neurasthenia was a popular way for fancy boys (and the occasional girl) to define themselves as being outside of the boring old world during the Victorian age. it implied that you were too tired to do anything but lounge around, languidly dispensing Wildean witticisms. today's equivalent might be chronic fatigue syndrome. since i don't get any restful sleep, and i can't function before noon, i could claim CFS, but really, neurasthenia sounds so much more glamourous. perhaps we of the insurmountably lazy ilk should bring the term back to life. perhaps we could, if it required little to no effort.

Neu*ras`the*ni"a (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. nerve + weakness.] Med.

A condition of nervous debility supposed to be dependent upon impairment in the functions of the spinal cord.

 

© Webster 1913.

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