pernicious

[per-NISH-uhs]
Popcast Phonetic: “per-NISH-us” — like that feeling when someone nibbles your last slice of pizza and you’re trying to stay calm.

Phonetic (Standard) IPA: (Add a bitter beer face here)

adjective — having a harmful effect, especially in a subtle or gradual way; sneaky mischief, like a villain in a thriller who whispers, “Oops…” while your Wi-Fi dies.

EXPLANATION

Pernicious describes something that quietly causes damage over time, like the plot hole in a movie that slowly destroys your suspension of disbelief, or popcorn grease staining your favorite hoodie after one too many kernels. It’s trouble that sneaks in, like a friend who says “I’ll only eat half a slice,” and then somehow finishes the whole pie. In a world full of sneak attacks, sharp twists, and slow burns, pernicious is the word of the quietly catastrophic — think Inception mind-trip vibes crossed with a Netflix psychological thriller, the perfect storm.

ORIGIN

Late 15th century; from Latin perniciōsus, meaning “destructive” or “ruinous.” Translation: humans have been dealing with slow-burn problems since long before pizza delivery apps and modern gyms.

EXAMPLE

The villain’s pernicious plan was so slow-moving that the heroes thought, “We’ve got time,” and then suddenly the popcorn was burnt, the pizza was cold, and nobody knew how it happened. Queue up evil laugh here.

HOW TO USE

Use pernicious when something causes harm quietly over time, like the slow realization that a “quick scroll” turned into three hours, the pizza is gone, the popcorn bowl is empty, and you somehow watched an entire season you didn’t even mean to start, or you had tacos for lunch, now your stomachs been bubbling, and as evening approaches you begin to fear the worst.