position or situation while others are absent.

- Pull up the ladder = to protect one's own position by preventing others from accessing the same opportunities or defences.

- Raise the drawbridge = to shut oneself off from external influences or protect oneself from outside threats.

- Stand guard = to protect or defend a place or person vigilantly.

- Take up the cudgels = to defend or support someone or something vigorously.

- Watchdog = a person or organization that monitors and checks for irregularities or illegal practices.

- Wrapped in cotton wool = to be overprotected or sheltered from harm.

—

SYNONYMS

a wall of protection (of safety), aegis, air cover, armament, armour, assurance, asylum, backing, barrier, bastion, bodyguard, buffer, bulwark, cloak, cocoon, cover, cushion, custody, defence (UK), defense (US), deterrence, deterrent, fence, fortification, fortress, garrison, guard, guardianship, harbour, haven, hedge, in good hands, insurance, keep, look after, PALLADIUM, preservation, rampart, refuge, safeguard, safekeeping, safety net, salvation, sanctuary, screen, security (blanket), shelter, shield, stronghold, surety, tutelage, umbrella, under lock and key (one's wing), wall (of protection, of safety), ward, wing

—

SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“Freedom of speech is often considered the PALLADIUM of a functioning democracy.”

—

Why Support OWAD?

On evenings and weekends, I research and write your daily OWAD newsletter together with Helga (my lovely wife and business partner) and our eagle-eyed daughter Jennifer. It remains FREE, AD-FREE, and ALIVE thanks to voluntary donations from appreciative readers.

If you aren’t already, please consider supporting us — even a small donation, equivalent to just 1-cup-of-coffee a month, would help us in covering expenses for mailing, site-hosting, maintenance, and service.

Just head over to DonorBox:
Please help keep OWAD alive

or

Bank transfer:
Paul Smith
IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40

Important: please state as ’Verwendungszweck’: “OWAD donation” and the email address used to subscribe to OWAD.

Thanks so much,

Paul & Helga Smith