Nepotism
/ˈnɛp.ə.tɪ.zəm/noun
The practice of giving unfair advantages or jobs to relatives.
Did you know?The word traces back to popes who elevated their nephews to powerful offices, and the Latin root *nepos* could mean both “grandson” and “nephew,” making family loyalty a built-in path to power.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
nepos
“grandson; descendant; nephew”
16th Century
Italian
nepotismo
“favoritism shown to nephews, especially by popes”
17th Century
French
népotisme
“the practice of favoring relatives in office or patronage”
17th Century
English
nepotism
“favoritism toward relatives, especially in granting offices or jobs”