Kynisk

Kynisk is a Danish adjective meaning cynical. It describes a person or attitude characterized by skepticism about others’ motives and a belief that people act primarily out of self-interest. In everyday language it can refer to statements, behavior, or outlooks that appear harsh, jaded, or distrustful toward sincerity, generosity, and altruism. The term can carry a negative connotation, but it may also be used descriptively about a sentiment rather than a moral judgment.

Etymology and background: The word derives from the Greek kynikos, meaning dog-like, a label given to the Cynics, a school of philosophy in ancient Greece led by Diogenes of Sinope. The term passed into Latin as cynicus and into the vernaculars of many European languages, including Danish kynisk, Swedish kynisk, and Norwegian kynisk. In modern usage, kynisk often connotes a broader stance of skepticism toward human virtue, rather than strictly adherence to the ancient philosophical program.

Usage in Scandinavian languages: In Danish and other Scandinavian languages, kynisk is commonly used to describe ordinary attitudes toward people’s motives, as well as more general critiques of political or social life. It is usually negative but not exclusively so; some contexts describe a principled, if harsh, realism.